Seen by the Kabbalists as a holy time, Elul takes a place of prominence in our calendar. One mystical interpretation teaches that the letters of E-L-U-L (aleph-lamed-vav-lamed) indicate that this month is a gift of God's love for the Jewish people, since these letters also stand for Ani L'dodi Ve'dodi Li, the words of love found in Song of Songs. What is this gift of love given by God? It is an opportunity for the Jewish people to engage in cheshbon ha nefesh, an accounting of the soul. This preparation allows us to enter the month of Tishrei and the Yamim Nora'im, the Days of Awe, with an honest acknowledgement of our contribution and our responsibility to our selves, our families and our communities.
During the month of Elul, we look toward Tishrei, not only internally, but through our external actions, as well. It is a time of repair, of accepting responsibility for our mistakes of the past year and apologizing to those we've hurt. As we learn in the Mishna, for sins bein adam le Makom, between humans and God, the Day of Atonement atones. But for sins bein adam le chavero, between human beings, the Day of Atonement does not atone until we have apologized and forgiven one another. This opportunity to clean the slate begins in Elul.
In addition to the work we must do individually, we make Elul a special time within our community, as well. During Elul, we begin to wish each other a Shana tova u'metuka, a wonderful and sweet new year. The shofar is blown each morning during this month. It is a reminder of the great shofar blasts of the coming month. One week before Rosh Hashanah, we observe Selichot, a communal time to begin asking for forgiveness. This year, Selichot is observed Saturday night, September 20.
As we enter Elul, let us each take the time to review the year which is drawing to a close. May we find the courage to apologize to those we've hurt. May we find the strength to forgive those who hurt us. And may we be inspired to begin a new year of blessing and gratitude to God for all that we share.
Shana tova u'metuka!
–