Elul – the Month of Mercy
Psalm 119
The month of Elul is a time of repentance in preparation for the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Tradition teaches that the month of Elul is a particularly propitious time for repentance. This mood of repentance builds through the month of Elul to the period of Selichot, to Rosh Hashanah, and finally to Yom Kippur. And therefore, this month is known as the Month of Mercy and each day is numbered e.g 1 Elul – day 1 of repentance; 2 Elul – day 2 of repentance and so forth.
As the month of Elul draws to a close, the mood of repentance becomes more urgent. Prayers for forgiveness called selichot are added to the daily cycle of religious services. Selichot are recited in the early morning, before normal daily shacharit (morning) service.
Selichot are recited from the Sunday before Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippur. A fundamental part of the selichot service is the repeated recitation of the "Thirteen Attributes," a list of G-d's thirteen attributes of mercy that were revealed to Moses after the sin of the golden calf (Ex 34:6-7):
Exod 34:5-8
5 Now the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and
proclaimed the name of the LORD.
6 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD
God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and
truth,
7 "keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,
by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the
children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."
8 So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and
worshiped.
1. Adonai — compassion before a person sins;
2. Adonai — compassion after a person has sinned;
3. El — mighty in compassion to give all creatures according to
their need;
4. Rachum — merciful, that humankind may not be distressed;
5. Chanun — gracious if humankind is already in distress;
6. Erech appayim — slow to anger;
7. Rav chesed — plenteous in mercy;
8. Emet — truth;
9. Notzer chesed laalafim — keeping mercy unto thousands;
10. Noseh avon — forgiving iniquity;
11. Noseh peshah — forgiving transgression;
12. Noseh chatah — forgiving sin;
13. Venakeh — and pardoning.
Why is "HaShem" listed twice as an attribute? And why are three of these "attributes" Names of G-d?
Different names of G-d connote different characteristics of G-d. The four-letter Name of G-d (rendered here as "HaShem") is the Name used when G-d is exhibiting characteristics of mercy, and the Talmud explains that this dual usage indicates that G-d is merciful before a person sins, but is also merciful after a person sins.
This is precisely Sha’ul’s argument is Romans, chapter 5:
Rom 5:20 - 21
20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where
sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through
righteousness to eternal life through Yeshua our messiah
Rom 6:1 - 2
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may
abound?
2 Certainly not!
The third attribute is a different Name of G-d that is used when G-d acts in His capacity as the almighty ruler of nature and the universe.
The name of the month (spelled Alef-Lamed-Vav-Lamed) is said to be an acronym of "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li," "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine," a quote from Song of Songs 6:3, where the Beloved is G-d and the "I" is the Jewish people. In Aramaic (the vernacular of the Jewish people at the time that the month names were adopted), the word "Elul" means "search," which is appropriate, because this is a time of year when we search our hearts.
According to tradition, the month of Elul is the time that Moses spent on Mount Sinai preparing the second set of tablets after the incident of the golden calf (Ex. 32; 34:27-28). He ascended on Rosh Chodesh Elul and descended on the 10th of Tishri, at the end of Yom Kippur, when repentance was complete. Other sources say that Elul is the beginning of a period of 40 days that Moses prayed for G-d to forgive the people after the Golden Calf incident, after which the commandment to prepare the second set of tablets was given.
Forty days of repentance commencing on Elul 1 (Sunday 19 August 2012) and culminating on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur; Wednesday 26 September 2012):
Psalm 119
Day 1 of repentance:
1 How happy are those whose way of life is blameless, who live by the Torah of ADONAI!
2 How happy are those who observe his instruction, who seek him wholeheartedly!
3 They do nothing wrong but live by his ways.
4 You laid down your precepts for us to observe with care.
5 May my ways be steady in observing your laws.
6 Then I will not be put to shame, since I will have fixed my sight on all your mitzvot.
7 I thank you with a sincere heart as I learn your righteous rulings.
8 I will observe your laws; don't completely abandon me!
Day 2 of repentance:
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart; don't let me stray from your mitzvot.
