by Rabbi Debra Orenstein
Over the years, rabbis have played with the letters of
the word “Elul,” to infer messages about the purpose and essence of this holy
time. Below are some popular “derivations” of the name for this month, with
commentary about the messages behind the acronyms.
ELUL is an acronym for Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li, I am for My beloved and My beloved is for me (Song of Songs 6:3). At other times, God, the divine Beloved, reaches out to us (see, for example, Song of Songs 2:16). During Elul, however, we must initiate the relationship. It all starts with the ani, the I. We must see ourselves for who we are, for who we have and haven’t yet been, and for who we might become.
Thus, introspection is something we do for God, as well as for ourselves. Elul is a time for developing intimacy with God.
ELUL is an acronym for Ish Lereyehu Umatanot La’evyonim, Each one to his neighbor, and gifts to the poor (Esther 9:22). This verse describes the celebration at the time of Queen Esther, when the Jews were spared. Foodstuffs were sent to neighbors and friends, and gifts, to the poor. Those exchanges remain Purim practices to this day. Nehemiah 8:10 speaks of Jews sending gifts of food (the same phrase “shilchu manot” is used) to one another at the time of the New Year, as well. Some Hasidic groups maintain the custom of sending gifts of food during Elul.
Elul is a time for improving our relationships. We reach out to those we know – and to those we don’t know. We acknowledge that we share community with and responsibility for the poor. As we repent, we develop compassion for the sins of others. This is borne out in the numerical equivalents of the words “Ish” (one) and “Lereyehu” (to his neighbor). A person and his or her neighbor both amount to the same thing: a human in need of – and able to offer –lovingkindness.
ELUL is an acronym for Inah Leyado Vesamti Lach. Deliver into his hand, I shall establish for you (Exodus 21:13). The context of this phrase is a description of the cities of refuge. If someone commits manslaughter, s/he is protected from revenge by the victim’s family. Even the worst act – the taking of a life – deserves a fair trial. In Torah, someone who has killed another human being unintentionally must be helped to obtain shelter and, eventually, pardon.
Thus, Rabbi Simon Jacobson calls Elul “a refuge in time.” Elul provides a haven for all sins and sinners.
Continue reading.
Over the years, rabbis have played with the letters of
the word “Elul,” to infer messages about the purpose and essence of this holy
time. Below are some popular “derivations” of the name for this month, with
commentary about the messages behind the acronyms. ELUL is an acronym for Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li, I am for My beloved and My beloved is for me (Song of Songs 6:3). At other times, God, the divine Beloved, reaches out to us (see, for example, Song of Songs 2:16). During Elul, however, we must initiate the relationship. It all starts with the ani, the I. We must see ourselves for who we are, for who we have and haven’t yet been, and for who we might become.
Thus, introspection is something we do for God, as well as for ourselves. Elul is a time for developing intimacy with God.
ELUL is an acronym for Ish Lereyehu Umatanot La’evyonim, Each one to his neighbor, and gifts to the poor (Esther 9:22). This verse describes the celebration at the time of Queen Esther, when the Jews were spared. Foodstuffs were sent to neighbors and friends, and gifts, to the poor. Those exchanges remain Purim practices to this day. Nehemiah 8:10 speaks of Jews sending gifts of food (the same phrase “shilchu manot” is used) to one another at the time of the New Year, as well. Some Hasidic groups maintain the custom of sending gifts of food during Elul.
Elul is a time for improving our relationships. We reach out to those we know – and to those we don’t know. We acknowledge that we share community with and responsibility for the poor. As we repent, we develop compassion for the sins of others. This is borne out in the numerical equivalents of the words “Ish” (one) and “Lereyehu” (to his neighbor). A person and his or her neighbor both amount to the same thing: a human in need of – and able to offer –lovingkindness.
ELUL is an acronym for Inah Leyado Vesamti Lach. Deliver into his hand, I shall establish for you (Exodus 21:13). The context of this phrase is a description of the cities of refuge. If someone commits manslaughter, s/he is protected from revenge by the victim’s family. Even the worst act – the taking of a life – deserves a fair trial. In Torah, someone who has killed another human being unintentionally must be helped to obtain shelter and, eventually, pardon.
Thus, Rabbi Simon Jacobson calls Elul “a refuge in time.” Elul provides a haven for all sins and sinners.
Continue reading.
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