Dream and Reality before Rosh Hashana

B"H 

The month of ELUL has started and all of us should be involved in Teshuva. Prayer, Tehillim or, at least, a bit of Cheshbon Nefesh. However, the truth is that, despite all our great intentions and good will, we are still pushing everything aside by thinking: "Well, we've still got time and the Ashkenazi Selichot haven't even begun !" 

I found a great picture in a haredi forum reminding us of reality. 

The first picture on the right: "How my mother thinks we should spend the time before the high holidays". - Cleaning.

The second second picture (top left): "How my Rabbi thinks I should spend the time before the high holidays". - Studying Torah.

Bottom row, right photo: "How I think spending the time before the Chagim". - Traveling.

Bottom row, left photo: "Here is how I really spend my time before the upcoming Chagim". - Asleep. Well, not always but many times this is true. 

Where do you fit in ?

Rosh Chodesh Elul - ראש חודש אלול

"The King is in the Field - HaMelech Ba'Sade"

B"H
 
Tomorrow night (Friday / Erev Shabbat) as well as on Shabbat itself and Sunday, we are celebrating the beginning of the new Jewish month ELUL (Rosh Chodesh ELUL). 

With ELUL we are entering the Teshuva period before the upcoming high holidays. This doesn't mean that we are unable to do Teshuva (Return to G - d) throughout the year. Nevertheless, that Elul is the month where we have a direct phone line (connection) to G - d.  

On Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year), G - d is going to judge the entire universe for the next upcoming year 5773: Who is going to live, who is going to die, will we be healthy, who is getting married, will there be war, peace or natural catastrophes … Everything concerning the New Year, G - d is going to decide on Rosh HaShana.  

A few days later, Rosh HaShana is followed by the highest Jewish holiday YOM KIPPUR (Day of Atonement). Whereas G - d judges His whole creation (Jews & Gentiles alike) on Rosh HaShana, the Jews are going to be specially judged on Yom Kippur. Then He is, so to speak, signing His final decision.  

This is one of the differences between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur: Rosh HaShana is a day of judgement for the entire planet. No matter if someone is Jewish or not - Jewish. Yom Kippur, however, is an entirely Jewish holiday because it only concerns the Jews and their final judgement.  

Who then doesn't want to make a good impression before G - d ? 

The month of Elul is a great opportunity for us of doing so. Sephardi Jews already start their Selichot prayers with the beginning of Elul. Ashkenazi Jews only start their Selichot on the Mozzaei Shabbat (Saturday night after Shabbat ends) before Rosh HaShana.  

The month of ELUL is a time of looking back and return. Have we reached our goals during the year ? What mistakes did we make and how can we make everything better in the future ? Where have we failed and what did we accomplish ?  

G - d is not interested in us being the most perfect people in the world. What He is interested in is that we realize our mistakes, regret and follow the intention to make everything better in the future. 

Elul is the big month of Teshuva where we have to realize that there is more to this world than eat, drink, work and sleep. In Elul, Moshe went up to Mount Sinai in order to ask G - d for forgiveness for the Golden Calf. Elul is the month of awareness in connection with the sincere intention of correcting and perfecting oneself.

The King is in the Fields - המלך בשדה

B"H


Tomorrow night, Shabbat as well as on Sunday, the Jewish world is going to celebrate the new month of ELUL (Rosh Chodesh ELUL). Elul together with Tishrei (following Elul) are my personal favourite months of the year. Others love Purim or Pessach, I am tremendously in love with Rosh HaShana and Sukkot. It doesn't mean, I am leaving out Yom Kippur but, as you know, food is missing although we have to be like angels on that day and lift ourselves up without earthly needs. Especially in Chassidut, the month of Elul is extremely important because on the 18th day, we celebrate the birth of the great chassidic master, the Baal Shem Tov (born in 1698 or 1700). 

Generally, Elul is the month of Teshuva (repentance) and this concerns all of us. On Rosh HaShana, G - d is going to judge the whole world, including Jews and non - Jews, and all of us should make some kind of an effort by getting closer to the Creator and especially by looking into ourselves. Use Elul and look at all your actions throughout the year. In Hebrew this is called "Cheshbon Nefesh" and means that you should ask yourself, where you are standing in this world. How is each Jew connected to his fellow Jew and is he having a relationship with G - d ? Could he do better and how ? 