11 I treasure your word in my heart, so that I won't sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, ADONAI! Teach me your laws.
Day 3 of repentance:
13 I proclaim with my mouth all the rulings you have spoken.
14 I rejoice in the way of your instruction more than in any kind of wealth.
15 I will meditate on your precepts and keep my eyes on your ways.
16 I will find my delight in your regulations. I will not forget your word.
Day 4 of repentance:
17 Deal generously with your servant; then I will live and observe your word.
18 Open my eyes, so that I will see wonders from your Torah.
19 Though I'm just a wanderer on the earth, don't hide your mitzvot from me.
20 I am continually consumed with longing for your rulings.
Day 5 of repentance:
21 You rebuke the proud, the cursed, who stray from your mitzvot.
22 Remove scorn and contempt from me, because I observe your instruction.
23 Even when princes sit and plot against me, your servant meditates on your laws.
24 Also your instructions are my delight; they are my counselors.
Day 6 of repentance:
25 I lie prostrate in the dust; revive me, in keeping with your word.
26 I told you of my ways, and you answered me; teach me your laws.
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wonders.
Day 7 of repentance:
28 I am melting away from anxiety and grief; renew my strength, in keeping with your word.
29 Keep deceitful ways far from me, and favor me with your Torah.
30 I choose the way of trust; I set your rulings [before me].
31 I cling to your instruction; ADONAI, don't let me be put to shame!
Day 8 of repentance:
32 I will run the way of your mitzvot, for you have broadened my understanding.
33 Teach me, ADONAI, the way of your laws; keeping them will be its own reward for me.
34 Give me understanding; then I will keep your Torah; I will observe it with all my heart.
Day 9 of repentance:
35 Guide me on the path of your mitzvot, for I take pleasure in it.
36 Bend my heart toward your instructions and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; with your ways, give me life.
38 Fulfill your promise, which you made to your servant, which you made to those who fear you.
39 Avert the disgrace which I dread, for your rulings are good.
40 See how I long for your precepts; in your righteousness, give me life!
41 May your grace come to me, ADONAI, your salvation, as you promised;
Day 10 of repentance:
42 then I will have an answer for those who taunt me; for I trust in your
word.
43 Don't take away completely my power to speak the truth; for I put my
hope in your rulings;
44 and I will keep your Torah always, forever and ever.
Day 11 of repentance:
45 I will go wherever I like, for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will speak of your instructions even to kings without being ashamed.
47 I will delight myself in your mitzvot, which I have loved.
48 I will lift my hands to your mitzvot, which I love; and I will meditate on your laws.
Day 12 of repentance:
49 Remember your promise to your servant, through which you have given me hope.
50 In my distress my comfort is this: that your promise gives me life.
51 Though the arrogant scorn me completely, I have not turned away from your Torah.
Day 13 of repentance:
52 ADONAI, I keep in mind your age-old rulings; in them I take comfort.
53 Fury seizes me when I think of the wicked, because they abandon your Torah.
54 Your laws have become my songs wherever I make my home.
55 I remember your name, ADONAI, at night; and I observe your Torah.
56 This [comfort] has come to me, because I observe your precepts.
Day 14 of repentance:
57 ADONAI, I say that my task is to observe your words.
58 I beg your favor with my whole heart; show pity to me, in keeping with your promise.
59 I thought about my ways and turned my feet toward your instruction.
60 I hurry, I don't delay, to observe your mitzvot.
61 Even when the cords of the wicked close around me, I don't forget your Torah.
Day 15 of repentance:
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks because of your righteous rulings.
63 I am a friend of all who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
64 The earth, ADONAI, is full of your grace; teach me your laws.
Day 16 of repentance:
65 You have treated your servant well, ADONAI, in keeping with your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, because I trust in your mitzvot.
