A few notes about the month of Elul and its uniqueness

    • * The month of Elul is a time given to us to prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We have 40 days of repentance that take us to the highest level of Keter during the Neilah prayer at the end of Yom Kippur. The world was created during the last week of this month, and as a result, we have the revelation of the thirteen attributes of mercy. We connect to it during the Selichot and Rosh Hashanah prayers and Yom Kippur prayers. The Zohar tells us that in this month, Moses went up the mountain to ask God’s mercy and forgive the Israelites for the sin of the Golden Calf (Zohar Chadash Ki Tetze).

* Isaiah 55:6“דִּרְשׁוּ יְהוָה בְּהִמָּצְאוֹ קְרָאֻהוּ בִּהְיוֹתוֹ קָרוֹב.”“Seek YHVH while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.”

The sages teach us that during the month of Elul, God is with us, and it’s the best time to pray and plead with God to forgive our past sins and accept our prayers.

The ‘Sefat Emet,’ Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, tells us that the days of Elul are like the time of Mincha of Shabbat, which is the time of goodwill when our prayers are most accepted.

    • * The initials of the word Elul אלול

      This comes from Songs 6:3
      “אֲנִי לְדוֹדִי וְדוֹדִי לִי הָרֹעֶה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים.”
      “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine; he pastures his flock among the lilies.”This verse has the initials of אלול, Elul, to tell us about the close relationship that we have with our ‘beloved’, YHVH.
    • * Esther 9:22“וּמִשְׁלֹחַ מָנוֹת אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ, וּמַתָּנוֹת לָאֶבְיֹנִים”“food to one another and gifts to the poor.”
    • * After Rosh Chodesh, we add Shofar blowing after the morning prayers using the sequence that will be done during Rosh Hashanah, תשר”ת תש”ת תר”ת.The purpose of the blowings during Elul is to open our hearts to make Teshuva repentance to cleanse our souls for Rosh Hashanah.
    • * Do good and avoid all negativity.
    • * No evil speech. The ‘prosecutor’ would use your words against you during your court appearance on the Rosh Hashanah trial.
    • * Elul is a good time to check Tefilin and Mezuzot, and we need to give it to a reliable person.
    • * Elul is a good time for weddings and other engagements.
    • * Study every available minute.
    • * Study after midnight, Tikkun Chatzot.
    • * Elul is the sixth month, counting from the month of Nisan. It has the aspect of Yessod, the sixth sefira that delivers the Light to our world, Malchut. The connection to Yessod is made with prayers and Tzedakah that have a significant impact and benefit, especially this month.
    • * The letters of the month are פו
    • * The YHVH letters related to this month are ההוי. They come from Deuteronomy 6:25“It will be Tzedakah (righteousness) for us.”

      The two הה come together to represent Malchut and Binah, which connect together by Tzedakah.

    • * Reading Tikunei Zohar during the 40 days is highly recommended by the Kabbalists. It helps to cleanse our souls. Use Unity Tikunim on UnityZohar.com
    • **** Chodesh Tov ****

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