Rabbi Mitchell Kornspan
As we ready ourselves for the High Holy Days, the Rebbetzin and I would like to wish you and your loved ones a “K’tivah V’chatimah L’tovah.” May you be written and sealed in the Book of Life, for a happy and healthy New Year. We look forward to seeing you with us in shul.
The famous Chayai Adam, Rav Avraham Danzig, wrote some fascinating thoughts concerning Rosh Hashanah. He taught that the Holy One loved His people so much that He wished them to have the mitzvah of returning to Him at any time in repentance. Nevertheless, even though tshuvah (repentance) could be achieved at any time, the month of Elul which precedes Rosh Hashanah is considered very efficacious.
This was a reality from the beginning of our people. When the Israelites sinned with the golden calf and the Ten Commandments were shattered, it was the 17th of Tammuz. Moses ascended Mount Sinai and prayed for his people, as they implored G-d for forgiveness. By Rosh Hodesh Elul, Moses was on the mount in order to receive the second set of Ten Commandments. He arrived with them and G-d’s promise of forgiveness on the day we know as Yom Kippur, establishing G-d’s compassion forever.
The custom of blowing the shofar during the month of Elul was also traced to the fact that Moses sounded the shofar before he ascended Mount Sinai. Since the Israelites were forgiven by G-d on the tenth of Tishrei, it became a singular day of atonement, Yom Kippur.
The name Elul itself holds some significant meanings. Each of the 4 letters of Elul stands for a Hebrew word: “Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li, I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine.” An intimation to increase the number of mitzvot we perform before the High Holidays is also found: “Ish L’rayayhu Umatanot L’evyonim, each sends friends portions and gifts (tzedakah) to the poor.”
So what then is the ideal? At this time of year, we try to perform the mitzvot with greater energy and zeal, especially those found in the “Unetaneh Tokef”—REPENTANCE, PRAYER, AND TZEDAKAH.
May this year of 5769 be one of health, happiness, and fulfillment.
And may we see peace in Israel and the world. Amen.
B’shalom,
Rabbi Mitchell H. Kornspan