ELUL
BSD 
There are many aspects to the month of Elul that we can access and utilize for our benefit and success. Looking at the hints that Chazal give to the name of the month, we are taught that the beginning letters of Ani LeDodi VeDodi Li spell out Elul. The Passuk from Shir Hashirim speaks of the love between Hashem and the Jewish People. This is an aspect of love Beyn Adam LaMakom. Another famous Passuk which spells out Elul is (Mishloach Manot) Ish Lerayayhu Umatanot Laevyonim. This Passuk from Megillat Esther is the basis for the Halacha that on Purim we each give gifts of food to our friends and charity to the poor. This is an aspect of love Beyn Adam Lachaveiro.
We are also taught by the Baal Shem Tov that in Elul, Hashem is so to speak, more available. ‘The King is in the field’ is the description of Hashem’s availability and accessibility. No appointments needed, no preparations needed. The Palace Above is, so to speak, being prepared for the great Yom Hadin, the Day of Judgment, Rosh Hashanah. Until then, Hashem is informal with us.
The months of summer and Rachamim are from Nissan- Pesach- until the end of Elul. The months of Din, the winter months, begin with Tishrei and end with Adar. These last two weeks of Elul are therefore the last of the weeks of Rachamim.
We were taught that the redemption of Pesach was one of Rachamim since we truly did not deserve that total redemption. Hashem was so to speak forced to redeem us since we had no more spiritual strength to continue in the Galut Mitzrayim. We are also taught that when the final redemption comes, we will be able to say it came from Din, meaning that in a certain way, we merited it. Thousands of years of suffering in the spiritual vacuum of Galut are payment to create a Din big enough for our People to ‘deserve’ Geula. Read more
