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 selected key Maamarim for each Parsha, to be publish in the works Torah Or and Likutei Torah.
These Maamarim are so fundamental that they have come to be referred to as the Chassidishe Parsha.
There are Maamarim for every Parsha of the Torah with the exception of Parshas Shoftim. The Alter Rebbe has a number of Maamarim on Shoftim, so why did the Tzemach Tzedek not include any?
We can understand this based on another nuanced detail. Instead of including a section of Maamarim on the theme of the month of Elul (we find separate sections for other Yomim Tovim), the Elul Maamarim are printed in the section for Parshas Reeh.
The most famous of these Maamarim is the Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li, said by the Alter Rebbe in Liozna in Elul 5557 (1797). In this Maamar, the Alter Rebbe brings the famous parable of the king in the field, 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. 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 and a smiling face.
The Rebbe notes, that this Maamar is printed on page 32 - לב, which means heart. Whether this was deliberately arranged by the Tzemach Tzedek who arranged these Maamarim for print, or incidentally by the printer, nothing is by chance.
This Maamar is the לב, the heart and essence of Likutei Torah for Sefer Devarim.
Historically, the month of Elul was a time of 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 Avodah of the month of Elul.
Elul is not a time of fear of Hashem’s judgement. It is a time of love - as alluded to in the acronym for Elul in the verse Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li, I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me.
During this month, 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, 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, which begins with the Mitzvah to appointed judges and officers in all of our gates, is always read during the month of Elul.
Judges and officers represents distinction and rank and file between Jews on different levels, some being closer to the king than others. They also represent the system of judgement and severity which comes from the attribute of Gevurah.
In the Chassidishe Parsha perspective, there is no “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.
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, waiting and helping us to turn to greet Him.
Elul is a time of “Reeh” - when the 13 Attributes of Hashem’s Mercy 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. Knowing of Hashem’s love for us and His belief in us, is the greatest motivation to better ourselves and draw closer to Him and reciprocate that love.
With this love and with this approach, we are certain 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.
There are Maamarim for every Parsha of the Torah with the exception of Parshas Shoftim. The Alter Rebbe has a number of Maamarim on Shoftim, so why did the Tzemach Tzedek not include any?
We can understand this based on another nuanced detail. Instead of including a section of Maamarim on the theme of the month of Elul (we find separate sections for other Yomim Tovim), the Elul Maamarim are printed in the section for Parshas Reeh.
The most famous of these Maamarim is the Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li, said by the Alter Rebbe in Liozna in Elul 5557 (1797). In this Maamar, the Alter Rebbe brings the famous parable of the king in the field, 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. 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 and a smiling face.
The Rebbe notes, that this Maamar is printed on page 32 - לב, which means heart. Whether this was deliberately arranged by the Tzemach Tzedek who arranged these Maamarim for print, or incidentally by the printer, nothing is by chance.
This Maamar is the לב, the heart and essence of Likutei Torah for Sefer Devarim.
Historically, the month of Elul was a time of 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 Avodah of the month of Elul.
Elul is not a time of fear of Hashem’s judgement. It is a time of love - as alluded to in the acronym for Elul in the verse Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li, I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me.
During this month, 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, 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, which begins with the Mitzvah to appointed judges and officers in all of our gates, is always read during the month of Elul.
Judges and officers represents distinction and rank and file between Jews on different levels, some being closer to the king than others. They also represent the system of judgement and severity which comes from the attribute of Gevurah.
In the Chassidishe Parsha perspective, there is no “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.
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, waiting and helping us to turn to greet Him.
Elul is a time of “Reeh” - when the 13 Attributes of Hashem’s Mercy 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. Knowing of Hashem’s love for us and His belief in us, is the greatest motivation to better ourselves and draw closer to Him and reciprocate that love.
With this love and with this approach, we are certain that Hashem will bless us all with a Kesiva Vechasima Tovah, Leshana Tovah Umesuka. A sweet year filled with blessings and goodness.