Days of Awe

A Comprehensive Program to Maximize The High Holy Days

Author: Editorial Team (Page 2 of 3)

3.02 Week 3-Understanding Teshuva and Slichos; Questions On The Four Steps Of Teshuva

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3.02 UNDERSTANDING TESHUVA AND SLICHOS: QUESTIONS ON THE FOUR STEPS OF TESHUVA

INTRODUCTION

In yesterdays sheet we discussed The four steps of teshuva. Today’s sheet will focus primarily on providing answers to the most frequently asked questions about these steps.

QUESTION 1-WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REGRET AND GUILT? EVERY TIME I START HAVING REGRET. I JUST FEEL BAD AND HATE MYSELF.

Regret is the acknowledgement that you have lost an opportunity to become greater or that you have not lived up to your potential. Guilt is the negative emotion saying that you are bad. How do you know The difference between the two? The criteria for judging such feelings is how you behave and feel later. Guilt breeds feeling of depression. Regret leads to feelings of joy.

How is this? No matter what you do, you are a good person. You are a soul. Your essence is good. When you do something bad, your Yetzer Hara got the befter of you. It made you confused. You are still a good person.

Your essence is G-dly. You are made in the image of G-d. Therefore, when you have made a mistake and you see it clearly and you feel regret over it, your relationship with the Al-mighty becomes more elevated. You are not a bad person. On the contrary, precisely because you feel regret over it, that is a sign you are a good person. You are trying to improve. Would an evil person feel regret over a sin?

Let’s say, for example, you are running to catch a bus. Just as you are turning the corner to catch it, you don’t see a hole in the street and you trip, fall and miss the bus. You regret the fact that you didn’t see the hole and missed the bus. You regret the fact that you now have to wait 15 minutes until the next one. But are you a bad person for tripping? Did you put a hole in the street?

The same is true with a sin. The Yetzer Hara has tripped you up. Are you to be blamed for that?

In general, learning how to avoid guilt when trying to improve is a skill that takes some time to acquire. If you find That you are constantly feeling guilty whenever you approach self-growth, consult your Rav about this.

QUESTION 2-WHAT HAPPENS IF I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT I DON’T FEEL ANY REGRET OVER IT?

The Chovos HaLevavos in Shaar Teshuva, Chapter Three writes of a few prerequisites in order for teshuva to be successful:

Prerequisites #1-The returnee must clearly recognize the negativity of what he has done. If it is not clear to him and he is in doubt about it there cannot be any repentance, nor seeking of forgiveness for it. (#1)

If you have committed a transgression and you don’t feel any regret, on a certain level, you are missing clarity as to why the sin was negative. It might be that you don’t fully understand the power of the mitzvos to bring you to greatness. It might be that you have a block with this particular mitzvah. But it all stems from a lack of understanding. The best advice is to ask someone that you can talk to why this particular transgression so serious.

Prerequisites #2 -It might also be that you are not sure about the halacha.

He must be aware that his specific act was legally wrong… For if it is not clear to him that his deed was wrong and his action was not good, he will neither feel remorse for it nor accept the conditions necessary for teshuva. (Ibid #2)

It is very important to make sure that you are clear that you did in fact do something wrong. Without That total clarity on this point, feeling regret will be hard.

Prerequisite #3 -The Last piece of advice That might help you to feel regret Is the following;

He must consciously reflect upon the good things the Creator has bestowed upon him and how he had rebelled against G-d instead of being grateful to Him. (Ibid. #6)

If you would sit down and write out a list of all the great things that G-d has done for you in your lifetime, most likely it would lead you to have gratitude. If you would Then contemplate that instead of paying G-d back for all the wonderful things that He did for you, you went against Him, This might lead you to regret what you have done.

QUESTION NUMBER 3-HOW DO I DO THE CONFESSION?

The Rambam writes in his Mishnah Torah:

How is the confession done? You say, Hashem, I have made a mistake transgressed, rebelled before you, I did such and such. Behold I feel regret and am ashamed of my actions. I will never ever return to them forever. This is the essence of the confession. Whoever increases his confession and lengthens the matter, behold this is praiseworthy. (Hilchos Teshuva 1.1.’)

We see here that the Rambams confession includes all the steps of teshuva, therefore, it is very important to make sure before you get there to cornplete all of the previous steps.

But what should your attitude be when you say the confession? How exactly do you relate to G-d when you talk to Hirn? There is a very interesting piece in the Mishnah Brurah that might give us an indication. The piece discusses whether scholars should subject themselves to a lot of fasts. The Chofetz Chaim wrote that if you want to do teshuva, do not do anything that will weaken you physically. Since the greatest form of purification is learning Torah, there is no greater teshuva than increasing your learning of Torah. Then he speaks about how to how to talk to G-d:

Connect your thoughts to Him as if you already stand before Him on the Day of Judgement. Speak to Him like a slave speaks to his master or a son to his father. (Mishnah Brurah, Beur Halacha, Chapter 571, Talmid Chochom)

This gives us a little bit of an indication of what our attitude should be when doing The viduy.

QUESTION NUMBER 4-WHAT IS SOME GOOD ADVICE FOR HOW TO MAKE USING THE FOUR STEPS MORE PRODUCTIVE?

Some people have found that if they write out the steps first, and then say them out loud, that this can be helpful. This helps one to have one’s thoughts clearly spelled out (especially during the Ten Days of Teshuva when the main mitzvah of the time period is teshuva).

Some people take the steps, memorize them, and at the end of one specific davening everyday take something through the steps. This is a great tool for gaining familiarity with the steps and learning how to use them.

QUESTION NUMBER 5-WHAT HAPPENS IF I USE THE STEPS AND I FIND THAT THEY CONFUSE AND OVERWHELM ME?

Sometimes a person sits down and starts to do teshuva using the steps and he finds that they just don’t work for him. He finds that whenever he starts to use them, he gets overwhelmed or confused. He knows that when he sat down and did teshuva last year when he didn’t know the steps, he grew a lot. But now that he knows the steps, it just isn’t working for him. The Rosh Yeshiva once gave a. very important Shmooze on this topic and mentioned that if this is your situation, that the steps are getting in the way of your ability to do teshuva, then “just change”. You’ll get The hang of the steps next year.

NOW IS THE TIME TO TRY THE WHOLE PROCESS

Doing teshuva properly s a process that takes some practice. The month of Elul is a good time to work on it. Take a small area that is easy for you to change in and start doing The four steps. Try it. Learn what is holding you back. By working on these steps over a period of time, you will find your relationship to G-d will improve drastically.

Tomorrow we will be answering the most important question of alt, how does one do the fourth step ot teshuva, the commitment never to do a transgression again.

3.01 Week 3-Understanding Teshuva and Slichos; Teshuva-A Restoration of Relationship

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3.01 UNDERSTANDING TESHUVA AND SLICHOS: TESHUVA – A RESTORATION OF RELATIONSHIP

INTRODUCTION TO THE THIRD WEEK

We are now beginning the third week of the month of Elul. Two of your four weeks of preparation should now be completed. This third week is dedicated to understanding the principles behind the teshuva process and the Selichos process.

AN ANALOGY

You are 16 years old and your father has told you to take out the garbage. This is the job you hate most in the world. So you acknowledge that you heard what he said, and then you walk out of the house to go to school without doing it. When you arrive home, your father calls you into the room and asks you why you didn’t take out the garbage. You reply that you forgot and you will do it. But then you start thinking about the smelly garbage room and the bugs. You go to sleep without taking it out.

The next morning your father asks again why you didn’t take out the garbage. You apologize profusely and then go to school without taking it out.

When you arrive home, your father calls you again and asks you why you didn’t take out the garbage. This time you know that you are in trouble, ”Son, I want you to know that you have done something really wrong. The issue is not that you haven’t taken the garbage out for these three times. The issue is that you have hurt our relationship. Three times you told me that you would do it and each time you promised me. Now I know one thing; I cannot trust your word anymore. This shows that, on a certain level, you don’t respect me or value our relationship. I want you to think over what you have done and decide what you need to do to rectify the wrong you have done.

Your father’s words really make an impression. Now you really feel bad. It finally hit you what you have done. You want to return to your father and tell him you are sorry. It is not so simple in this case to just say you are sorry. There is something more serious involved here. You have damaged your credibility with your father. Just saying you are sorry is not enough to repair the damage.

So you decide to make a plan. After thinking about what you did, you decided to take the following steps:

Step One-You sincerely feel regret for what you have done. You will not try to push away these feelings of regret over what you have done but rather you will let yourself use them in order to spur you to take the steps necessary to change.

Step Two-You will listen to your father. Until you get forgiveness from him you will make sure to listen to everything else that he asks of you.

Step Three-You will go to him and ask forgiveness for what you have done. You will tell him that you are sorry.

Step Four– You will tell him that you have made a decision to listen to his instructions and will not procrastinate any longer.

