Tomorrow the Shabbos before the month of Elul, and the day on which we bless the new month. Elul is a special month in the Jewish calendar. Being that it is the last month of the Jewish year, Elul is a time for self-reflection. We look deep within ourselves and ask, "Am I ready for Rosh Hashanah? Did I accomplish the goals I set forth last year? Am I a better person going in to the new year?"
Honestly, for many of us the answers are not satisfactory. Most of us forgot about our resolutions, and so many made mistakes along the way. Fortunately, this regret is exactly what is needed.
Elul is our chance to rectify the mistakes of the past year and get ourselves ready for the upcoming judgement. It is the regret we feel when looking back that compels is to do better. Of course remorse alone is not enough, but it is the starting point from which we make amends.
Sometimes it feels as if G-d is so far away, so far removed from our daily lives that we wonder what good our Teshuva (repentance, or return) is. But during the month of Elul, we are told that "The King is in the Field", that G-d comes down to our level and is accessible by all, even the simple farmers. It is a special time to reconnect with our Source, and become batter Jews.
As we welcome in the month of Elul, let's remember that we are welcoming G-d in as well. Let's do our best to make sure we enter Rosh Hashanah with our heads held high, proud of all we have accomplished.
Wishing you an inspiring Shabbos,
Mendel and Chaya
