The month of Elul is a time when we are to be looking inwardly, examining our hearts with the intent to weed out those things that are unfruitful and not conducive to life. We are provoked to do this, especially at this time, because we are approaching the time of the fall feasts, beginning with Yom Teruah or, as it is also known, Rosh Hashanah – a day when we acknowledge God as King. In Judaism this day is also known as Yom HaDin or “the Day of Judgment” which explains why the month of Elul is devoted to introspection. It is the time when the prospective bride examines her life and determines to do what is necessary in order that she may give her whole heart to her bridegroom. In this consideration of this, it seems appropriate to look at a passage from the Song of Solomon that speaks to the relationship between bride and groom.
“I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” (Song of Solomon 6:3)
In Hebrew, it says: אני לדודי ודודי לי Ani l’dodi v’dodi li.
Looking at this phrase, as it is written in Hebrew, something very interesting comes to light. The first letter in each of these Hebrew words actually spells the word Elul (אלול alef, lamed, vav and lamed), thus connecting the soul searching that should occur at this time of year with the words spoken by those who are to devoted to each other — “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”
So as we approach Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, we examine our hearts to make sure that nothing stands between us and our bridegroom and King. Of course, we do not have to wait until the month of Elul to do this — we need to crucify our flesh each day. But as we approach these appointed times, let us diligently search our hearts, examine our lives and seek His face. May He expose within us those things that need to be removed from our lives so that we can commit ourselves to Him, wholeheartedly.
Shalom.
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