67 Before I was humbled, I used to go astray; but now I observe your word.
68 You are good, and you do good; teach me your laws.
Day 17 of repentance:
69 The arrogant are slandering me, but I will wholeheartedly keep your precepts.
70 Their hearts are as thick as fat, but I take delight in your Torah.
71 It is for my good that I have been humbled; it was so that I would learn your laws.
Day 18 of repentance:
72 The Torah you have spoken means more to me than a fortune in gold and silver.
73 Your hands made and formed me; give me understanding, so I can learn your mitzvot.
74 Those who fear you rejoice at the sight of me, because I put my hope in your word.
75 I know, ADONAI, that your rulings are righteous, that even when you humble me you are faithful.
Day 19 of repentance:
76 Let your grace comfort me, in keeping with your promise to your servant.
77 Show me pity, and I will live, for your Torah is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed, because they wrong me with lies; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me, along with those who know your instruction.
80 Let my heart be pure in your laws, so that I won't be put to shame.
Day 20 of repentance:
81 I am dying to know your salvation; my hope is in your word.
82 My eyes fail from watching for your promise; I ask, "When will you comfort me?"
83 For I have shriveled like a wineskin in a smoky room; still, I don't forget your laws.
Day 21 of repentance:
84 How long can your servant stay alive? When will you bring judgment on my persecutors?
85 The arrogant have dug pits for me to fall in; this is not in keeping with your Torah!
86 All your mitzvot [show your] faithfulness; they are hounding me with lies; help me!
87 They have nearly ended my life on earth, but I have not abandoned your precepts.
88 In keeping with your grace, revive me; and I will observe your spoken instructions.
Day 21 of repentance:
89 Your word continues forever, ADONAI, firmly fixed in heaven;
90 your faithfulness through all generations; you established the earth, and it stands.
91 Yes, it stands today, in keeping with your rulings; for all things are your servants.
92 If your Torah had not been my delight, I would have perished in my distress.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for with them you have made me alive.
Day 22 of repentance:
94 I am yours; save me because I seek your precepts.
95 The wicked hope to destroy me, but I focus on your instruction.
96 I see the limits of all perfection, but your mitzvah has no bounds.
97 How I love your Torah! I meditate on it all day.
Day 23 of repentance:
98 I am wiser than my foes, because your mitzvot are mine forever.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, because I meditate
on your instruction.
100 I understand more than my elders, because I keep your precepts.
101 I keep my feet from every evil way, in order to observe your word.
102 I don't turn away from your rulings, because you have instructed me
Day 24 of repentance:
103 How sweet to my tongue is your promise, truly sweeter than honey
in my mouth!
104 From your precepts I gain understanding; this is why I hate every
false way.
Day 25 of repentance:
105 Your word is a lamp for my foot and light on my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, that I will observe your
righteous rulings.
Day 26 of repentance:
107 I am very much distressed; ADONAI, give me life, in keeping with
your word.
108 Please accept my mouth's voluntary offerings, ADONAI; and teach me
your rulings.
109 I am continually taking my life in my hands, yet I haven't forgotten
your Torah.
110 The wicked have set a trap for me, yet I haven't strayed from your
precepts.
111 I take your instruction as a permanent heritage, because it is the joy
of my heart.
Day 27 of repentance:
112 I have resolved to obey your laws forever, at every step.
113 I hate doubleminded people, but I love your Torah.
114 You are my hiding-place and shield; I put my hope in your word.
115 Leave me alone, you evildoers, so that I can keep my God's mitzvot.
Day 28 of repentance:
116 Uphold me, as you promised; and I will live; don't disappoint me in my
hope.
117 Support me; and I will be saved, always putting my attention on your
laws.
118 You reject all who stray from your laws, for what they deceive
themselves with is false.
119 You discard the wicked of the earth like slag; this is why I love your
instruction.
Day 29 of repentance:
120 My body trembles for fear of you; your rulings make me afraid.
121 I have done what is just and right; don't abandon me to my
oppressors.
122 Guarantee your servant's well-being; don't let the arrogant oppress
me.
123 My eyes fail from watching for your salvation and for [the fulfillment
of] your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant in accordance with your grace, and teach me
your laws.