The Baal Shem Tov said that in Elul, "The King is in the Field - HaMelech Ba'Sade". Meaning that every person is able of having an easier approach to G - d Himself. Throughout the rest of the year, G - d is usually judging or listening to our prayers through intermediaries such as His Sefirot (symbolic for His character traits). During Elul, Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, we can reach such a high level where we make G - d Himself refer to us. 

Going out in a field is not to be taken literally although many people (such as Breslover Chassidim) do go out in order to talk to G - d. And, as I said before, Elul is the time of looking and analyzing our own actions. Are we as approachable to others as G - d is ? Maybe we should learn from Him how to show some more Chesed and judge people more favourably. What would we say if G - d judged us as harsh as we sometimes judge other people ? 

Chesed (kindness), prayer and giving charity (Zedakah) are the attributes of the month of Elul. Show mercy upon others and look at the other side of a person. 

How else can we do Teshuva in Elul ?
By studying more Torah and thus getting closer to G - d. The Torah is not to be seen as a little story and book full of laws. We have to realize that the Torah is talking to us today and is giving us a special message we need to understand. If we do get the message, we will have a great and successful month of Elul and be successfully inscribed into the Book of Live (by G - d).

ELUL is coming

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Not only in chassidic thought, the month of ELUL is a vast subject. There is so much to say about ELUL and, at the moment, I am going through various sources in order to put together an informative new article on the topic. 

Personally, I love the month of Elul, as it stands for a new chance. In Chassidut we say: "The king is in the Field - HaMelech ba'Sadeh", meaning that there is no time when G - d puts Himself closer to us. Thus, this is the best time for doing a bit of Teshuva. However, this doesn't mean that Teshuva cannot be done at other times of the year too. We don't need to wait for Elul and Yom Kippur in order to change our lives. 

I also try doing some Teshuva and by going through different chassidic and other writings, I actually do get lots of food for thought. If my Teshuva attempt eventually succeeds in the end, we will see. Some attempts may and others may not. Nevertheless, I am never getting tired of  those attempts and every Elul is a new experience. Despite all kinds of failures, I never give up because there is always another day to try again. 

Well, I hope that I don't sound too much like Rabbi Nachman with that ! :-)

The month of ELUL in the Torah Codes

By Rabbi Matityahu Glazerson 

http://www.glazerson.com/aboutus.htm

A prayer can enter through all Gates

Medziborz

From the Baal Shem Tov Exhibition at the Jewish National Library in Jerusalem (July 2010)

Photo: Miriam Woelke

 B"H

"In a king's palace there are hundreds of rooms, and on the door of each room there is a different lock that requires a special key to open it. But there is a master key which can open all the locks. That is a broken heart. When a person sincerely breaks his heart before G - d his prayers can enter through all the gates and into all the rooms of the celestial palace of G - d." 

From the BAAL SHEM TOV

Thoughts on Parashat SHOFTIM

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H 

“Judges and Justice !” An important Jewish concept is to judge everyone favourably. 

However, there are situations in life when I feel that certain people just use the concept for their own purposes. Suddenly you know that when a person is doing such and such that you cannot carry our any “Kav S’chut – Benefit of a Doubt”. The dilemma is that if you say something other people may accuse you of speaking “Lashon HaRah – Slander” and remind you of your “Kav S’chut” duty. 

On the other hand, there are plenty of situations where others see you doing something but the situation itself causes them getting the wrong impression. I am giving you an easy personal example: I hardly wear skirts if I don’t have to but for frum Jews, women in pants are automatically secular. Other frum Jews regard us people living in Tel Aviv as leftists, totally secular, anti – religion, pro – Palestinian and eating pork all the time. Usually people making those claims only know Tel Aviv from a few brief visits. 

The questions comes up whether you should justify yourself once being “caught” in a questionable situation and explain others the real reason and background or if justifications are not always necessary. I can say for myself that already a long time ago, I have decided that I am sick and tired of justifying myself. I have stopped carrying about what people think of me. Maybe because I live in a big city where no one really cares.

