There is a story about one of the great Hasidic scholars who, as a child, asked to learn the game of chess. He was taught the rules, and among other things, was told that once a move is made, it is impossible to regret it.
The child responded and said: "If so, this is not a game for me. A Jew knows that there is always a way of correction and repentance.".
The month of Elul, which we entered this week, is the month of repentance and correction. Even if we have sinned and walked in distorted paths, we are now given the opportunity to correct. Nothing is lost. It is always possible to return to the King's Road, especially in the month of Elul.
The people are invited.
The essence of the month of Elul is illustrated by a parable brought by Rabbi Shneur-Zalman of Ladi, founder of Chabad Hasidism, in his book 'Lekoti Torah'. In this month, God is likened to a king who goes out into the field and allows anyone who wishes to do so to approach him and express all their wishes before him.
In normal times, it is difficult for an ordinary person to reach the king. He must possess special qualities for the king to agree to meet with him, and even more so for him to listen to his requests and fulfill them.
However, there is a situation where the king goes out to the people, to the open field. There he is not surrounded by a wall of secretaries, clerks, and office managers. There nothing stands between him and the common citizen. Anyone who wishes can approach him and present his requests.
And Rabbi Shneur-Zalman adds that the king receives all who come with a cheerful countenance and shows a cheerful countenance to everyone. The king hears the words of the people, and even fulfills their requests with joy and cheerfulness. There is only one thing the people are required to do – go out to the king.
To take advantage of the rare and precious time when the King is very close to each and every one, and to approach him.
Throughout the year, it is necessary to fulfill certain requirements in order to 'reach' God. Why doesn't every person deserve to have their prayer answered? Because they are not pure and chaste enough to ensure that their prayer will have its effect.
""Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?" asks King David in the Psalms, and answers: "He who has clean hands and a pure heart.".
But in the month of Elul, the 'King' goes out into the 'field'. The limitations that exist throughout the year fall away and disappear. Every ordinary person, like you and me, can be accepted by God, draw close to Him with immense closeness, and ask for all the desires of their heart. God opens all the gates before us and shines upon us with His great light. His hand is extended to us with great love.
Days of grace and mercy
The days of Elul are days of kindness and mercy, in which we must practice these qualities even among one another. To bless one another, to wish one another good writing and signing, to teach virtue, to find the bright spot in every person of Israel.
The love that God bestows upon us must be integrated with great love between us, between His sons.
If we properly utilize the days of Elul, both in our personal and public lives, we will be able to correct the things that require correction, make good resolutions for ourselves for the new year, and we will merit that the Creator of the world and its leader will bless each and every one of us and all of us together with a good and sweet year, the year of true and complete redemption through our righteous Messiah.
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