Maghen Abraham - Thoughts From Mayer Sasson

Initials of Elul- אלול - the month of repentance

"I alone am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine…" "אני לדודי ודודי לי..."(Shir Hashirim 6,3)

We know well what the Sages said that the month of Elul is alluded to in the verse of "אני לדודי ודודי לי..." – these have the initials of - אלול - the month of repentance, when G-d and the Nation of Israel bond. "I"- Israel" repent to "my Beloved" and "my Beloved" blesses me with kindness and mercy.

The Bnei Yissachar wrote, "Our Sages have said, "אני לדודי ודודי לי..." - the initials of Elul- אלול – for then G-d opens His Hand to accept our repentance and Jewish souls yearn to be close to Him.

The last letters of these words are four yud's which add up to 40, alluding to the 40 days when Moshe was on Mount Sinai to receive the last Tablets from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kipppur and these days, until today, are days of willingness by G-d."

The Kisa Rachamim writes that every Jew must repent for his bad deeds by fasting, giving charity, praying, crying or bringing peace between people and all of these are alluded to in the Scriptures.

Shabbat Shalom!!