The Month of Elul
Elul is a very interesting month. On the one hand it’s a very spiritually charged month. It’s called Chodesh HaRachamim, the month of mercy, when the 13 Attributes of Mercy were revealed to us. It’s also called the month of selichot, forgiveness.
But on the other hand, it’s a regular month, without holidays and holiday prayers. It’s somewhat routine, with our regular schedule in place. And yet there’s a pervasive energy and feeling in Elul. Because the Almighty has left the palace and He is now in the field, so to speak.
The entire year God remains in the palace. When a king is in the palace, a person needs an appointment to see the king. There’s a lot of red tape. One makes an appointment and even then he may have to wait. A person must dress a certain way and act a certain way when in the environs of the king’s royal household.
But when the king is in the field, we are more relaxed, less formal, more intimate. And everyone has equal access – the simple layman has the same access as the righteous scholar. There’s a lightness, a happiness and extraordinary display of connection and intimacy with everyone.
The month of Elul is called the month of courtship between God and the Jewish people. When we’re in courtship, we function in a very different mode of behavior. We put effort into discovering who the other person is and what they’re all about. Although there’s a desire to find out who the other person truly is, we still display the better, more developed parts of ourselves. We are in courtship after all.
But we’re not committed yet. It’s still a time of exploration. The function of courtship is to discover the other person in order to decide if we want to delve into a deeper, more connected relationship with the other.
So the king of kings comes out into the field, the place where we’re not dressed up with external superficialities. Let’s call it a more relaxed date. He wants to get to know us as we are, our values, our priorities, our character, what we’re willing to sacrifice for. And we are trying to get to know Him without all the bureaucracy. He’s more open, more available, perhaps even more vulnerable if we can use such adjectives.
When a couple gets engaged, and then newly married, I often advise not to forget the courtship. To go from dating, which is literally just spending time together and enjoying each other’s company, to handling details of planning a wedding and setting up a home is a very stark contrast of interaction. So I remind a couple – don’t forget to date. Relish in those simple, light-hearted and straightforward activities and conversations. Remember that you enjoy each other’s company and sharing of ideas. Continue to learn about each other.
In our ever-evolving relationship with our Creator, may this Elul be a month of wonderful excitement as we take pleasure in the company of our Father, and our King. May we be open to His company and His presence and may it strengthen our resolve to be committed to Him.
Chodesh tov.