The blasts of the shofar are already emanating from the synagogues, reminding us that we have entered the month of Elul, the month of repentance and mercy. Another year is drawing to a close, and in a few weeks we will stand before the King of Kings on the High Holy Days.<\/p>\r\n
The days of Elul are a time of soul-searching, self-examination, regret for things that may not have been as they should have been, and making good decisions for the future. Naturally, dealing with these matters instills in us a sense of seriousness and gravity, and this is compounded by the fear of the approaching days of judgment.<\/p>\r\n
However, Chassidism illuminates the month of Elul in a new light. These are days of great love and immense closeness on the part of the Creator of the world to us. This is expressed in the well-known parable "The King in the Field," by Rabbi Shneur-Zalman of Ladi (founder of Chabad Chassidism), in his book "Lekuti Torah.".<\/p>\r\n
Accepts us as we are<\/strong><\/p>\r\n In this month, God is likened to a king who goes out into the field and allows anyone who wishes to approach him and express all their wishes to him. In normal times, it is difficult for the ordinary citizen to reach the king. He must have special qualities in order for the king to agree to meet with him. However, there are times when 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 is nothing between him and the ordinary citizen. Anyone who wishes can approach him and present his requests.<\/p>\r\n There is another important detail in this parable \u2013 all year round, even if a person is given the opportunity to meet the king, he is required to dress in appropriate clothes and learn the rules of etiquette practiced in the royal palace. In contrast, when the king goes out into the field, he meets the people as they are \u2013 in work clothes, dusty and sweaty, rough and vulgar.<\/p>\r\n It is the month of Elul. During these days, the Creator of the world comes to us and meets us as we are. Even if we do not have appropriate 'clothes' (Torah and good deeds). Even if our souls are covered in dust from everyday troubles. Even if we are not perfect and full of flaws.<\/p>\r\n And Rabbi Shneur-Zalman adds that the king receives all who come with a beautiful countenance and shows a kind face to everyone. Not only does he listen to the requests of the people, he also fulfills them with joy and a cheerful countenance. The Creator illuminates upon us the thirteen attributes of mercy, and therefore these are days of love that are priceless.<\/p>\r\n Time to wake up<\/strong><\/p>\r\n The expression of this immense revelation from the Creator is the awakening that surrounds us during the days of Elul. Our soul senses the 'king' who is in the 'field.' In the heart of every Jew, whoever he may be and whatever his actions may be, a certain awakening is felt during the days of Elul. He is not always aware of its meaning; he does not always know how to direct it in the right directions. But he feels the need to change, to improve; he feels a longing for something spiritual, something higher.<\/p>\r\n There is only one thing we must do \u2013 go out to the King, turn to Him, open our hearts. And when we do so, we will surely receive a good writing and signature for a good and sweet year.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u05d1\u05dc\u05d1 \u05db\u05dc \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d3\u05d9, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d9\u05d4 \u05de\u05d9 \u05e9\u05d9\u05d4\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d9\u05d4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05de\u05e2\u05e9\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d0\u05e9\u05e8 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d9\u05d5, \u05de\u05d5\u05e8\u05d2\u05e9\u05ea \u05d4\u05ea\u05e2\u05d5\u05e8\u05e8\u05d5\u05ea \u05de\u05e1\u05d5\u05d9\u05de\u05ea \u05d1\u05d9\u05de\u05d9 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d5\u05dc. \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d7\u05e9 \u05db\u05de\u05d9\u05d4\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d3\u05d1\u05e8 \u05de\u05d4 \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05d5\u05df","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":680328,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[6238],"class_list":["post-840611","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-138","tag-6238"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n