The next day you go to your father and explain how sorry you are, and that in the future you promise to listen to him immediately when asked to do something. You pour out your heart to him and beseech him to forgive you. Upon seeing your great sincerity and change in attitude, your father wholeheartedly forgives you and warmly welcomes you back into his good graces.

What has occurred here? You have restored your relationship with your father. You have taken a situation of a wounded relationship with him and turned it around. Because you took the time to think it out and sincerely change, you were accepted back by him with joy.

AN EXPLANATION OF THE ANALOGY

When someone does a transgression against G-d he is, in effect, harming the relationship between himself and his Father-in-Heaven. Therefore, he needs to repair the damage to the relationship. The methodology of this repair is known as the process of teshuva. The Chovos HaLevavos (The Duties of the Heart)’ Shaar Teshuva, in Chapter 4 explains this process in depth. (All text in bold print is from the Duties of the Heart):

THE FOUR STEPS OF TESHUVA

The essential steps of teshuva are four:

  1. Regret-That the returnee should regret the sins already committed;
  2. Abandonment-That he should renounce and abandon them;
  3. That he should confess them and beseech forgiveness for having committed them.
  4. That he should firmly pledge with all his heart and soul not to repeat them.

1 REGRET

Regret Is a sign that his evil deed is repulsive In his eyes.

How does regret enhance the ability to restore your relationship with someone?

We observe among people that the exhibition of regret for a wrong one has done to his neighbor is a strong ground for granting forgiveness.

Strong regret is often enough to stimulate the whole process of teshuva. When someone is trying to repair a relationship, if the offending party has no regret for what he did, it is very hard to fully forgive him.

2 ABANDONMENT

Without abandoning the sin during the teshuva process, the process won’t work. Can you imagine trying to ask forgiveness from someone while you are wronging him at the same time.

We observe among people that if one has wronged his neighbor and, after expressing regret, ceases to wrong him, it is proper to forgive and overlook the transgression.

3 CONFESSION AND BESEECHING FORGIVENESS

Beseeching forgiveness is a sign of the sinner’s humility and submissiveness before G-d and confession of iniquity is a ground for forgiveness.

How exactly does this restore one’s relationship with someone?

We observe among people that if one sinned against his neighbor, and then humbles himself before him, openly confesses that he sinned, and wronged him, and beseeches forgiveness, and the neighbor realizes that the sinner regrets his sin he had committed, he will not withhold his pardon and will overlook the transgression, and the grudge in his heart will be removed.

4 PLEDGING NOT TO REPEAT THE OFFENSE

Finally, pledging not to repeat the offense Is a sign that he realizes the negativity of his conduct and the enormity of his sin.

How does this restore one’s relationship with someone?

We observe among people that when one who sinned against his neighbor pledges himself not to wrong the latter again, and shows that he regrets and abandons his sin, and confesses it, this will complete the grounds for forgiveness and secure removal of his transgression and remission of his punishment.

TESHUVA IS A RESTORATION OF RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AL-MIGHTY

It is clear from the Chovos HaLevavos that returning to the Al-mighty involves the same process as making up with a person that you have wronged. In each of these four steps of teshuva we see it parallels the same steps that one would use to restore a human relationship. Teshuva is returning to G-d in the same way as you fix up a relationship with a person.

THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING THE ESSENCE OF TESHUVA

Many people are confused as to what teshuva really is. They think the word teshuva means change. So when they say, “I did teshuva they really mean “I have changed.” But we see from Chovos HaLevavos that it is not so simple. You might have changed, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have done complete teshuva. When you do a transgression against G-d, your relationship with Him suffers a setback. You push Him farther away with every negative act. So teshuva means bringing back your relationship to where it was prior to the transgression.

So obviously the questions you have to ask yourself are: Where is your relationship with G-d now? Do you have one? Do you feel His presence? Do you’ love Him? Do you feel far away from Him? By working through the steps of teshuva regularly, one will find that his relationship with the Al-mighty will be radical­ly improved and brought to a new level of connection and oneness.

In tomorrow’s sheet, we will be exploring some of the most frequently asked questions about the four steps of teshuva.

2.04 Week 2-Developing A Relationship With G-d: Pathways to G-d-Part 2

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2.04 DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP WITH G-D: PATHWWAYS TO G-D Part 2

INTRODUCTION

In yesterday’s Sheet, we discussed some pathways to G-d. Most of the pathways discussed in yesterday’s sheet dealt with ways to get close to G-d through the avenue of learning. Today’s suggestions focus mainly on pathways to G-d through tools in our daily life.

REMINDER

It is not beneficial to try all of the pathways at once. The purpose of all these options is to offer you a choice so that you can choose the pathway most suitable to your personality. So choose the one that motivates you the most and start experimenting to see if it works.

PATHWAY NUMBER 1-USE THE POWER OF BLESSINGS TO GET CLOSE TO G-D

People seldom realize the power of the brachos (blessings) they say all day long. An Aish HaTorah student once went to HaRav Shach, zatsal, for some personal advice. At the end of their meeting the student asked HaRav Shach for a piece of advice on how to get close to G-d. The advice he received was simple and yet very true:

A very powerful way to grow closer to G-d is to utilize the tool of brachos. In the course of the day, we say many blessings thanking G-d for all the great pleasures in the world; think how much more powerful they would be if we focused and concentrated on them. Rav Shach emphasized that if one wants to develop a relationship with Hashem this is one of the most powerful tools in all of the Torah. In addition, it has the benefit of not being time consuming either.

Practical Suggestions – Before you say each blessing take a few seconds to focus on the reason why you are saying the blessing. Therefore, before you bite into that slice of bread take a moment to work on truly feeling gratitude for the gift that Hashem has placed before you. Then the blessings that you say will really be a blessing thanking G-d and not a rote, mechanical expression.

PATHWAY NUMBER 2-MAKE PRAYER A MAJOR PRIORITY

“The earlier Chassidim waited an hour before their prayer’ (Brachos 32b). Before praying, It is advantageous to consider the objectives of T’filah (Prayer)… One of the main purposes of prayer is the yearning of the soul to speak to Hashem; to make contact with the Soul of the Universe from which the individual soul originated; and to feel His reality as much as is possible for one to feel in his life. (Praise My Soul, Rabbi Avigdor Miller, p. 7)

Praying to G-d in the proper way can be one of the most powerful ways to get close to G-d. In yesterday’s sheet we spoke about the need to learn the siddur and know it well. Today’s pathway refers to actual prayer itself. This pathway suggests making prayer a major priority in one’s life. Make a commitment once and for all to do it right. No more hasty davening or mumbling words. Make a commitment to prepare for prayer. Learn techniques on how to pray in a successful way.

Practical Suggestions –1. Aryeh Kaplan has an excellent article in the Aryeh Kaplan Reader on how to have cavanah (mindful understanding) in prayer. It is very worthwhile to read and gives many excellent suggestions.

2. Start with one blessing a week in the Shmoneh Esrei or one section of the prayer service and really work on your cavannah. Take a new blessing or section every week and work on your cavanah with that section.

3. Come to davening 5 minutes early and clear out your mind before you begin to pray.

With proper effort one can, through prayer, rise to a very strong connection to the Al-mighty.

PATHWAY NUMBER 3-TALK TO G-D

The Chofetz Chaim was known to separate himself from people for a few hours each day to be alone, in order to contemplate life and turn his gaze inward to take stock of himself. He was also known to talk to G-d during this period each day.

“At times, individuals managed to follow him surreptitiously, and from some place of hiding they were able to listen to his tearful words that could shake any soul to Its depths and evoke tears and thoughts of repentance.” He would speak In an audible voice, sharp and clear. . . He began as a rule by giving thanks and praise to the blessed Lord for the kindness He had bestowed on him; and he regarded everything as a great privilege and kindness that he did not deserve. So he expressed his gratitude for all the Divine goodness… (The Chofetz Chaim, Volume 2, Chapter 68, In the Attic, Artscroll Publications)

Of course, it goes without saying that we shouldn’t be taking a few hour a day out of our learning in order to talk to G-d. We are not the Chofetz Chaim who barely slept at all at night. Rather this pathway suggests taking out a few minutes everyday to talk to G-d from the depths of your heart.

Practical Suggestions –1. You can do this every day during the prayer service at the proper place in the service, you can go down to the Kotel once a week between seder hour to do this, or you take some of your free time also between seder hours to do this.

Talking to G-d for a few minutes a day can be a very powerful tool in helping develop a strong relationship with Him.

PATHWAY NUMBER 4-WRITE YOUR OWN PRAYERS

It was always a custom of great Rabbis to compose their own prayers to help open up their hearts. This pathway suggests that a person sit down and write out a prayer that will move his heart to be inspired in an area that he wants to grow in. For example, many yeshiva students have a custom of saying a prayer at the beginning and ending of their day’s studies. Let’s say you are working on an area you want to correct in your learning, like not talking so much during seder hours or learning stronger, why not write out a 2 or 3 line addition to that prayer asking G-d for the strength to learn harder and stronger without interruptions. Or maybe you are working on not speaking Loshon Hora, why not write out a prayer that will inspire you not to speak it and say it after every davening.

