A JUDGMENT-FREE MONTH
Shoftim - Elul
During his lifetime, the Alter Rebbe delivered thousands of Maamarim (Chassidic discourses). From these, his grandson the Tzemach Tzedek, distilled and selected key Maamarim on each Parsha and published them in the works Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah.
These Maamarim are so fundamental that they have come to be referred to as the Chassidishe Parsha.
Torah Ohr and Likkutei contain Maamarim for every Parsha in the Torah with the exception of Parshas Shoftim. Even though we have Maamarim of the Alter Rebbe on this Parsha that are published in other works, the Tzemach Tzedek deliberately chose not to include them. This begs the question, why not?
To answer this, we need to focus on another nuanced detail in the publication of Likkutei Torah.
Instead of placing the Maamarim on the theme of the month of Elul in their own section, the Elul Maamarim are printed in the section for Parshas Reeh. This is in contrast to the placement of Maamarim on the High Holiday Festivals, which are published under their own heading.
The most famous of the Alter Rebbe’s Maamarim on the month of Elul, is the discourse entitled Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li. It was said by the Alter Rebbe in Liozna in Elul 5557 (1797). In this Maamar, the Alter Rebbe presents his now famous parable, of the king in the field, which he uses to describe Hashem’s presence and accessibility in this special month.
On the Yomim Noraim, Hashem is like the king in his palace, where access is limited and restricted to unique, privileged individuals. But during Elul, Hashem is like the king travelling through the field. Here, every individual is able to approach the king, who greets them in turn with friendliness, warmth and a smiling face.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe notes, that this Maamar is printed on page 32 - לב of Likkutei Torah on the Book of Devarim. לב means heart. Whether this was a deliberate placement by the Tzemach Tzedek who arranged the Maamarim for print, or whether it came out ’by chance’ at the hands of the printer, nothing, especially in relation to Torah, is really by chance.
The inner reason for the page number is because this Maamar and its message is the לב, the heart and essence of Likkutei Torah for Sefer Devarim.
Historically, the month of Elul was a time of fear and trepidation. People would go about their Avodah of Teshuvah with a palpable fear of the impending Day of Judgement. Elul was likened to the roar of the lion, shaking us with dread.
With this Maamar, the Alter Rebbe revolutionised the nature and the Avodah of the month of Elul.
Elul is not a time of fear of Hashem’s judgement. It is a time of love. This is alluded to in the verse Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li, I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me, whose initial letters spell the word Elul.
During this month, like the king in the field, Hashem is accessible and close to us. He wants us to turn to Him and when we do, He showers us with love and affection; greeting everyone who turns to Him with a friendly countenance and smiling face. Hashem is ready to hear and grant our requests.
Chassidus is called Penimius Hatorah, the inner dimension of Torah. It reveals to us the deeper perspective; the way things are in their essence.
Parshas Shoftim is always read in the month of Elul. It begins with the Mitzvah to appointed judges and officers in all of our gates.
Judges and officers represent the concept of division and distinction; a rank-and-file of Jews on different levels, where some will be ’higher’ and ‘closer’ to the king than others. They also represent the system of judgement and severity, which comes from the attribute of Gevurah.
The message of this week’s Chassidishe Parsha is that in the Chassidic perspective, there is no place for “Shoftim” in the month of Elul.
The heart (לב) and soul of the Chassidishe Parsha is the message that Hashem loves each of us infinitely, equally and without distinction and that Elul is not a time of judgment, but rather a month of love.
When the King is in the field, He is equally accessible to every Jew, irrespective of their spiritual level or standing. There are no judgements or punishments, only a smiling face, filled with love. Hashem is waiting for us and helping us to greet Him.
Elul is a time of “Reeh” meaning to see. During Elul the 13 Attributes of Hashem’s Mercy, representing Hashem’s infinite love and forgiveness, shine in the world and we can ‘see’ the presence of Hashem in our lives.
Elul is still a month of Teshuvah, but a different type of Teshuvah; Not a Teshuvah driven by fear, but a return to Hashem that is positive, joyous and hopeful. Understanding how much Hashem loves us and believes in us, is the greatest motivation to better ourselves and draw closer to Him as we seek to reciprocate that love.
During Elul, we should also strive to apply this lesson in our own lives, to focus on not-judging others and only sharing warmth and love.