The month of Elul grants us a great opportunity to sit down and think about what we have done, how we have dealt with situations and how we see ourselves. I have done so within the past few days and was surprised how I sometimes considered something in my life as so important and later on, it turned out to be a short period in life; just in order to pass through and me continuing with something else. People I have met and how we lost touch. Plenty of missed opportunities and too much time I have invested into projects and people what turned out to be a waste of time and thought. But this seems to be the way of life.:-)

The King is in the Fields - המלך בשדה

B"H


Tonight, tomorrow and on Wednesday, we are going go celebrate the beginning of the month (Rosh Chodesh) of ELUL. Elul together with Tishrei (following Elul) are my personal favourite months of the year. Others love Purim or Pessach, I am tremendously in love with Rosh HaShana and Sukkot. It doesn't mean, I am leaving out Yom Kippur but, as you know, food is missing although we have to be like angels on that day and lift ourselves up without earthly needs. Especially in Chassidut, the month of Elul is extremely important because on the 18th day, we celebrate the birth of the great chassidic master, the Baal Shem Tov (born in 1698 or 1700)


Generally, Elul is the month of Teshuva (repentance) and this concerns all of us. On Rosh HaShana, G - d is going to judge the whole world, including Jews and non - Jews, and all of us should make some kind of an effort by getting closer to the Creator and especially by looking into ourselves. Use Elul and look at all your actions throughout the year. In Hebrew this is called "Cheshbon Nefesh" and means that you should ask yourself, where you are standing in this world. How is each Jew connected to his fellow Jew and is he having a relationship with G - d ? Could he do better and how ?


The Baal Shem Tov said that in Elul, "The King is in the Field - HaMelech Ba'Sade". Meaning that every person is able of having an easier approach to G - d Himself. Throughout the rest of the year, G - d is usually judging or listening to our prayers through intermediaries such as His Sefirot (symbolic for His character traits). During Elul, Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, we can reach such a high level where we make G - d Himself refer to us.


Going out in a field is not to be taken literally although many people (such as Breslover Chassidim) do go out in order to talk to G - d. And, as I said before, Elul is the time of looking and analyzing our own actions. Are we as approachable to others as G - d is ? Maybe we should learn from Him how to show some more Chesed and judge people more favourably. What would we say if G - d judged us as harsh as we sometimes judge other people ?


Chesed (kindness), prayer and giving charity (Zedakah) are the attributes of the month of Elul. Show mercy upon others and look at the other side of a person.


How else can we do Teshuva in Elul ?
By studying more Torah and thus getting closer to G - d. The Torah is not to be seen as a little story and book full of laws. We have to realize that the Torah is talking to us today and is giving us a special message we need to understand. If we do get the message, we will have a great and successful month of Elul and be successfully inscribed into the Book of Live (by G - d).

Rosh Chodesh ELUL

B"H

Tonight as well as Tuesday and Wednesday, we are celebrating the beginning of the new Jewish month ELUL.

With ELUL we are entering the Teshuva period before the upcoming high holidays. This doesn't mean that we are unable to do Teshuva (Return to G - d) throughout the year; however, who doesn't want to do a least a bit of Teshuva before Rosh HaShana is coming in ? G - d is going to judge the entire universe for the next upcoming year 5771: Who is going to live, who is going to die, will we be healthy, who is getting married, will there be war, peace or natural catastrophes … Everything concerning the new year, G - d is going to decide on Rosh HaShana (Erev Rosh HaShana is on Wednesday 28 September).

A few days later, Rosh HaShana is followed by the highest Jewish holiday YOM KIPPUR. Whereas G - d judges his whole creation on Rosh HaShana, the Jews are going to be specially judged on Yom Kippur. Then He is, so to speak, signing His final decision.

This is one of the differences between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur: Rosh HaShana is a day of judgement for the entire planet. No matter if someone is Jewish or not - Jewish. Yom Kippur, however, is an entirely Jewish holiday because it only concerns the Jews and their final judgement.

Who then doesn't want to make a good impression before G - d ?

The month of Elul is a great opportunity for us of doing so. Sephardi Jews already start their Selichot prayers with the beginning of Elul. Ashkenazi Jews only start their Selichot on the Mozzaei Shabbat (Saturday night after Shabbat ends) before Rosh HaShana.

