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Elul 2 Each year before Rosh HaShanah we read the Tochachah found in Sedrah Ki Sovo and before Shavuos we read the Tochachah found in Sedrah BeChukosai. However, there are always one or two Sedros in between to create a gap between the Tochachah and the Yom Tov. We might understand this by considering the Tochachah not as punishment or retribution but rather as a purification and cleansing of the Jewish people. Before we use a physical vessel we must rinse and clean it. So too spiritually, before we can appreciate and participate in the joys of the Yom Tov we must purify and cleanse ourselves. The Rov of Sighet, the author of the Kedushas Yom Tov, would be visited by countless Chasidim during the Selichos period. Everyone wanted his personal Brochah. He would spend time with each one and this took him away from his personal learning and devotions. He would say, "I struggle to achieve the level of a simple Jew. The average Jew when Ellul arrives, spends less time at work and more time in learning Torah and preparing for the awesome days coming. But I must spend more time on my job and less time learning Torah and doing good deeds. R' Yisroel Salanter would gather his community together during Ellul and speak of the importance of repentance and preparation for the coming days. A member of the community once approached him and said, "Rebbe, you are wasting your time. What goes in one ear goes out the other." Answered R' Yisroel, "At least it goes in. I was always concerned that it never entered the ears of those listening. If it went in something will surely stick!!" R' Aharon of Karlin would say: I wish I could love the righteous of the Jewish people as Hashem loves its sinners. |
