Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Hashem never allows His connection with us to weaken. Elul invites us to recognize that love, take the first step toward Him, and live in a way that reflects our treasured status as His children.
Hashem Never Lets Go
Before his passing, Moshe Rabbeinu encouraged Klal Yisrael, saying, “Be strong and courageous… for Hashem your G-d is the One Who goes with you; He will not loosen His hold on you or abandon you.”
Rashi explains that the phrase “He will not loosen His hold on you” means that Hashem will never allow His connection to us to weaken. Rav Yerucham explains this with the following mashal. Imagine a person carefully holding a delicate glass in his hand. Knowing that if he loosens his grip even slightly, the glass could fall and shatter, he holds it firmly and carefully because he does not want it to slip from his hand.
In a similar way, Hashem is holding on to us. He does not want us to become distant from Him or to be abandoned. He is constantly watching over us and wants us to remain connected to Him. As Dovid HaMelech says, “Hashem Shomrecha, Hashem Tzilcha Al Yad Yeminecha”—Hashem is our protector, our shadow beside us.
A Relationship That Goes Both Ways
There is an important point, though, that we must remember. A relationship goes both ways. Just as Hashem holds on to us, we need to hold on to Him. We need to make the effort to bring Hashem into our lives, to think about Him, turn to Him, and strengthen our connection with Him. When we take that step toward Hashem, He responds by drawing closer to us.
This message is particularly meaningful as we approach the Yamim Noraim. Elul is a time to strengthen our relationship with Hashem and remind ourselves of the incredible closeness that is available to us.
Ani LeDodi: Taking the First Step
It is well known that the word Elul is an acronym for the words in Shir HaShirim, “Ani LeDodi VeDodi Li”—“I am for my beloved, and my beloved is for me.” Rav Moshe Feinstein explains that when we do our part and focus on our love for Hashem, He reciprocates. The verse begins with “Ani LeDodi”—I am for my beloved, teaching us that we need to take the first step and show our love for Hashem. Then it continues, “VeDodi Li”—and my beloved is for me. When we reach out to Hashem, He responds by drawing close to us and showering us with His love and blessings, regardless of our spiritual level.
As Chazal teach, “Ahavah Mekalkeles Et HaShurah”—love can change the normal way things are measured. When there is genuine love, the usual calculations are not always applied in the same way. When we focus on our love for Hashem, He responds with love, and He is not as exacting in judging us according to what we may deserve.
The Gift of Being Hashem’s Children
We see, therefore, that Elul is a time of tremendous outpouring of love. We are Hashem’s children, and He loves us more than we can possibly imagine. A fundamental Avodah during Elul is to focus on this and appreciate the priceless gift of being Hashem’s children. He is waiting with open arms for us to draw closer to Him and make the most of these golden days. (Derash Moshe, Vol. 2, p. 94)
Remembering Who We Are
One of the key tactics of the Yetzer Hara is to make us forget about our exalted status. When we remember that we are Hashem’s children and recognize that certain behavior is not fitting for us, we will be far less likely to listen to the temptations of the Yetzer Hara. Elul is therefore a unique opportunity to internalize that we are Hashem’s beloved children. When we appreciate who we are and how much Hashem loves us, we will naturally want to behave in a way that is befitting of our elevated status.
If Only You Knew How Much Hashem Loves You
The Ponevezher Rav, Rav Yosef Kahaneman, was once at the airport in Rome, waiting to board his flight. An Israeli professor who recognized the Rav from newspaper photographs approached him and said, “Shalom Aleichem.” The Rav responded by warmly hugging the professor. Surprised by this reaction, the professor said, “If you knew what kind of sinner I am, you wouldn’t hug and kiss me.”
The Ponevezher Rav then hugged him again. “If only you knew how much Hashem loves you despite your sins,” he responded warmly, “you wouldn’t continue sinning.”
The words made a deep impression on the professor, and he began improving his ways.
By Rabbi Daniel Shasha, author of “Living Appreciation”
