I am to my beloved...
Every morning, as is the custom in many areas, the shofer's cry is heard throughout the town - "Come, Israel! Return to G-d! Return to Torah!" Elul, the month that marks the beginning of repentance, or teshuvah, begins this year on Friday September 1. It is written that Hashem (G-d) is easier to reach, easier to approach, during the month of Elul, and the time to exam our deeds and return to Him has come.
Elul, spelled Aleph-Lamed-Vav-Lamed, is an acronym for Ani Lodi V'dodi Li - I am to my beloved, and my beloved is to me. "My beloved" refers to G-d. I once heard a wonderful explanation to the order of this verse --- Why does it say "I am to my beloved" before it says, "My beloved is to me" ?
Because we must make the first move. We have to come to G-d first... Ani l'dodi, "I am to my beloved." In other words, "I'm trying, G-d. I want to return, I want to do the right thing - it's just hard for me." Only after we show G-d that we want to do the right thing, "V'dodi li." - Then, G-d reaches down, picks us up, and guides us where we should go.
Preparing to approach the King
You have just received a letter in the mail, shortly followed my a phone call. The President of the United States (Or the Queen of England, your choice!) would like to meet you, and he has invited you for tea! What should you wear? You'll read all the news, so you'll have something to talk about! Think how nervous you'd be!
Now, let's say you got the chance to meet face to face with G-d. Woa. What do you wear when you meet the creator of the entire universe? How do you prepare yourself? The month of Elul is to be devoted to preparation. On Rosh Hashanah, in about 30 days, the King will approach you and you'll be judged. Then ten days later, on Yom Kippur, you'll be given the chance to speak on your behalf. Here are some ways to help prepare yourself, your family and your home for the big meeting.
