As you are reading this month’s bulletin, we are well into the Hebrew month of Elul. Many people might recognize the name “Elul” as the month that precedes Rosh Hashanah and all the “high holidays.” This is correct. Yet, there actually is more to this simple and apparently insignificant, random placing of Elul before the holiest time on the Jewish calendar.
One might assume that, in reviewing the order of the Hebrew calendar, instruction has led us to believe there is only one Hebrew month bereft of holidays, festivals, fast days+or anything noteworthy. That month is Cheshvan. Cheshvan has even been given the extra title “Mar,” which generally precedes its name, making the entire identification for this month “Mar Cheshvan”. Depending on the explanation one prefers, one may believe that Cheshvan is called this because it “feels bad” having no important days in it and therefore the month is bitter (“mar” in Hebrew+recall that thebitter herbs we eat at the Passover seder are called, in Hebrew, “maror,” containing the word “mar”). The other explanationfor the title “Mar” (which I prefer) is, since the month has no actual holidays or significance of its own, in order to NOT leave Cheshvan barren and desolate, we artificially attach the title of respect, “Mar” (meaning “Mister” or “Sir” in Hebrew), which unto itself connotes a status of importance.
Having said all this, it leaves unanswered the puzzling question of why so much time is spent on ensuring the month of Cheshvan does not have its “feelings hurt,” while Elul, upon close examination, is clear in not having any holidays, festivals, fast days or anything significant about it as well. Why is this? And why do we not then afford Elul some of the same enhancements that we apply to Cheshvan?
It actually is very simple: While it is true Elul does not have any holidays, festivals, or fast days in it, it has its own importance. As the forerunner of the month of Tishrei, in which Rosh Hashanah fills the first two days, we undertake much in the way of symbolism to prepare ourselves for the Jewish New Year. First, the shofar is sounded every non-Shabbat morning of Elul except the last day. Also, the psalm, “L’Dovid [Hashem] Ori” is added to the prayer services in Elul. We begin the recitation of “Selichot” prayers later in the month (the entire month for Sephardim), and, in general, we undertake the process of doing “teshuvah”+ repentance+in the month of Elul. These additions to the month, while not specific holidays, are major changes and adornments to the month, lifting it to a level of importance that does not need artificial promotion or highlighting.
There is one more interesting significance to Elul: While, on the secular calendar, the month of June seems to be the month most desired for weddings (there would appear to be a serious attraction for women to be June brides), Elul is the Hebrew month for young people to come together under the chupah (the Jewish wedding canopy). The four Hebrew letters comprising the name Elul+aleph, lamed, vav, and lamed+are the letters indicating the well-known verse from Shir HaShirim, (The Song of Songs): “Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li”—I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me. Is there a better time to get married?
This same joining of loving parties is part of the symbolism of the month of Elul that our sages teach us also applies to the commitment and relationship between G-d and the Jewish people. One way or another, this is a lot of love!
It is my hope and prayer that, as we complete the month of Elul, we all will be able to move into a mindset that permits us to do the best we can in the area of teshuvah, and that G-d will recognize our sincere contrition and inscribe us all for a good, healthy, happy, sweet new year.
With Torah blessings,
Rabbi Dr. Yaacov Dvorin