The month of ELUL is a time of looking back and return. Have we reached our goals during the year ? What mistakes did we make and how can we make everything better in the future ? Where have we failed and what did we accomplish ?

G - d is not interested in us being the most perfect people in the world. What He is interested in is that we realize our mistakes, regret and follow the intention to make everything better in the future.

Elul is the big month of Teshuva where we have to realize that there is more to this world than eat, drink, work and sleep. In Elul, Moshe went up to Mount Sinai in order to ask G - d for forgiveness for the Golden Calf. Elul is the month of awareness in connection with the sincere intention of correcting and perfecting oneself.

Sign of Elul - The SHOFAR (Rams Horn)

Prayer Doubts

B"H

Many years ago, when I was looking for my way into a religious life, I used to go crazy about certain ideas. I had forgotten about one particular episode but I suddenly remembered when I read some commentaries on the month of Elul this morning.

Especially some prayer content used to bother me in the past because I felt that I couldn't say certain sentences within some prayers. For instance the famous sentence in the morning prayer "Shacharit" when we thank G - d for having us created. Men usually say that they are grateful for not being created as a woman whereas women say that they are grateful of being created in the image of G - d.

Of course, it is upsetting and confusing when you look at the sentence men say. "Not being created as a woman" sounds like having a disease. I asked a few Rabbis and we females were told that a man is simply grateful not to be created as a woman because as a male he is able to do more Torah Mitzvot such as Tefillin or any Mitzvah not limited by time.

It is not strictly forbidden for a woman to put on Tefillin but today's custom is not to do so. However, a woman is time limited and thus free from many Mitzvot. At least those women with a family and children. There are "Mitzvot she Hazman Grama" and when a woman has to take care of her children, she cannot sit down and start praying all parts of the morning prayer. She cannot appear at the Synagogue due to feeding a baby, etc. This would be meant when a man is thanking G - d for not having him created as a woman.

I used to have many questions and was constantly searching for clarification. The problem was finding a, for me, sufficient answer.

It says that in the present month of Elul we Jews have to do "Cheshbon Nefesh". Go into ourselves, get aware of your sins and regret. In connection with the intention of trying to do everything better in the future. Nevertheless, "Cheshbon Nefesh" is not only reserved for the month of Elul but we have to be aware of our sins throughout the whole year.

It says in the Chabad book "Shaarei HaMoadim" that we cannot concentrate on all our sins every day because this may bother us to advance in finding a closer relationship to G - d. We cannot just think and regret but have to look forward and study Torah and actually do positive acts. The book refers to the "Kriat Shema - Bedtime Shema" we say every night before we go to sleep.

I remember the days when I was convinced that I would never ever say the first paragraph of the Bedtime Shema because I wasn't able to. When you pray something you should have in mind to keep it but who is able to forgive any person who has offended you during the day ? Many times I don't forgive such a person in the evening and I will not do so for a long time. Why then should I say so every day in the Bedtime Shema ? What I finally decided on my own was to leaving out the first paragraph.

Today, when I am forgetting the Bedtime Shema or fall asleep before, I do say the paragraph but still have my doubts because what I am saying is not always true.

Soul Reflections

B"H

Years ago, I participated in the 1,5 day lasting "Discovery Programme" run by Yeshivat AISH HATORAH in the Old City of Jerusalem. After the programme had ended, all participants sat together and we discussed our feelings and what we had gained from learning about Jewish identity and if there is a G - d. Before finishing up, we were told to write a letter to ourselves. Write what we feel and what we think how we would or should be in the future. The plan was that AISH would send our letter to us one or two years later.

And so it was. I received the letter addressed to myself. I actually forgot what it said but I do remember that I was shocked.

The same happened to me last Shabbat when I participated in the Shabbat programme of the Chabad Hostel "Ascent" in Safed (northern Israel).

Almost at the same time when I participated in the Discovery programme, I started learning, or in other words "Doing my first chassidic steps", in Chabad. However, in what I am trying to express, Chabad is irrelevant and it could have been any other chassidic group. When I did these first steps towards chassidic or haredi Judaism, I did have some goals I wanted to reach. In the end, not too much worked out, I left, came back, left, came back. This chain continues until today.