Practical Suggestions –1. Choose an area that you really want to improve in and are motivated to pray for.

2. Then sit down a write a prayer that will stir your emotions to conquer the thing you are trying to beat.

3. Figure out a proper time to say it when you know you will have cavanah (mindful intention).

PATHWAY NUMBER 5-REFLECT ON NATURE

How does one achieve love of the Creator and reverence for Him? When a person contemplates His great acts and wondrous creations, seeing In them an Infinite and timeless wisdom, he immediately loves, praises and glorifies the Creator, yearning eagerly to know His grandeur. (Rambam, Yesodei HaTorah 2.2)

The heavens relate the glory of G-d, and the firmament declares His handiwork (Tehillim 19.1).

Lift up your eyes on high and see Who created these Who brings you their host by number, Who calls them all by names.” (Isaiah 40.26)

The phenomena of the physical world are to be compared to lighted signs on the highway at night which constantly flash the message “Keep awake! Keep awake! This message is of such urgency that it must continuously be reiterated, or else the results would be disastrous. We too are urged not to fall asleep at the wheel on the highway of life; because the recognition of the Creator’s greatness is not merely an achievement in our lives, but is life itself and is the sole justification of life. Therefore the Creator fashioned the world in such a manner that the message Is being flashed to us from all sides. (Awake My Glory, Avigdor Miller, P. 283)

This pathway suggests spending a certain amount of time each week when you are not learning to contemplate the wondrous creations of G-d. If one learns how to see the amazing wonders of creation, this can be a tremendous inspiration to growing in your relationship to G-d.

Practical Suggestions –1. Read the works of Rabbi Avigdor Miller, which, in general, are filled with many examples of the wonders of creation. See “Awake My Glory”, Chapter 17 or ‘Sing You Righteous” Chapter 7 for just a few great examples.


2. Pay attention to startling natural phenomena, such as electrical storms, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. These powerful phenomena can lead one to powerful awe of the Al-mighty.

3. When you are taking a walk on Shabbat take the time to contemplate the wonderful natural world that surrounds you.

PATHWAY #6-DO ONE MITZVAH RIGHT

We are commanded to love G-d, as it is stated, “And you shall love the L-rd your G-d.” The substance of the precept Is that we should consider and reflect on His commandments . . . until we attain a concept of Him according to our ability, and we can then feel joy In perceiving Him with the utmost delight. (Sefer HaChinuch, mitzvah 418)

Did you ever sometimes get the feeling that you are overwhelmed by doing so many mitzvos and not really doing any of them with excellence. This pathway suggests taking one mitzvah that you do frequently and become an expert in it. By learning about one mitzvah on a very deep level, and then really trying to perfect yourself in its service, you will come to appreciate the power of a mitzvah and the One that gave it.

Practical Suggestions – 1. Choose a mitzvah that you always wanted to perform and know well. Options might be shma, shmoneh esreh, t’fillin, birchat cohanim (if you are a cohen), mezuzah.

2. Learn the halachos of that mitzvah well. Really take the time to get clear on all its confusing aspects.

3. After you have learned the halachos start researching what the commentaries have to say about the meaning behind the mitzvah. Look up the verse associated with that mitzvah in the Chumash and start hunting down what the commentaries have to say about it. See if there is a book that comments on this subject in depth. Take good notes on the subject.

4. Make goals for improving your performance of the mitzvah. For example, if you are working on the mitzvah of saying the shma, then write down that you want to have deep cavannah initially on the first paragraph and then try to improve your performance.

5. After you have achieved your goal in the knowledge and performance of this mitzvah, take a moment to reflect how good you feel now that you have perfected aspects of the mitzvah. Reflect on the power of having a mitzvah known and performed well.

6. Finally, reflect on the goodness of G-d that gave you the mitzvah in the first place to grow and achieve your potential.

The amazing power of doing a mitzvah and perfecting your service in it, can show you the power of mitzvahs in general. When a person contemplates the wondrous aspects of a mitzvah that help him reach perfection, it will lead him to a powerful love of G-d.

PATHWAY NUMBER 7-HAVE A TIME TO RELATE TO G-D DIRECTLY BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP

Master of the World, Behold I forgive anyone that angered me or provoked me or that sinned against me whether to my body or my money or my honor or in anyway having to do anything with me… May It be your will L-rd my G-d and G-d of my fathers that I won’t sin again and that I won’t return to my sins. (The confession before Krias Shma Al HaMita)

It has always been a custom of the Jewish People to speak to G-d directly before we go to sleep telling
Him that we that forgive others and doing teshuva for anything that one has done wrong on that day. This is a perfect time to reflect and introspect on your relationship to G-d in general and to see if you have fulfilled your purpose on this earth. This is the time to evaluate if you have fulfilled your goals in relating to
G-d.

SUMMARY

Everyone has their own way to get close to G-d. And everyone has a different pathway. The purpose of this set of suggestions is for someone to choose a direction or two in his Avodas Hashem (Service of G-d), and start to actively work on doing something that will bring him closeto G-d in a very practical and substantial way. So now is the time. Take a pathway and choose the direction in which you want to go.

TAKING STOCK OF WHERE WE ARE IN THE MONTH OF ELUL

We have almost completed the second week of the month of Elul. And now we have to ask ourselves:Where are we holding with respect to the overall purpose of Elul?

Are we waking up to the power of the High Holy Days?

Are we preparing for the upcoming days of judgement?

Do we feel that we are waking up to what life is supposed to be all about?

If you find that the answer is no to all or most of the above questions, the time has come to get to work.

Any intelligent person who is scheduled for trial before a mortal king of flesh and blood will surely spend sleepless nights and days preparing his case. He will seek the advice of every knowledgeable person he knows that can help him prepare his case. He will go to great lengths to attain a favorable verdict, even if all that is at stake is but a small part of his fortune and he faces no personal risk. Should he not do so as well when he is brought to judgement before the Supreme King of Kings, the Holy Blessed One, when he himself, his children, and his fortune all hang in the balance?…Therefore, it is important to begin preparing for Rosh HaShana at least thirty days earlier, from Rosh Chodesh of the month of Elul. This is the minimum time required to rouse oneself fully from one’s yearlong stupor. (Menoras HaMeor-The Ten Days of Teshuva, Rabbeinu Yitchak Abohav)

If you haven’t yet begun to get started on the work of Elul, then now is the time to get to work. There is not too much time left.

Next week, with the help of G-d, we will be exploring the world of teshuva and Slichos.

2.03 Week 2-Developing A Relationship With G-d: Pathways to G-d-Part 1

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2.03 DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP WITH G-D: PATHWWAYS TO G-D Part 1

NTRODUCTION

Yesterday we spoke about the need to make G-d the major priority in our lives. We also spoke about the importance of studying every day the things that will bring us close to Him. The following are a few suggestions for long and short term projects that one can undertake to develop a greater relationship to G-d.

THE NEED TO EXPERIMENT

When trying to build a relationship with G-d it is essential to realize that your soul is a complicated puzzle. Your goal is to try to solve it. No one knows the way to get you close to G-d. Only you can discover the secret. It requires a certain amount of experimentation on your part. It also requires a realization that it might take a few unsuccessful attempts until you find a methodology that works. So take one of these pathways and get to work. Choose the one that is most appropriate to who you are and get started.

WARNING

It must be clearly understood that these projects should not interfere with any of your other Yeshiva obligations. They should be done in the unscheduled free time of your day. Please consult with your Rebbe or Program Director on any decisions that you make.

PATHWAY NUMBER 1-LEARN THE SIX CONSTANT MITZVOS

The Sefer HaChinuch, the famous work on the 613 mitzvos, wrote in his “Author’s Note” about the different types of mitzvos that we are required to fulfill. He writes about a series of mitzvos that are different from all the other ones:

The obligation to observe most of the other mitzvos does not apply constantly, but only for certain times of the year or day. The following six precepts, though, are an exception; their obligation is constant; it is not interrupted or removed from a person for even one moment in all his days. These are:

1. To believe in G-d
2. Not to believe in anything other than Him
3. To Know He is One
4. To Love Him
5. To Fear Him
6. Not to turn after the thoughts of the heart or the sight of the eyes

The Six Constant Mitzvos are the backbone of all of Judaism. Without a proper awareness of what they are and how to do them, one is truly missing the most powerful tools that exist to get to G-d. If one hasn’t had a class on them or hasn’t studied them, now is the time to resolve to understand them once and for all.

Practical Suggestions — 1. Find an older student who has learned the material and ask him to teach them to you.

