Acronyms of Elul

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Yom Kippur Katan:[1]

Many are accustomed on Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul to fast and recite the Seder of Yom Kippur Katan, even if they are not particular to do so the rest of the year.[2] However some meticulous men are not accustomed to do so even on Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, [and so is the Chabad custom[3]].

 

The acronyms of Elul

In general there are five acronyms given for the month of Elul each corresponding to a different Divine service of the month. It covers the service of Torah; Tefila; Tzedaka; Teshuvah and Geula. A further two acronyms have been brought from other sources.

 

אלול

  1. אנה לידו ושמתי לך
  2. אני לדודי ודודי לי
  3. איש לרעהו ומתנות לאביונים
  4. את לבבך ואת לבב
  5. אשירה להשם ויאמרו לאמר
  6. אוי לרשע ואוי לשכינו
  7. ארון לוחות ושברי לוחות

 

1. “Ina Leyado Vesamti Lach”:

This acronym is brought by the Arizal.[4] It represents that Elul is an auspicious time for ones repentance to be accepted for all previous sins done during the year. It also represents that one must repent even for inadvertent sins.[5] It also corresponds to Torah learning, that in the month of Elul one must strengthen in Torah learning.[6]

 

2. “Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li”:[7]

This acronym is brought by the Abudarham. It represents the service of prayer[8] as prayer attaches a Jew to

G-d.[9] It represents the need of a Jew to arouse his own Divine service, his own inner love and fear for G-d.[10]

 

3. “Ish Lereieihu Umatanos Laevyonim”:[11]

This acronym is brought by the Amrakel. It represents the service of Gemilus Chasadim and the giving of Tzedaka.

 

4. “Umal Hashem Elokecha Es Levavcha Vies Levav Zarecha:[12]

This acronym represents the service of Teshuvah.

 

5. “Ashira Lahashem Vayomru Leimor”:[13]

This acronym represents the Geula as the Shira sang by the sea had reference to the resurrection. This acronym is a hint towards the purpose of our Avoda. It also includes an Avoda of serving Hashem with the absolute faith in Moshiach’s arrival, and in a way of tranquility, as will occur in the times of the redemption.

 

 6. “Oiy Lirasha Veoiy Leshcheino”:[14]

This acronym is brought by the Migaleh Amukos. It represents the service of Teshuvah, the breaking of the heart which is expressed with the woe “Oiy”. This service refines the negativity in the month of Av which is a neighbor of Elul.

 

7. “Aron Luchos Veshivrei Luchos”:[15]

This acronym is brought by the Migaleh Amukos. It represents the service of Teshuvah, as the broken Luchos represent the Avoda of Teshuvah. The breaking of the Luchos represent the advantage of a Baal Teshuvah over Tzaddikim.

 

[1] Mateh Efraim 581/3; Kaf Hachaim 581/23

[2] See Shaar Yissachar Elul that the second 40 days which achieved the appeasement of G-d after the sin of the Eigel concluded on the 29th of Menachem Av. It is thus called Yom Kippur Katan as it is similar to the third set of 40 days which concluded on Yom Kippur. It is due to this month that all the other Erev Rosh Chodesh are also called Yom Kippur Katan.

[3] Otzer Minhagei Chabad 4

[4] Peri Eitz Chaim Shaar Rosh Hashanah 1; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128/1

[5] Kitzur SHU”A ibid

[6] Likkutei Sichos 2 p. 307; 24/177; Hisvadyos 1990 4 p. 281 footnote 78

The reason: As the words of Torah protect a person [Koltin] just like a city of refuge. [Makos 10a]

[7] Abudarham Seder Tefilas Rosh Hashanah chapter 1, brought in M”B 581 introduction.

[8] Kitzur SHU”A ibid

[9] See Likkutei Sichos 24/177; Or Hatorah Bireishis 30/8

[10] Likkutei Torah Re’e 32a

[11] Sefer Amrachel brought in Elya Raba 581; Arugas Bosem; Kitzur SHU”A ibid; See Likkutei Sichos 29/272

[12] Abudarham; Baal Haturim Dvarim 30/6; Bach 581; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128/1; Brought in M”B 581 introduction; Likkutei Torah Riei 19

[13] Shulchan Aruch Harizal Elul; Hisvadyos 1986 4 p. 290; Likkutei Sichos 24/313

[14] Megaleh Amukos Eikev 55/1; See Shaar Hamoadim Elul 10 [p. 46]

[15] Megaleh Amukos 55/1; See Shaar Hamoadim Elul 11 [p. 47]

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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