In the meantime I had forgotten about my first principles, had met other people, life had changed. As soon as I listened to the first lecture at Ascent run by Rabbi Shaul Leiter, everything came back to me. A soul reflection from the past. From my first goals and then I started looking at me today. In what kind of environment I live, what kind of people I know. Then again, I was shocked because it is not what I wanted.

Well, things change but for me, nothing has changed because my former goals were not just wishful thinking or some kind of imagination. When I listened to Rabbi Leiter's lecture I felt that my former goals are actually what I really want. Where I want to be.

It was a "Deja Vu" from the past which isn't just a past but in my mind and soul. This is where I see myself and now what ?

I am going to make some severe changes in my life. Especially looking for people I can connect to and who understand what I am talking about and not wasting time with artificial talks. Furthermore, I am going to change the place of living.

It is not just a mood but suddenly I feel like the person I really wanted to be and keep on trying to reach the goal. We are now in the month of ELUL, the best time for changes and searching for one's inner essence. 

Sephardic Jewry has begun its SELICHOT

B"H

Sephardi Jews have just begun with their SELICHOT prayers before Rosh HaShana. Last night I listened live on the radio to one of those services. It sounds very different from Ashkenazi Selichot which only begin on Mozzaei Shabbat before Rosh HaShana but I find the tunes very original.





Here a few interesting photos from the Sephardic Selichot prayers taking place last year. Not every Ashkenazi Jew is used to listen to the Sephardic Selichots, as they are mostly sung together with oriental melodies.









All pictures may be viewed here:

http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=6757&cat_id=1

ELUL has begun

B"H

Today and tomorrow, the Jewish world is celebrating the beginning of the month of ELUL. What happened on that day was that Moshe went up onto Mount Sinai in order to ask G - d to forgive the Jews for their sin with the Golden Calf. Fourty days later, on 10 Tishrei, Moshe returned into the Israelite camp together with the second tablets (Luchot). G - d forgave the Jews - This day we call YOM KIPPUR.

Yom Kippur is the highest Jewish holiday and the upcoming Yom Kippur in September is falling on a Shabbat. A "Shabbat Shabbaton" and when Yom Kippur falls on a Shabbat, it is the only time when we are allowed to fast on a Shabbat. Otherwise fast days such as Ta'anit Esther etc. are delayed until Sunday.

Erev Rosh HaShana (the Jewish New Year) is going to start on the evening of September 8. Then G - d is going to judge the whole world. No matter if Jew or Gentile - anything is being judged. The difference is that the Gentile world is "only" being judged for another year on Rosh HaShana itself whereas the final verdict for each individual Jew is only made on Yom Kippur (ten days later).

Now, approximately one month before G - d's judgement, we should reflect our deeds and behaviour from this outgoing year. Regret our sins and promise following a more positive path.

One custom in Elul is to blow the Shofar (rams horn) during the prayer service. This is a custom and doesn't find any mentioning in the Torah. Usually the Shofar is blown from the second day of Elul. The Shofar has the task to arouse in us the desire to return to G - d and walk in His ways.

According to the Chabad book "Sha'arei HaMoadim" another custom is praying the Mizmor "Le'David Uri …". Starting already on the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul.

The Ramban (Nachmanides) says that ELUL is not a Hebrew word but originates in ancient Babylon. The book "Sha'arei HaMoadim" states a kabbalistic concept on why Jews also use names for months (e.g. Elul or Nissan) from a foreign language such as Babylonian. Everything in this world contains a good spark and we have to elevate the good and bring it to the upper spiritual worlds. Thus, Jews do their "Tikun Olam - Soul Rectification" in this world. All seventy languages which were created by G - d (see "Migdal Bavel - the Tower of Babylon with Nimrod) thus contain good and we are taking the good spark out and elevate it.

The King is in the Fields - המלך בשדה

B"H


Tonight, tomorrow and on Wednesday, we are going go celebrate the beginning of the month (Rosh Chodesh) of ELUL. Elul together with Tishrei (following Elul) are my personal favourite months of the year. Others love Purim or Pessach, I am tremendously in love with Rosh HaShana and Sukkot. It doesn't mean, I am leaving out Yom Kippur but, as you know, food is missing although we have to be like angels on that day and lift ourselves up without earthly needs.