2. Aish HaTorah has a pamphlet called ‘The Six Constant Mitzvos.” It can be very helpful for a beginner to the subject.

3. Study the Six Constant Mitzvos in the Sefer HaChinuch. For those who can’t read about them in Hebrew, Feldheim Publishers has an excellent English translation.

4. Listen to some of the tapes in the library on the subject.

With the High Holy Days fast approaching, and people making various resolutions to become close to G-d, make a commitment to learn this very important topic.

PATHWAY NUMBER 2-STUDY THE SIDDUR AND KNOW IT WELL

The Siddur, constitutes a major Torah compendium which includes a large portion of the Holy Scriptures. It includes also the compositions of Ezra and the Men of the Great Assembly, including a number of the last prophets, who were the authors of the Brachos (including the Shmoneh Esrei). The use of the Siddur is therefore a means of learning and it is the study of the fundamentals of Torah ideology in their most abstract and generalized form. By proper use of the regular prayers they can serve as a table of contents and an index to almost all of the general principles of the Torah and the duties of the Heart and the ways of Love and Fear of Hashem. Thus the study of the siddur is an important form of Torah learning, and is also a major method of gaining greatness of soul and acquiring the True Knowledge. (Praise My Soul, R. Avigdor Miller, p. 8)

R. Avigdor Miller is telling us about a second pathway to G-d. When one considers that he spends close to two hours a day in prayer, the obvious conclusion should be that one should know its meaning. R. Avigdor Miller is emphasizing that the Siddur can add for us tremendous insights about how to get close to G-d.

Practical Suggestions — 1. Since we are now in the month of Elul, the obvious place to begin is to learn the Machzor of the High Holy Days. Look at an Artscroll or Metzudah Machzor and begin to study the Shmoneh Esrei of the Shacharis and Musaf Services.

2. For those who know Hebrew, try Sifse Chaim by R. Chaim Freidlander. In the back of the sefer there is an excellent supplement called Rinas Chaim which gives beautiful explanations of the holiday prayers. You can also try the Otser HaTfillos . For those who need an English text, try The Shemoneh Esrei: Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur by R. Aaron Werner. Another possibility is the Hirsch Siddur or the World of Prayer by Rabbi Munk.

3. For the rest of the year, try to make a commitment to study the meanings of the prayers. For practical suggestions on how to do this, see the Tisha B’av Series, Sheet number 15, page 2.

PATHWAY NUMBER 3-LEARN AGADA

One of the greatest ways to get close to is from the study of the Agadic literature is spread out all over the Torah:

Is it your desire to know the One that spoke and the world came into being? Learn Agada. (Sifre, Ekev 49.11.22)

The Sifre is telling us that the Agada as a form of learning has the power to bring us to know G-d in a very powerful way.

Practical Suggestions — Unfortunately, Agada can be very difficult. It is not always easy to understand its true meaning. Therefore one should study it with someone who is knowledgeable enough in Torah to give you the correct understanding.

1. Remember all those fascinating Agadas that when you studied in your Gemora Shiur you studied the “Pshat” (the basic meaning) and you always wanted to go back to understand them more in depth? Hunt around during Bein HaZman (yeshiva intercession) for a Rav that has some spare time. Then have him teach it to you. See in a deeper way what the piece is trying to tell you. Pull out an Ein Yaakov (the classic set of commentaries on the Agada) and try to gain even deeper insights into it.

2. For those who don’t have access to a Ray, try to find a book that will take the place of the Ray so that you won’t make a mistake in understanding its meaning. An excellent example of this is The Juggler and the King by Rabbi Aaron Feldman.

If you do this over a period of time, you will realize the power of the Agada to bring a greater and more powerful understanding of who G-d is and how to get close to Him.

PATHWAY NUMBER 4-LEARN A PIECE OF TORAH VERY DEEPLY AND APPRECIATE IT AS AN AMAZING GIFT FROM G-D

It is stated, “You shall Love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and all your soul and your might.” While it is stated, “and you shall love” this does not tell me how a man is to love G-d. Therefore the Torah states, “And these words which I command you today shall be on your heart (Dvarim 6.6): for as a result of this you- will “recognize” the One who spoke and the world came into existence. (Sifre, Dvarim #33)~ In other words, by reflecting (hitbonneut) on the Torah, the love of G-d settles in your heart.(The Sefer Hachinuch Mitzvah 418):

This pathway suggests that you take a topic that has always interested you in Torah and then study it on a very deep level. Take a topic, verse, or mitzvah and study it from many different angles. Research it as deep as you can, and just when you think you have gone as deep as you possibly can, go even a little more in depth. When you do this you will see the beauty of the Torah. If you enjoy this, just imagine the tens of thousands of other topics like this in the Torah.

Now take a moment to reflect on the beauty and genius of the Torah. In every area of life, there are so many ingenious and wonderful things that the Torah has to offer. This is precisely the moment to sit down and realize the greatness of G-d who gave you such a present. It is also the time to realize that the giving of the Torah is a sign of G-d’s total love for us. With these thoughts according to the Sefer HaChinuch you will come to ”recognize” G-d.

PATHWAY NUMBER 5-TAKE EACH ONE OF THE 613 MITZVOS AND SEE WHAT IT TEACHES YOU ABOUT A RELATIONSHIP WITH G-D

The 613 Mitzvos seem like a vast and endless ocean and many times we don’t understand how they relate to a greater understanding of G-d and life. What does the Beis HaMikdash teach me about G-d? What does Tuma and Tahara (purity and impurity) teach me about G-d? Why not explore the world of the 613 and see how they enable you to reach and understand G-d in a powerful and exciting way.

Practical Suggestions — Take a piece of paper or an index card and write down on the top the mitzvah name and number. Research the meaning of each mitvah in the various different mitvahs books and develop a workable pshat as to how each mitvah brings you closer to G-d or teaches about G-d in one fashion or another. This method has been proven successful to help people to see G-d and how He relates to everything in every aspect of one’s life.

PATHWAY NUMBER 6-STUDY THE MEANINGS BEHIND ALL THE HOLIDAYS

Every holiday is a phenomenal opportunity to get closer to G-d. Each of the mitzvahs of the holiday period is a tool to accomplish what is the purpose of the holiday. This pathway suggest to have a set time in understanding the holidays all year round, for a half hour a day. Start at the most upcoming holiday and spend a month on researching all the pertinent aspects of the Holiday including the mitvahs, the scroll relating to the Holiday (i.e. Eichah, Ruth, Shir HaShirim), the customs, the halachos etc.

If a person does this all year around, he will find that he will be prepared for all the holidays that come around. One won’t have that sinking feeling of having to cram in all the aspect of a holiday just a few days before it begins.

SUMMARY

Now is the time to take practical steps to get close to G-d. Try one of the options presented, then refine it and make it more powerful to you. If it doesn’t work, then choose another and try again. The main thing is to – make the attempt and then Hashem will surely open up the avenues to help you find the answer. Tommorow we will be discuss ing more Pathways to grow to a relationship to G-d.

2.02 Developing A Relationship With G-d : The Greatest Priority

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2.02 DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP WITH G-D: THE GREATEST PRIORITY

When Elul and the High Holy Days come around, we normally make very deep and profound resolutions that this year will be different and we will truly work on getting close to G-d. Then the year zooms past us and we somehow don’t seem to achieve what we claimed was our top priority.

Why does that happen? And what can we do in the future to make sure it doesn’t happen again? Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, the Ramchal, (1707-1746) in the introduction to his classic work the “Mesilas Yesharim’ (The Path of the Just) deals with this question extensively.

The following sheet is a condensed presentation of the Introduction to the “Mesillas Yesharim.” It offers no novel insights. But there is no greater and more powerful message for the month of Elul than to get into one’s heart what the Ramchal wrote in his Introduction over 250 years ago to the people of his generation.

G-D ASKS ONLY ONE THING FROM YOU: DO THE THINGS THAT BRING YOU CLOSE TO HIM

The most important goal of our lives should be to develop a deep relationship with G-d:

And now Israel, what does the L-rd your G-d ask of you, but that you fear the L-rd your G-d to walk in all His ways, and to love Him and serve the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and all your soul, to observe the mitzvos of G-d and His statutes…(Devarim 10.12)

THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY ROLE MODELS IN THE AREA OF RELATING TO G-D

The Ramchal wrote that in his generation the majority of capable individuals were not involved in the pursuit of a relationship with G-d:

A consideration of the general state of affairs will reveal that the majority of men of quick intelligence and keen mentality devote most of their thought and speculation to the subtleties of wisdom and the depths of analysis each according to the Inclination of his intelligence and his natural bent. There are some who expend a great deal of effort in studying the creation and nature. Others devote all of their thoughts to astronomy and mathematics, and others to the arts. There are those who go more deeply into sacred studies, into the study of the holy Torah, some occupying themselves with Halachic discussions, others with Midrash and others with legal decisions. There are few, however, who devote thought and study to perfections of Divine service — to love of G-d. fear of G-d. cleaving to G-d and all of the other aspects of piety.