With this love and with our Teshuvah in this approach, we can be certain and confidant that Hashem will bless us all with a Kesiva Vechasima Tovah Leshana Tovah Umesuka. A sweet year filled with blessings and goodness.
These Maamarim are so fundamental that they have come to be referred to as the Chassidishe Parsha.
Torah Ohr and Likkutei contain Maamarim for every Parsha in the Torah with the exception of Parshas Shoftim. Even though we have Maamarim of the Alter Rebbe on this Parsha that are published in other works, the Tzemach Tzedek deliberately chose not to include them. This begs the question, why not?
To answer this, we need to focus on another nuanced detail in the publication of Likkutei Torah.
Instead of placing the Maamarim on the theme of the month of Elul in their own section, the Elul Maamarim are printed in the section for Parshas Reeh. This is in contrast to the placement of Maamarim on the High Holiday Festivals, which are published under their own heading.
The most famous of the Alter Rebbe’s Maamarim on the month of Elul, is the discourse entitled Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li. It was said by the Alter Rebbe in Liozna in Elul 5557 (1797). In this Maamar, the Alter Rebbe presents his now famous parable, of the king in the field, which he uses to describe Hashem’s presence and accessibility in this special month.
On the Yomim Noraim, Hashem is like the king in his palace, where access is limited and restricted to unique, privileged individuals. But during Elul, Hashem is like the king travelling through the field. Here, every individual is able to approach the king, who greets them in turn with friendliness, warmth and a smiling face.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe notes, that this Maamar is printed on page 32 - לב of Likkutei Torah on the Book of Devarim. לב means heart. Whether this was a deliberate placement by the Tzemach Tzedek who arranged the Maamarim for print, or whether it came out ’by chance’ at the hands of the printer, nothing, especially in relation to Torah, is really by chance.
The inner reason for the page number is because this Maamar and its message is the לב, the heart and essence of Likkutei Torah for Sefer Devarim.
Historically, the month of Elul was a time of fear and trepidation. People would go about their Avodah of Teshuvah with a palpable fear of the impending Day of Judgement. Elul was likened to the roar of the lion, shaking us with dread.
With this Maamar, the Alter Rebbe revolutionised the nature and the Avodah of the month of Elul.
Elul is not a time of fear of Hashem’s judgement. It is a time of love. This is alluded to in the verse Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li, I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me, whose initial letters spell the word Elul.
During this month, like the king in the field, Hashem is accessible and close to us. He wants us to turn to Him and when we do, He showers us with love and affection; greeting everyone who turns to Him with a friendly countenance and smiling face. Hashem is ready to hear and grant our requests.
Chassidus is called Penimius Hatorah, the inner dimension of Torah. It reveals to us the deeper perspective; the way things are in their essence.
Parshas Shoftim is always read in the month of Elul. It begins with the Mitzvah to appointed judges and officers in all of our gates.
Judges and officers represent the concept of division and distinction; a rank-and-file of Jews on different levels, where some will be ’higher’ and ‘closer’ to the king than others. They also represent the system of judgement and severity, which comes from the attribute of Gevurah.
The message of this week’s Chassidishe Parsha is that in the Chassidic perspective, there is no place for “Shoftim” in the month of Elul.
The heart (לב) and soul of the Chassidishe Parsha is the message that Hashem loves each of us infinitely, equally and without distinction and that Elul is not a time of judgment, but rather a month of love.
When the King is in the field, He is equally accessible to every Jew, irrespective of their spiritual level or standing. There are no judgements or punishments, only a smiling face, filled with love. Hashem is waiting for us and helping us to greet Him.
Elul is a time of “Reeh” meaning to see. During Elul the 13 Attributes of Hashem’s Mercy, representing Hashem’s infinite love and forgiveness, shine in the world and we can ‘see’ the presence of Hashem in our lives.
Elul is still a month of Teshuvah, but a different type of Teshuvah; Not a Teshuvah driven by fear, but a return to Hashem that is positive, joyous and hopeful. Understanding how much Hashem loves us and believes in us, is the greatest motivation to better ourselves and draw closer to Him as we seek to reciprocate that love.
During Elul, we should also strive to apply this lesson in our own lives, to focus on not-judging others and only sharing warmth and love.
With this love and with our Teshuvah in this approach, we can be certain and confidant that Hashem will bless us all with a Kesiva Vechasima Tovah Leshana Tovah Umesuka. A sweet year filled with blessings and goodness.