Day 30 of repentance:
125 I am your servant; give me understanding, so that I can know your
instruction.
126 The time has come for ADONAI to act, because they are breaking your
Torah.
127 Therefore I love your mitzvot more than gold, more than fine gold. 128
Thus I direct my steps by [your] precepts; every false way I hate.
Day 31 of repentance:
129 Your instruction is a wonder; this is why I follow it.
130 Your words are a doorway that lets in light, giving understanding to
the thoughtless.
131 My mouth is wide open, as I pant with longing for your mitzvot.
132 Turn to me, and show me your favor; in keeping with [your] judgment
for those who love your name.
133 Guide my footsteps by your word; don't let any kind of sin rule me.
Day 32 of repentance:
134 Redeem me from human oppression, and I will observe your
precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant, and teach me your laws.
136 Rivers of tears flow down from my eyes, because they don't observe
your Torah.
Day 33 of repentance:
137 You are righteous, ADONAI; and your rulings are upright.
138 You have commanded your instructions in righteousness and great
faithfulness.
139 My zeal is destroying me, because my foes have forgotten your
words.
140 Your word is refined to complete purity, and your servant loves it.
141 I may be small and despised, but I do not forget your precepts.
Day 34 of repentance:
142 Your righteousness is eternal righteousness, and your Torah is truth. 143 Trouble and distress have overtaken me, but your mitzvot are my
delight.
144 Your instruction is righteous forever; give me understanding, and I
will live.
Day 35 of repentance:
145 Wholeheartedly I am calling on you; answer me, ADONAI; I will keep
your laws.
146 I am calling on you; save me; and I will observe your instruction.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I put my hope in your word.
Day 36 of repentance:
148 My eyes are open before the night watches, so that I can meditate on
your promise.
149 In your grace, hear my voice; ADONAI, in keeping with your justice,
revive me.
150 The pursuers of carnality are getting close; they are distancing
themselves from your Torah.
151 You are close by, ADONAI; and all your mitzvot are truth.
152 Long ago I learned from your instruction that you established it
forever.
Day 37 of repentance:
153 Look at my distress, and rescue me, for I do not forget your Torah.
154 Plead my cause, and redeem me; in keeping with your promise, revive
me.
155 Salvation is far away from the wicked, because they don't seek your
laws.
Day 38 of repentance:
156 Great is your compassion, ADONAI; in keeping with your rulings,
revive me.
157 Although my persecutors and foes are many, I have not turned away
from your instruction.
158 I look at traitors with disgust, because they don't keep your word.
159 See how I love your precepts, ADONAI; in keeping with your grace,
revive me.
Day 39 of repentance:
160 The main thing about your word is that it's true; and all your just
rulings last forever.
161 Princes persecute me for no reason, but my heart stands in awe of your
words.
162 I take joy in your promise, like someone who finds much booty.
163 I hate falsehood, I detest it; but I love your Torah.
164 I praise you seven times a day because of your righteous rulings.
165 Those who love your Torah have great peace; nothing makes them
stumble.
166 I hope for your deliverance, ADONAI; I obey your mitzvot.
Day 40 of repentance:
167 My soul observes your instruction, and I love it so much! 168 I observe
your precepts and instruction, for all my ways lie open before you.
169 Let my cry come before you, ADONAI; in keeping with your word, give
me understanding.
170 Let my prayer come before you; in keeping with your promise, rescue
me.
171 Let my lips speak praise, because you teach me your laws.
172 Let my tongue sing of your promise, because all your mitzvot are
righteous.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, because I choose your precepts.
174 I long for your deliverance, ADONAI; and your Torah is my delight.
175 Let me live, and I will praise you; let your rulings help me.
176 I strayed like a lost sheep; seek out your servant; for I do not forget
your mitzvot.
I am reminded of a Southern Baptist preacher who once remarked that every believer should sew reinforcements onto the knees of our trousers for our walk with G-d is a walk in repentance!
May HaShem bless you as you walk this road with determination, conviction and in humility!
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