This Elul we have to ask ourselves which of these groups do we belong to: to those who devote their time and energy to perfecting their relationship to C­d, or to those who do not.(see Note Below)

EVERYONE ADMITS THAT GETTING CLOSE TO G-D IS THE TOP PRIORITY, BUT THEY STILL DON’T WORK ON IT

What happens when you ask people why they don’t spend the proper amount of time on the study of how to get close to G-d? The Ramchal answers this question:

It is not that they consider this knowledge unessential; if questioned each one will maintain that it is of para­mount importance and that one who is not clearly versed in it cannot be deemed truly wise.

Their failure to devote more attention to it stems rather from it being so manifest and so obvious to them that they see no need for spending much time upon it.

Now we have the answer as to why people neglect this subject. It is too obvious to them. And since it is so simple to them, they move on to more complicated matters and then totally forget about this important subject:

PEOPLE DON’T SUCCEED IN THEIR DIVINE SERVICE BECAUSE IT DOESN’T REALLY OCCUPY A PLACE IN THEIR MIND

As a result of the fact that people don’t spend much time learning about G-d, their minds are not occupied with the service of G-d.

The real, desired piety that we are looking for, is very far from our mind for It Is obvious that a person does not concern himself with what does not occupy a place In his mind.

IF YOU DON’T MAKE GETTING CLOSE TO G-D A MAJOR PRIORITY IN YOUR LIFE YOU WILL LOSE COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES TO DRAW CLOSE TO HIM

As a result of not having the service of G-d in our minds, we miss many opportunities to draw close to Him:

And though the beginnings and foundations of piety are implanted in every person’s heart, if he does not occupy himself with them, he will witness details of piety without recognizing them, and he will pass them up without feeling or perceiving that he is doing so.

WE NEED TO MAKE THIS STUDY OUR MAIN PRIORITY IN THE DAY

The conclusion that we should draw this Elul is that our biggest priority for the upcoming year must be the study of how to draw close to G-d. Nothing should budge us from this resolution:(see Note Below)

How, then, is it conceivable that is not be necessary to expend time upon this study in order to know these truths and the manner in which they may be acquired and fulfilled? How will this wisdom enter a person’s heart if he will not seek It… What will we answer in the day of reproof If we weaken In this study and forsake that which Is so incumbent upon us as to be the very essence of what the L-rd our G-d asks of us? Is it fitting that our Intelligence exert itself and labor in speculations which are not binding upon us, in fruitless argumentation, In laws which have no application to us, while we leave to habit and abandon to mechanical observance our great debt to our Creator … If we analyzed the matter honestly, would we not extract the truth and thereby benefit ourselves, and also be of benefit to others by Instructing them In it.

YOU MUST STUDY THIS SUBJECT IN DEPTH IN ORDER TO SUCCEED

When you study this subject, the only way to really integrate it is to study it slowly and in depth:

Fear of G-d and only Fear of G-d is considered wisdom. And there is no doubt that what entails no analysis is not considered wisdom. The truth of the matter is that all these things require deep study If they are to be known In truth and not through imagination and false logic. How much more so if they are to be acquired and attained.

YOU MUST SEARCH FOR THIS IN THE SAME WAY AS YOU HAVE GONE AFTER MONEY IN YOUR LIFE

One of the best ways to judge to what extent you should be motivated in this area is to ask yourself what you have done for money in the past and then apply that knowledge to your pursuit of G-d:

As stated by Shlomo, (Mishle 2.4), If you seek it as silver and search for it as a treasure, then you will understand the fear of G-d.” He does not say, ‘Then you will understand philosophy; then you will understand astronomy; then you will understand medicine; then you will understand legal judgements and decisions. We see, then, that for fear of G-d to be understood, it must be sought after as silver and searched for as a treasure. All this is part of our heritage and is accepted in substance by every devout individual.

The only way to succeed is to go after the pursuit of G-d the same way the rest of the world goes after money.

CONCLUSION

Now is the time to commit for the rest of the year to set aside time every day to work on how to get close to G-d:

Is it conceivable that we should find time for all other branches of study and none for thIs study? Why should a man not at least set aside for himself certain times for this speculation if he is obliged In the remainder of his time to turn to other studies and undertakings… That which the earthliness of nature seeks to remove from our hearts, reading and contemplation will summon to our consciousness and will awaken us to what is incumbent upon us.

*NOTE: It must be clearly understood that just because something is the major priority in your life, you don’t necessarily spend all of your day on it. Past experi­ence has shown that it just isn’t productive. The pur­pose of this sheet is to encourage setting the proper time aside to work on these subjects, not to reject all other priorities in learning. We mentioned in sheet three, that the Rosh Yeshiva suggested spending be­tween 30-60 minutes a day on these subjects, de­pending on your personality.

2.01 Week 2 – Developing A Relationship With G-d: Cleaving to G-d

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2.01 DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP WITH G-D:  CLEAVING TO G-D

1. INTRODUCTION

According to the Harav Noach Weinberg, the purpose of the first week of Elul, was to do the things that would wake us up to the responsibiiities of the upcoming High Holy Days. Those who followed the advice should be feeling more energized and motivated to approach the coming weeks of Elul.

If you haven’t seen a copy of Sheet 1, or even if you have, but haven’t done the things suggested in it, please take a minute to read it. It is very important to realize that the sheets in the upcoming weeks are based on the assumption that you have done some of the suggestions from Sheet 1.

The theme of the second week according the Rosh Yeshiva’s system is called “Developing and Streng­thening Your Relationship With G-d.” After a one week period of waking ourselves up, the next priority is to do the things that will inspire and strengthen a true relationship with G-d. Often when we begin to examine our relationship with G-d we seem to get stuck. Where do we begin and what do we shoot for? Today’s general introduction is designed to help us examine aspects of our life that might need improve­ment in our relationship to G-d. At the end of the week we will be bringing practical tools on how to achieve many of the ideas suggested.

2. GIVE ME YOUR HEART

One of the major purposes of Elul should be to ex­amine where our hearts are at. It is the time of the year that we must get to the very root of our souls. Are we living for the right reason or are we living for the false illusions of life? Now is the time to examine and correct any difficulties that we see. And of course, the main area to examine is our relationship with G-d.

G-d said, (Mishle 23.26), “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe My ways. “ If you give Me your heart and eyes, I will know that you are Mine.” (Yerushalml Brachos)

Where is your heart? Is it dedicated to being with the Al-mighty? And are your eyes open to see His ways? These are some of the most basic questions to begin to ask at the beginning of the Elul season.

3.  ARE WE REALLY PRAYING TO G-D?

One of the true ways to measure our dedication to Hashem is to examine our prayers. Prayer is one of the most powerful expressions of our love and com­mitment. Now that Elul has arrived we should serious­ly and honestly ask ourselves, “If I really cared about G-d with all my heart, then why do I often think about so many other things during prayer other than Him?”

The verse states (Devarim 26.16), ‘You shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” At the time that you pray be­fore the Holy One, you should not divide your heart, giving one part to the Holy One, and one part to other matters. (Tanchuma Tavo, Ot Aleph)

4.  EVERYBODY HAS THEIR OWN PATH

The purpose of Elul is to gain an awareness of the areas that are holding us back from complete dedica­tion to G-d and to rededicate ourselves in that area. It is important to realize that each individual has their own special areas to rededicate in their Avodas Ha­shem and one persons path may be unlike anyone else’s. From the following Gemora we can see that there are different paths to get to a single goal.

‘You shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (Devar­im 26.16), “R. Eliezar says: “If the Torah already states ‘with all your soul,’ why was It necessary to state ‘with all your might’? And if It stated ‘with all your might,’ why was it necessary to state ‘with all your soul’? But this Is to teach you that if there is a man to whom his existence (I.e. soul) Is more pre­cious to him than his money (might), we are told (that one must love G-d) “with all your soul.’ On the other hand, if there Is a man whose money is more precious than his existence, we are told, (that one must love G­-d) ‘with all your might.”’ (Pesachim 25a)

Certain people need to dedicate to G-d with their money and certain people need to dedicate with their willingness to die for G-d. No one can reach levels of love in the same way. Everyone must sit down and re­dedicate in Elul to conquering those things that are particularly holding him back.

5. THE ULTIMATE AIM IS TO STUDY TORAH FOR THE LOVE OF G-D ALONE

One of the objectives of Elul is to examine our mo­tivation even for the good things we do during the day:

We find that whoever studies Torah out of love (of G-d) and performs the commandments of his Creator out of love, will eventually reach the level of (Devarim 30.6) “to cleave to Him.” We have learned: What is meant by (Devarim 30.6) “To love the L-rd your G-d, to hearken to His voice, and to cleave to Him?” This teaches us that a person should not say, “I will study so that I will be called a Torah scholar,” “I will learn so that I will be called “Rabbi,” “I will learn so that I will be considered an elder and have a seat in the study hall” (among the elders). Instead, study out of love (for G-d), and honor will come in the end. (Nedarim 62a)

Even the good things we do in life should be done with the proper motivation. Even though we are told to learn torah even if it isn’t necessarily with the highest motivations, the goal is ultimately to to correct it. One of the purposes of Elul is to examine the motives even behind the good things that we do and slowly start to begin to correct it.

