Ellul

This month is a serious time in the Jewish Calendar. It is a time when we are close to Hashem. But why this month? Why not every month? What is the nature of this month's element of "Ani Ledodi"? To find the answer we can learn Chassidus.

In Lekuti Torah the Baal Hatanya provides a useful analogy of Melech Basadeh

A king of flesh and blood prior to assuming his dominion will go into the fields and will meet and greet everyone from the commoner (hedyot or idiot) to the upper class of society everyone has his or her chance to make requests and to connect with the king. For when the King goes to his palace, all bets are off. Only those with special status can enter the king's palace to make requests.

Now the king, Hashem is in the field and he is close to us all Kivayochal. Even commoners can make requests but as time goes on Hashem becomes king on Rosh Hashana and as a king there is distance. We experience distance or fear of Hashem irah during Rosh Hashana when he is Melech in the castle, ki vayochel.

Now we have a window of opportunity and we must not squander it. Because now we have access that we won't have in the days approaching where we will experience an awe of the Holy one, or fear. When in awe or in fear there is a distance albeit a constructive and purposeful one.

Ahava and Yirah, Elul and Rosh Hashana are two concepts to be explored and experienced. Both are needed in our spiritual practice. But now the dominant part of our practice is with Ahava which connotes closeness. To be continued.