Especially in Chassidut, the month of Elul is extremely important because on the 18th day, we celebrate the birth of the great chassidic master, the Baal Shem Tov (born in 1698 or 1700)


Generally, Elul is the month of Teshuva (repentance) and this concerns all of us. On Rosh HaShana, G - d is going to judge the whole world, including Jews and non - Jews, and all of us should make some kind of an effort by getting closer to the Creator and especially by looking into ourselves. Use Elul and look at all your actions throughout the year. In Hebrew this is called "Cheshbon Nefesh" and means that you should ask yourself, where you are standing in this world. How is each Jew connected to his fellow Jew and is he having a relationship with G - d ? Could he do better and how ?


The Baal Shem Tov said that in Elul, "The King is in the Field - HaMelech Ba'Sade". Meaning that every person is able of having an easier approach to G - d Himself. Throughout the rest of the year, G - d is usually judging or listening to our prayers through intermediaries such as His Sefirot (symbolic for His character traits). During Elul, Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, we can reach such a high level where we make G - d Himself refer to us.


Going out in a field is not to be taken literally although many people (such as Breslover Chassidim) do go out in order to talk to G - d. And, as I said before, Elul is the time of looking and analyzing our own actions. Are we as approachable to others as G - d is ? Maybe we should learn from Him how to show some more Chesed and judge people more favourably. What would we say if G - d judged us as harsh as we sometimes judge other people ?


Chesed (kindness), prayer and giving charity (Zedakah) are the attributes of the month of Elul. Show mercy upon others and look at the other side of a person.


How else can we do Teshuva in Elul ?
By studying more Torah and thus getting closer to G - d. The Torah is not to be seen as a little story and book full of laws. We have to realize that the Torah is talking to us today and is giving us a special message we need to understand. If we do get the message, we will have a great and successful month of Elul and be successfully inscribed into the Book of Live (by G - d).

ELUL

B"H

On Monday night, 9 August 2010, we are celebrating the beginning of the new Jewish month ELUL. Rosh Chodesh ELUL is taking place on the 10 as well as the 11 August. 

With the new month we are entering the Teshuva period before the upcoming high holidays. This doesn't mean that we are unable to do Teshuva (Return to G - d) throughout the year; however, who doesn't want to do a least a bit of Teshuva before Rosh HaShana is coming in ? G - d is going to judge the entire universe for the next upcoming year 5771: Who is going to live, who is going to die, will we be healthy, who is getting married, will there be war, peace or natural catastrophes … Everything concerning the new year, G - d is going to decide on Rosh HaShana (Erev Rosh HaShana is on Wednesday 8 September).

A few days later, Rosh HaShana is followed by the highest Jewish holiday YOM KIPPUR. Whereas G - d judges his whole creation on Rosh HaShana, the Jews are going to be specially judged on Yom Kippur. Then He is, so to speak, signing His final decision.

This is one of the differences between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur: Rosh HaShana is a day of judgement for the entire planet. No matter if someone is Jewish or not - Jewish. Yom Kippur, however, is an entirely Jewish holiday because it only concerns the Jews and their final judgement.

Who then doesn't want to make a good impression before G - d ?

The month of Elul is a great opportunity for us of doing so. Sephardi Jews already start their Selichot prayers with the beginning of Elul. Ashkenazi Jews only start their Selichot on the Mozzaei Shabbat (Saturday night after Shabbat ends) before Rosh HaShana.

The month of ELUL is a time of looking back and return. Have we reached our goals during the year ? What mistakes did we make and how can we make everything better in the future ? Where have we failed and what did we accomplish ?

G - d is not interested in us being the most perfect people in the world. What He is interested in is that we realize our mistakes, regret and follow the intention to make everything better in the future.

Elul is the big month of Teshuva where we have to realize that there is more to this world than eat, drink, work and sleep. In Elul, Moshe went up to Mount Sinai in order to ask G - d for forgiveness for the Golden Calf. Elul is the month of awareness in connection with the sincere intention of correcting and perfecting oneself.