6. KNOW G-D IN EVERYTHING YOU DO

Another goal of Elul is to examine how much your life is integrated with a true perspective of the Al­mighty. The most powerful example of this is from King David, one of the most successful men of all time, whose life was always a shining example of knowing his place in relation to G-d:

What Is meant by (Mishle 3.6), “In all your ways, you shall know Him (G-d)?.” It means place Him in your heart wherever you may go, Just as David would do: He was a king, yet he said, “I am not a king. Only He is the King, and He anointed me.”… King David was a mighty man, and yet he said “I am not mighty.” He was rich, and yet he said,” I am not rich,” as in the verse (Tehillim 102.1), “A prayer of the destitute.” So too did he proclaim ‘Yours, 0 L-rd, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty.” He went to war and emerged victorious, and claimed, “It was not because of my valor that I was victorious, but because G-d helped me and made me emerge victorious, and it was He who taught me how to wage war.” (Midrash Shochar Tov-Mizmor 144)

7. THE REWARDS OF CLINGING TO G-D

If you are with G-d in all your endeavors in life, things will run smoothly for you:

Shlomo exclaimed (Mishle 3.6), “In all your ways, you shall know Him.” If you recognize the Holy One in all your actions, He will make straight the way for you in life. (Midrash Shochar Toy, Appendix Mizmor 119.5)

Not only does being with G-d make things run more smoothly, but you will be protected from harm.

Happy are the righteous and those who cling to them! What does it say about Hananiah, Mishael and Azari­ah? … (When they came out of the fiery furnace) “The fire had no power over their bodies, nor was a hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor had the smell of fire passed them” (Dan. 3.27). Why were their clothes not harmed? It is be­cause they were attached to them. And If the clothes which were attached to the righteous passed through fire without being harmed, then how much more will those who cleave to the Righteous One of the Uni­verse remain unharmed, as it states (Devarim 4.4), “And you, who have cleaved to the L-rd, are all alive today.” (Yalkut Shmone, Vaeschanan 824)

8. SUMMARY

Here we are in Elul, struggling to get clarity as to our future direction in life. But before we do anything we must ask ourselves the most basic question in life.  Where am I holding with my relationship to G-d? This is the time of year to get clear and focused on this issue. If we could figure out how to fully commit to Him and His ways, then everything else would fall into line. May we gain the courage and strength to fully dedicate ourselves to a relationship with G-d before the Day of Judgement comes around.

1.05 WAKING UP TO THE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR : MOTIVATING YOURSELF TO GET STARTED ON THE WORK OF ELUL

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1.05 WAKING UP TO THE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR : MOTIVATING YOURSELF TO GET STARTED ON THE WORK OF ELUL

MAKE IT DIFFERENT THIS YEAR

For those of us that were here last Tishrei, many of us can think back to the day after Yom Kippur when many of us had the feeling, “If I only knew at the beginning of Elul what I know now, would I do things differently. I would have…”

“Next year I am really going to study the Machzor early enough so I will finally understand it.”

“Next year I promise I will study the Slichos so I will be prepared and not depressed when I have to get up at 6:30 and daven for an hour and a half every morning.”

“Next year, I will have a plan for the year for growth so when I get up and say the Ashamnu and Al Chet confessions I will really mean it when I say I won’t be doing the sin again.”

And then Erev Rosh HaShanah comes along and you blow the dust off your machzor and you try to cram in all the different responsibilities and you get overwhelmed and just close it in frustration.

For those of us who have been here many years, how many times have we said the above statements after the Holiday period was over and then the following Elul did the exact same thing!

Why not start off this year on the right foot? Why not start with an planned approach to the holidays that after Yom Kippur you will be able to say, “I did my best and I am proud of myself.”

COMMON EXCUSES TO DELAY STARTING THE WORK OF ELUL

Excuse #1. ‘There Is just too much to do. I don’t know where to begin.”

Many people look at the awesome period ahead with the largest number of Holiday obligations of the whole year and say, “there is just too much to do.” And so they don’t do anything.

The problem is obvious. In one year, no one can learn all the material of the holiday period. To fully understand and comprehend all the laws is a process that takes many years. It is precisely in reference to this problem that the Mishnah in Pirke Avos is giving this advice:

You are not expected to complete the work and yet you are not free to evade it. (Pirke Avos 2.16)

No one expects you to learn the whole Elul and Tishrei curriculum within one year. But if you bite off a small chunk this year and take good notes about what you learned, then next year you can begin to conquer something else. But keep one thing very clear in your mind, under no circumstances are you free to evade dealing with your responsibilities just because you won’t be able to complete them.

Excuse #2. “I have too much other work to do.”

There is only one Elul in the year and there is only one Tishrei. G-d gave us many mitzvos to do specifically during this period. This necessitates sufficient preparation for them. Only by allotting the proper amount of time for preparation will you have the ability to fulfill your basic requirements. The fact that G-d gave us these mitzvos at this time of the year tells us that this is what we need to do to maximize our potential and not many of the other things that hold our attention.

Excuse #3. “I’ll do it when I have some free time in my schedule”

The day is short, the work is long, the workers are lazy, the reward Is great and the Master is insistent. (Pirke Avos 2.15)

The Yetzer Hora knows how to get us. He knows that if he says “Never do the work of Elul” you would never listen. So he says “Look, you will have some free time sooner or later, so do it then.”

To respond to this, the Mishnah in Pirkie Avos advises a person to do the following:

Repent the day before you die. (Pirke Avos 2.14)

Why does it say to repent the day before you die? Because maybe (G-d forbid) tomorrow you might die. Therefore the obligation to do teshuva is today.

Particularly during this time period it applies since this is the time of teshuva and change. The Mishnah is telling us to do teshuva now-when you have the opportunity — for tomorrow it may not be possible.

Excuse #4. I don’t know what to do.

Thank G-d you are in a yeshiva and there are many people around you who have lots of experience in the area of the High Holy Days and how to utilize them. If you are at a loss about what to do or how to take action, interview 5 people who have been around for many years and ask them what they have done over the past few holiday seasons that they felt was instrumental to their growth. This can give you great insights into how people approach the upcoming season in a successful way.

REALIZE THAT YOUR NATURE WILL DRAG YOU DOWN

It is important to realize that the Yetzer Hora will do everything in its power to drag you down, particularly during important time periods during the Jewish year:

A person’s nature exercises a strong downward pull upon him. This is so because the grossness which characterizes the substance of earthliness keeps a man from desiring exertion and labor. One who wishes, therefore to attain to the service of the Creator, must strengthen himself against his nature and be zealous. If he leaves himself in the hands of his downward-pulling nature, there is no question that he will not succeed. (Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter 6)

JUST GO AND DO IT

Sometimes the best thing to do is just to start moving and pretend that you are motivated to do something. If a person starts working on the teshuva process of Elul with an outer enthusiasm sometimes it can inflame an inner enthusiasm:

The man whose soul burns In the service of his Creator will surely not be idle In the performance of His mitzvos, but his movements will be like the quick movements of a fire; he will not rest or be still until the deed has been completed.

Furthermore, just as zeal can result from an inner burning so can it create one. That is, one who feels a quickening of his outer movements in the performance of a mitzvah, conditions himself to experience a flaming inner excitement. Through this, longing and desire will continually grow. If, however, he is sluggish in the movements of his limbs, the excitement of his spirit will die down and be extinguished. Experience testifies to this. (Mesillas Vesharim Chapter 7)

THE MARK OF EVERY TZADDIK IS THAT ALL THEIR DEEDS ARE DONE WITH GREAT MOTIVATION

All Tzadikim approach the concept of doing mitzvos with great motivation even when things are tough and difficult:

G-d appeared to Avraham in the Plain of Mamre… Avraham lifted his eyes and he saw three strangers standing a short distance from him. When he saw them from the entrance to the tent, he ran to greet them, bowing down to the ground. He said, Sir, do not go on without stopping by me. Let some water be brought and wash your feet… Avraham rushed to Sarah’s tent and said, Hurry! Three measures of the finest flour! Knead it and make rolls. Avraham ran to the cattle, and chose a tender, choice calf. He gave it to a young man who rushed to prepare it. (Beresheis 18)

We see here how Avraham Avinu on the third day after his Bris Mila when, in great pain, got up and ran to greet his guests. What was the rush? Was there any competition? Where else would the guests go? Yet he saw the mitzvah as a vital opportunity that must immediately be taken advantage of.

