BEAUTIFYING THE BRIDE
Reeh - Elul
The month of Elul is upon us and we are about to embark once again on the magical journey through the Yomim Tovim of Tishrei. Each year as Elul comes around we are filled with inspiration, hisorrerus. This year will be different; This year I will learn more, daven better, grow spiritually and connect.
Elul is famous for its Roshei Teivos, the acronyms which the Rebbe has publicised. The most famous of these acronyms is אני לדודי ודודי לי, I am to my Beloved and my Beloved is to me. In Shir Hashirim, Shlomo Hamelech uses the imagery of a bride and groom to describe the unique relationship of love between Hashem and the Jewish people.
The lessons of the Chosson and Kallah teach us the Avodah which we are to go through in preparation for our union with Hashem on the Yomim Noraim.
Like the relationship between husband and wife, our relationship with Hashem is a two-way flow of love, affection, closeness and responsibility. During the month of Elul we initiate the relationship, preparing ourselves and drawing ourselves closer to arouse Hashem’s reciprocation. In Chassidus this is referred to as an awakening from below which arouses an awakening Above.
Each month of the year has a corresponding zodiac. The correlation between the particular zodiac and the month is not arbitrary. The constellation mirrors the theme of the month and the Avodah which it demands of us. The zodiac for the month of Elul is Virgo, the virgin. During Elul we are like the pure maiden preparing ourselves for our marriage to Hashem.
For the Chosson, getting ready for the day of his wedding is relatively easy. For the Kallah, preparing for her wedding is no simple matter. Hairdressing, makeup, the wedding gown and jewellery all need to be taken care with great care and attention to every detail so that she can be a כלה נאה וחסודה.
The term used for jewellery or adornment is קישוט. This word is also used by Chaza”l to describe a process of spiritual self-improvement.
So how do we adorn ourselves as we prepare to renew our relationship with Hashem? What is the spiritual jewellery with which we beautify ourselves to be radiant in Hashem’s eyes and arouse His favour?
The Midrash and Kabbalah refers to the 24 adornments of the bride. The Zohar describes how Hashem adorned Chava with 24 ornaments in preparation for her union with Adam. This is alluded to in the Gematria of the word ויבאה, and He brought her to Adam, being 24. As the cosmic bride, these 24 adornments which we beautify ourselves with are the 24 books of the Tanach - i.e. the study of Torah.
Learning Torah is the ultimate preparation that we can make to beautify ourselves for Hashem. Torah makes the Neshomo radiant. Not only does it beautify us spiritually but it helps to arouse within ourselves feelings of desire for closeness to Hashem and anticipation for Yomim Noraim with proper Kavanah and focused Avodah.
Shlomo Hamelech alludes to the need to increase our learning during the month of Elul in אני לדודי ודודי לי. The verse concludes הרועה בשושנים, who grazes (His flocks) among the roses. Our sages teach do not read the verse as שושנים, roses, but rather as ששונים, those who study Torah.
Each maamer, sicha, Halocha, every chavrusa or shiur is another priceless diamond, magnificent piece of jewellery. In truth it is far greater as Dovid Hamelech says Your Torah is worth more than thousands of gold and silver. The more we learn, the more beautiful we become and the more uplifting and rewarding our Tishrei experience will be.
Elul is famous for its Roshei Teivos, the acronyms which the Rebbe has publicised. The most famous of these acronyms is אני לדודי ודודי לי, I am to my Beloved and my Beloved is to me. In Shir Hashirim, Shlomo Hamelech uses the imagery of a bride and groom to describe the unique relationship of love between Hashem and the Jewish people.
The lessons of the Chosson and Kallah teach us the Avodah which we are to go through in preparation for our union with Hashem on the Yomim Noraim.
Like the relationship between husband and wife, our relationship with Hashem is a two-way flow of love, affection, closeness and responsibility. During the month of Elul we initiate the relationship, preparing ourselves and drawing ourselves closer to arouse Hashem’s reciprocation. In Chassidus this is referred to as an awakening from below which arouses an awakening Above.
Each month of the year has a corresponding zodiac. The correlation between the particular zodiac and the month is not arbitrary. The constellation mirrors the theme of the month and the Avodah which it demands of us. The zodiac for the month of Elul is Virgo, the virgin. During Elul we are like the pure maiden preparing ourselves for our marriage to Hashem.
For the Chosson, getting ready for the day of his wedding is relatively easy. For the Kallah, preparing for her wedding is no simple matter. Hairdressing, makeup, the wedding gown and jewellery all need to be taken care with great care and attention to every detail so that she can be a כלה נאה וחסודה.
The term used for jewellery or adornment is קישוט. This word is also used by Chaza”l to describe a process of spiritual self-improvement.
So how do we adorn ourselves as we prepare to renew our relationship with Hashem? What is the spiritual jewellery with which we beautify ourselves to be radiant in Hashem’s eyes and arouse His favour?
The Midrash and Kabbalah refers to the 24 adornments of the bride. The Zohar describes how Hashem adorned Chava with 24 ornaments in preparation for her union with Adam. This is alluded to in the Gematria of the word ויבאה, and He brought her to Adam, being 24. As the cosmic bride, these 24 adornments which we beautify ourselves with are the 24 books of the Tanach - i.e. the study of Torah.
Learning Torah is the ultimate preparation that we can make to beautify ourselves for Hashem. Torah makes the Neshomo radiant. Not only does it beautify us spiritually but it helps to arouse within ourselves feelings of desire for closeness to Hashem and anticipation for Yomim Noraim with proper Kavanah and focused Avodah.
Shlomo Hamelech alludes to the need to increase our learning during the month of Elul in אני לדודי ודודי לי. The verse concludes הרועה בשושנים, who grazes (His flocks) among the roses. Our sages teach do not read the verse as שושנים, roses, but rather as ששונים, those who study Torah.
Each maamer, sicha, Halocha, every chavrusa or shiur is another priceless diamond, magnificent piece of jewellery. In truth it is far greater as Dovid Hamelech says Your Torah is worth more than thousands of gold and silver. The more we learn, the more beautiful we become and the more uplifting and rewarding our Tishrei experience will be.