I love Elul, the month preceding the High Holy Days. The sages teach that God is nearby and accessible. The Holy One’s arms are open, ready to receive every sincere person back into a loving embrace.
T’SHUVAH
Tshuvah’s root (shav) which translates to “return”. It is a call to return to our true nature, our best selves. T’shuvah is always availabe to all individuals, even those who feel distant from a right path. It is one of the most meaningful aspects of Jewish life. Even with the best of intentions, it is easy to get distracted and drift away from true goodness. Fortunately, the local cosmos supports Tshuvah, since the Elul and holidays arrive near the Autumnal Equinox.
For example, this year, the Autumn Equinox will occur on September 22, 2025, at 11:19 AM PT. Rosh Hashanah begins after sunset on that same day. The new year brings a state of maximum balance to the local cosmos as day and night come into approximate balance. The balance has been approaching this point and stays close for a period.
This is important because this balance provides stability, supporting the deep work of T’shuvah, a return to your best self.
SEFER YETZIRAH
Sefer Yetzirah teaches that when the letter Yud was made sovereign and linked to Keter, the Light of the Infinite shone through it, forming Virgo in space, Elul in time, and the left hand in Spirit (Gra). The image of Virgo (Betoolah) in Elul is significant. The Holy Bnay Yisaskhar points to the proverb, “When you find a woman, you find goodness.”
In the month of Elul, Virgo represents the woman ruling the heavens. Her presence helps us differentiate between what is genuinely good and what merely appears to be good. This figure in the heavens is our Mother in Heaven, known as Eema Elaah or Binah, the S’firah. She embodies patience, love, and unwavering faith that we will make the right choices. Our Mother in Heaven discerns the modulation of Divine Light that enters creation and the cosmos. She offers comfort, safety, and gentle awareness of the adjustments necessary to manifest what is truly good and sustainable.
Bnay Isaskhar Elul 1:3 in English – The Holy Hassid’s insight into the month of Elul.
Tzvi Elimelekh of Dinov“Matzah Eesha, Matzah Tov v’yafek ratzon m’Hashem”-‘Find a woman, find ‘goodness, and Yah’s Will is come forth’‟’ (Proverbs 18:22) referenced with the quote,“Sh”Ayn Mikreh Yotzah M’yedat Pshutoh”, ‘nothing happens beyond God’s jurisdiction’, together are a hint at the essence of Elul.
Eyt Ratzon -Time of (Divine) Desire
The days of Elul are a time of “Eyt Ratzon” – a propitious window in time. A time of Ratzon, desire.
This was first established when Moshe ascended Mt. Sinai to receive the final tablets of the covenant. The Holy One of Blessing, deeply desired (ratzah as in ratzon) Yisrael and forgave them, with great joy, )for the mistake of the golden calf).
From that time on, these days (Elul) are established as an auspicious window in time; a time of (Divine) Willingness to arouse individuals to Tshuvah ;return to Source.
Gods, right arm is open, as it were, to receive those who wish to return in a loving embrace. (The right arm represents benevolence and unconditional grace.)
EVIL
Since the time the first human (Adam) ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, each and every person holds both positive and negative qualities. Negativity has a tendency to amplify and increase, especially if left unchecked. When this happens, negativity can be confused and experienced as positive. The lines of discernment can become blurred.
The Uniqueness of Elul
In Elul, when the Heavenly Desire for Yisrael is aroused, the Holy Blessed One wishes to arouse Tshuvah in the people, this is when people find true good through their own knowing (instinctually, automatically). People regret mistakes and turn away from the bad, and draw the knowing of the heavenly desire into life. Then their Tshuvah, return to source is received.
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