This should teach us how to deal with our preparations for the Holiday period. Even though things are tough, and we have a full schedule and it is so hard to work on ourselves, we should try nevertheless to approach the opportunity with the same level of commitment that Avraham Avinu had for his guests. We should not sluggishly deal with our responsibilities but rather run to perform them with the greatest zeal we can possibility sibly think of.

SUMMARY

Getting started on our Elul work can be difficult and frustrating. May these insights serve to inspire and motivate us to get started on the work that we need to do.

 

1.04 WAKING UP TO THE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR : THE OPPORTUNITY OF ELUL

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1.04 WAKING UP TO THE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR : THE OPPORTUNITY OF ELUL

WHEN G-D REVEALED HIMSELF TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE AT MOUNT SINAI THEY ROSE TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL IMAGINABLE

On Shavuos, in the year 2448, G-d revealed hlimself to the Jewish People on Mount Sinai. the Jewish People had cleansed themselves of the impurity of Egypt and had risen to the highest spiritual level. The greatness they had achieved cannot be underestimated. Af­ter uttering “na’aseh v’nishma (we will do and we will understand),” at Mount Sinai, they re­sembled angels rather than humans. They had regained the level of Adam before he sinned, and Hashem pronounced them free of the power of the Angel of Death. (Shmos Raba 32.7)

MOSHE’S FIRST ASCENT TO THE HEAVENS

Moses went up to heaven to learn the To­rah directly from G-d. Before ascending to heaven to receive the luchos, Moshe assured the people, “I will return in forty days, before noontime.” (Shmos Raba 41.8). At the end of the forty days, Hashem handed Moshe two sapphire luchos (tablets) of identical shape and size. On them, He had engraved the Ten Comandments

THE JEWISH PEOPLE MISCALCULATE MOSHE’S RETURN FROM MOUNT SINAI

At noon on the 40th day when Moshe didn’t return, the people knew that he would not be returning for the rest of that day. This was because Moshe would only ascend and descend in the early mornings. The people had calculated in the following manner: They calculated 40 days including the day when Moshe went up. In reality, Moshe had exclud­ed the day he went up from his calculation because he had still been in the camp the night preceding that day (i.e. it had not been a complete 24 hour period). Since Moshe had left on the seventh of Sivan, he should have returned, according to the people’s opinion, on the sixteenth of Tammuz. Ac­cording to Moshe’s calculations however, he was due not until the 17th of Tammuz. ­(Based on Rashi ‘When Moshe went up Shabbos 89)

THE JEWISH PEOPLE PANIC WHEN MOSHE DOESN’T RETURN AND THEY BUILD THE GOLDEN CALF

On the 16th of Tammuz when Moshe didn’t return, the Jewish People began to build the Golden Calf (The Chait Ha’aigel). As soon as the Bnei Yisrael had set up the aigel, the Clouds of Glory departed. The people thus remained bare of Divine protection. The an­gels descended and removed their immuni­ty from the Angel of Death. By their sin they relinquished their spiritual greatness and be­came mortal again. (Shmos Raba 51.8)

MOSHE’S SECOND ASCENT TO THE HEAVENS

After smashing the Tablets, destroying the Calf, and punishing the sinners, Moshe went up to plead for the lives of the Jewish People as a whole. On the nineteenth of Tam­muz, Moshe ascended to Heaven once again. He stayed there for forty days, until the 29th of Av, to plead with Hashem to pardon the Bnei Yisrael. (Rashi on Shmos 33.11) During that time, he presented his arguments in favor of the Jewish People with such intensity and fervor that his whole body was feverish. After 40 days of unceasing prayer, Hashem finally agreed to spare the Jewish People in the merit of their forefathers. On the last day of Av, Moshe returned to the people. Although he had evoked Hashem’s mercy, thus saving the Jewish Peo­ple from destruction, Moshe had not obtained forgiveness for their sin. (Tanchuma Ki Sisa 35)

MOSHE’S THIRD AND FINAL ASCENT TO THE HEAVENS

Moshe ascended Har Sinai on Rosh Cho­desh Elul and stayed in the heavenly camp for forty days. This was his third stay in Heaven (bringing to 120 the total number of days spent there.)

On the tenth of Tishrei, Hashem par­doned* KIal Yisrael for the Chait Ha’aigel. He gave Moshe the second luchos. Hashem designated this day as a day of forgiveness for all future generations: the day of Yom Kippur.

And on the new moon of Elul, G-d said to Moshe “Come up to me to the Mount and let them sound the shofar throughout the camp … so that they do not go astray after the worship of idols. And G-d is elevated with that shofar of that day… Therefore the sages instituted that the shofar be sounded on the new moon of Elul every year. (Pirke de Rebbi Eliezar Ch. 46)

In the Tur, chapter 581, it is stated that the shofar is to be blown not only on Rosh Cho­desh, but this custom is continued through­out the whole month of Elul in order to bring people to teshuva.

WHAT SHOULD SOMEONE BE THINKING WHEN HE HEARS THE SHOFAR BEING BLOWN IN ELUL?

A.   The shofar of Elul is meant to bring clari­ty. alertness, and focus while you are at­tempting to get forgiveness from Hashem.

The Jewish People attempted not to fall back into their previous mistakes while Moshe was away. This is a message for us. During Elul, we must fight not to fall back into our old habits and maintain focus on our main priorities while we are trying to get forgive­ness.

B.’ The shofar of Elul symbolizes not going after idolatry

“Let them sound the shofar throughout the camp… so that they do not go astray after the worship of idols.” We see from the ex­cerpt from Pirke D’Rebbe Eliezer that the purpose of the shofar sound is to turn the people from the worship of idols.

What is idolatry? It is the attribution of power to anything other than G-d. It is run­ning after things that do not have any mean­ing — running after confusion and illusion.

When someone hears the Shofar in Elul, it reminds him of the main purpose of Elul: to get clarity as to the true meaning in life; to draw away from the things that pull him down; and to focus on the main things in life.

C.  The Shofar of Elul symbolizes the ability to do teshuva even on the most grievous sins.

Elul was the time period when Moshe was in Heaven getting the final forgiveness* for one of the most grievous sins a human can do. Therefore, when the shofar is blown it emphasizes the ability to return to Hashem even after one has done harmful things to that relationship. It shows the mercy of the Al-mighty to allow us to return to Him if we take the proper steps, no matter what we have done.

SUMMARY

We see from the previous excerpts how powerful and meaningful is the message of the month of Elul. We also see the function of the shofar in bringing across that message. May we all hear the message of the shofar of Elul and integrate it into our lives.

*It should be noted that the sin of the Golden calf was never totally for­given Rather, Hashem agreed to mete out the punishment for the Gold­en calf over many generations effectively reducing the punishment to a miniscule degree

1.03 WEEK 1-WAKING UP TO THE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR A HIGH HOLIDAY SELF- EVALUATION QUIZ

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1.03 WEEK 1-WAKING UP TO THE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR A HIGH HOLIDAY SELF- EVALUATION QUIZ

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this self-evaluation quiz is to identify areas in your knowledge of the High Holy Days that might need strengthening. This can help you evaluate areas that you might have to work on in your prepara­tions this Elul.

WARNING #1

If you are someone experiencing your first or sec­ond Holiday season, don’t expect to know the answers to most of the questions. This is understandable. It might be a good idea not even to fill out this check­list. and use this as an informal guide to areas of future study.

WARNING #2

Keep in mind that no one will get all number 1’s on this checklist. It takes a few Eluls of good, solid prep­aration in order to cover most of the topics on this list.

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD ONE SPEND PER DAY ON PREPARATIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

Harav Noach Weinberg recommends spending 30-60 minutes per day on preparations for the High Holy Days. This is, of course, on condition that you are being productive. If you are not succeeding in what you are doing, speak to your Rebbe or program advisor about other alternatives. It is also important to stress that this holiday prep­aration has to be from the quality free time of your day and not done at hours when you don’t have energy. And of course, this preparation should not interfere with any of your other Yeshiva learning responsibilities.

HOW TO USE THIS CHECKLIST

The following is a list of the major topics of the hol­iday period followed by a list of questions. Next to each question either put a number 1 if you know the answer, 2 if you know the answer somewhat, or 3 if you don’t know the answer. If you see that in a certain area you have all number 3’s, it is a sign that you have work to do in this area.

1. THE MONTH OF ELUL

A. What happened historically in the Chumash during the month of Elul?
B. What is the goal of Elul?
C. How do I use Elul in the best way?
D. What is the best way to prepare for the holiday period?

Selichos

A. Do I know the meaning of the Slichos prayers?
B. What is the function of the Slichos prayers?
C. What are the Yud-Gimmel Midos D’Rachamim (the 13 Character Traits of Mercy) and how do I use them?
D. What is the history of the Yud-Gimmel Midos in the Chumash?

