The summer months have come and gone. We are now in the special month of Elul, the month when the “king is in the field,” and we have special powers to strengthen our connection with the Ribbono Shel Olam.
Why do we need an entire month to do t’shuva when one thought is enough to switch from rasha to tzaddik? * What is the practical implication of the King displaying a smiling countenance? * What is the difference between bittul and lack of self-esteem? * How does lack of self-esteem affect a person’s service of Hashem? * These and other questions were asked of Rabbi Nadav Cohen, sought after lecturer and author of a book on Tanya. He clarifies what our job is in the month of Elul
A selection from the Rebbe Rashab’s Hemshech Ayin-Beis (pg. 146-148), dealing with t’shuva at the levels of Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshama. * Presented in the Month of Elul, when we make a soul-assessment of our service of G-d throughout the year
A point from the weekly D’var Malchus with a relevant message to our lives. * Is the avodas Hashem of the month of Elul connected only with “ani l’dodi” or also to ‘v’dodi lee?”
A compilation from the Rebbe’s teachings about the benefit of staying in yeshiva and properly using the time of Elul and Tishrei
There are times when the king comes out to the fields outside the city. At such times, anyone can approach him; the king receives them all with a smiling face and a radiant countenance. The peasant behind his plow has access to the king in a manner unavailable to the highest ranking minister in the royal court when the king is in the palace.
The connection between t’shuva and the advent of Moshiach is in the sense that the whole point of Moshiach is to bring about innovation, resulting in an entirely new existence. * Inspiration for t’shuva in the month of Elul.
A selection from the Rebbe Rashab’s Hemshech Ayin-Beis (pg. 146-148), dealing with t’shuva at the levels of Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshama. * Presented in the Month of Elul, when we make a soul-assessment of our service of G-d throughout the year.
Although repentance is loftier than Torah (for which reason atonement is accomplished through repentance even with regard to blemishes in and transgressions of the commandment to learn Torah), nevertheless the “revelation” of the entire matter of repentance is specifically through Torah. Indeed, this is the central point of the month of Elul: repentance expressed through rededication to Torah study.
To be sure, the King is in the field. G-d—and His chosen human redeemer, Moshiach—is here and is waiting for us to seize the opportunity to do our part in making the Redemption a tangible reality. Moshiach is waiting for us to say, “We are ready for Moshiach!” And we express that readiness by accepting Moshiach as our leader, following his directives for an enhanced commitment to Torah and its commandments, permeated with a passionate desire to usher in the Era of Redemption.
The illumination of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy is in the field, not in the desert. A desert is at the level of “‘a land that is not cultivated,’ which are those deeds, words spoken, and thoughts which are not for G-d’s sake.” In order to receive the illumination of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy requires at least the arousal of the acceptance of the yoke of the kingship of Heaven, represented by leaving (the desert), to go at least to the field, to greet the king.
September 6, 2016