2. ROSH HASHANAH

A. What is the meaning behind Rosh HaShanah?
B. Why does it last 2 days long?
C. Why does Rosh HaShanah come before Yom Kippur? Shouldn’t it be the opposite?
D. What exactly is the type of teshuva that I am supposed to do on Rosh HaShanah?
E. What happened historically on Rosh HaShanah?
F. Do I know the meaning of why we blow the Shofar?
G. What is the reason behind Tashlich (the ceremony of symbolically emptying our pockets into a body of aawater)?
H. What is the custom of the symbolic foods? (saying the V’yehe Ratzons over certain fruits & aavegetables)?
I. Why are we celebrating on a day of judgment ?

Understanding the Machzor

A. Do I know the meaning of the Shmoneh Esrei of Rosh HaShanah?
B. Do I know the meaning of the Musaf Prayer of Rosh HaShanah?
C. Do I know the meaning behind Malchiyos, Shofaros, and Zichronos?
D. Do I know the basic meaning of the Piyutim (Special Holiday Liturgical Songs) of Rosh HaShanah?
E. Do I know .how long each part of the davening takes so I know how to pace myself during the day?
F. Do I know the structure of the overall davening of the day?

3. TSOM GEDALIA

A. What is Tsom Gedalia all about?
B. What is the connection between it and the 10 days of Teshuva?

4. THE TEN DAYS OF TESHUVAH

A. What is my specific responsibility for the 10 days of teshuva?
B. How does it differ from my responsibility during Elul?

Tesuvah

A. How do I do teshuva?
B. Do I know the different steps for teshuva?
C. Do I know the prerequisites for the steps to teshuva?
D. How do I really make a commitment never to do something again?
E. What do I do if every year I find myself making commitments and then breaking them the day after Yom aaKippur? How do I do teshuva if I get discouraged by this process?
F. How do I make a plan for the upcoming year?
G. How do I avoid self-hate during the teshuva process?

5. YOM KIPPUR

A. What happened on Yom Kippur in the Chumash?
B. What is the meaning behind Yom Kippur?
C. How does the fast contribute to the meaning of the day?
D. What is the connection between Sefer Yonah and Yom Kippur?

Understanding the Machzor

A. What are the Ashamnu and Al Chet confessions and do I have meaningful pshat on each?
B. Do I know the Shmoneh Esrei of Yom Kippur?
C. Do I know the Mussaf Prayer of Yom Kippur?
D. Do I know the basic meaning of teh piyutim (Special Holiday Liturgical Songs) of Yom Kippur?
E. Do I know how long each part of the davening takes so I know how to pace myself during the day?
F. Why do we read about the 10 Martyrs on this day?
G. Advanced : Have I learned the basics of the Temple Service on this day?

6. SUCCOS

A. In general, what is the meaning of the holiday of Succos ?
B. What is the relationship between Succos, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur?
C. Do I know the halachos of lulav and esrog?
D. Do I know the meaning behind the lulav and esrog?
E. Do I know the halachos of building a succah?
F. Do I know the meaning of the succah?
G. What is the meaning behind a Simchas Beis HaShoeva?

Hoshanahs and Hoshanah Rabah

A. Why do we say Hoshanahs?
B. Do I know the meaning of all the different Hoshanahs that we say all week long?
C. What is the day of Hoshanah Rabah all about?
D. Why do some people stay up all night learning?

7. SHEMINI ATSERES

A. What is Shmini Atseres?
B. What is Simchas Torah?
C. What is the connection between Shmini Atseres and Simchas Torah?
D. Why is Shmini Atseres a holiday by itself disconnected from Succos?

SUMMARY

Once you have completed the self-evaluation quiz, you are ready to start. Choose some of the topics that are particularly interesting to you and begin to get some answers. Make sure you take good notes and save them for next year. Maybe set up a chavrusa with someone who has researched some of the is­sues you are working on. Or ask your a local Rabbi what would be best to read in order to get the answers to your questions.

1.02 WAKING UP TO THE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR : THE OPPORTUNITY OF ELUL

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1.02 WAKING UP TO THE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR : THE OPPORTUNITY OF ELUL

IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BEGIN WORK ON THE MONTH OF ELUL ON THE FIRST DAY OF ELUL

The first moments at the beginning of Elul when the shofar is blown are a tremendous opportunity for growth. Those moments are so great that if you don’t seize the opportuni­ty you can damage yourself:

If a person doesn’t begin the work of te­shuva on the first day of Elul, there is a good chance that the rest of the month will pass without great benefit. It is known that when messages pass by a man to wake him up and he doesn’t utilize them, he is damaged by not grabbing the opportunity. It will not be easy in the future to get affected by those things that should awaken him to teshuva.

Therefore, it is essential to realize how precious are the first moments of the blow­ing of the shofar on Rosh Chodesh. And therefore a man has to wake himself up im­mediately in order to seize the opportunity. (Based on Shaar Elul, HaRav Shaul Wagshall, p.9.)

PREPARING FOR JUDGEMENT

How would one act if he had a trial sched­uled before the most powerful individual in the country? This information can be valua­ble in understanding our relationship to the month of Elul:

Any intelligent person who is scheduled for trial before a mortal king of flesh and blood will surely spend sleepless nights and days preparing his case. He will seek the ad­vice of every knowledgeable person he knows that can help him prepare his case. He will go to great lengths to attain a favora­ble verdict, even if all that is at stake is but a small part of his fortune and he faces no per­sonal risk. Should he not do so as well when he is brought to judgement before the Su­preme King of Kings, the Holy Blessed One, when he himself, his children and his fortune all hang in the balance?

Indeed, nothing can be concealed from the Holy Blessed One. He needs no witness­es and no evidence; He knows all. And no ad­vocates can plead before Him other than a person’s own good deeds and teshuva for his transgressions. Before such an awesome trial any intelligent person must certainly tremble with fear. He must prepare very thor­oughly, examining his actions closely and re­penting his sins. As Rosh HaShanah, the Day of Judgement, approaches he must seek any advice he can get that will help him ob­tain a favorable verdict.

Therefore, it is important to begin prepar­ing for Rosh HaShana at least thirty days earlier, from Rash Chodesh of the month of Elul. This is the minimum time required to rouse oneself fully from one’s year long stupor.

(Menoras HaMeor-The Ten Days of Teshuva, Rabbeinu Vitchak Abohav)

IF YOU DON’T SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW WHEN IT IS THERE. YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING EVEN YOUR PRESENT LEVEL

Rabbi Dessler in Miktav M’Eliahu de­scribes the situation of Yaakov Avinu when he felt that he missed a great opportunity:

We can learn from Yaakov Aveinu how im­portant it is to seize an opportunity for growth . When Yaakov realized that he had passed the place where his forefathers had prayed and he didn’t pray there he immedi­ately made the decision to return. Once he made the decision to return a miracle oc­curred and the long journey was shortened for him by G-d.

Let us introspect for a moment exactly what occurred here; Yaakov hadn’t slept for the 14 years that he learned in the Beis Mid-rash. He was 63 years old. He had passed the point where he was supposed to stop and pray many days already and yet he didn’t even want to rest for a few minutes be­fore he made his decision to return.

Since Yaakov seized the opportunity to re­turn to pray at the future site of the Beis Ha­Mikdash, Hashem caused a miracle to occur that lifted Yaakov out of time and space and immediately brought him to where he need­ed to be.

How important it is to seize an opportunity when it crosses our path! On one hand, when an opportunity for growth comes, we have ~rLPpportunity to rise to a level that is im­possible for us to achieve at another time. But on the other hand, we are in great danger of losing even our present level if we ignore great opportunities that come our way. (Based on Miktav M’Eliahu, Chelek Beis, p.71)

Rabbi Dessler is pointing out to us a very powerful point. When a person has an op­portunity for growth and he seizes it, he can rise to very high levels (as we see from the case of Yaakov Avinu). But he also warns that there is no standing still either. If a person doesn’t utilize an opportunity, not only does

he not go up, but, on the contrary, he goes down, G-d forbid.

We now stand at the gateway to the month of Elul. Elul and the High Holy Days are the most mitzvah intensive time period of the whole year. If one seizes the opportunity, great heights are available to an individual. If a person ignores it, G-d forbid, he might go down in his spiritual level.

THE TIME PERIOD OF ELUL IS A TIME OF GREAT DIVINE FAVOR

The period from Rosh Chodesh of the month of Elul onward is a time of Divine favor. Al­though G-d accepts all year the teshuva of those who turn unto Him wholeheartedly, these days are more appropriate and suitec for teshuva, inasmuch as they are days 0 mercy and good-will. For in the month of Elul. Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive the second tablets, waited there 40 days, and descended on the tenth day of the month of Tishrei, when the atonement was completed. From that time on, these days have been set aside as days of good-will, and the tenth day of Tishrei as the Day of Atonement. (Kitzer Shulchan Aruch 128.1)

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