Roses Elul & New Opportunities שופטים אלול תשפ״ב
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Hi
Wishing you Gut Shabbos. Shabbat Shalom!
מוקדש ליום הולדתו של אברהם בן רחל
שנת הצלחה לאריכות ימים ושנים טובות בטוב הנראה והנגלה
שנת הצלחה לאריכות ימים ושנים טובות בטוב הנראה והנגלה
Candle Lighting Friday September 2 - Elul 6 Metro New York 7:08pm
Roses Elul & New Opportunities
Flowers are of the most beautiful creations in the world. The stunning colors, shapes and aromas, lift our spirits and help create magical and memorable moments. Our sages teach us that the rose has 13 leaves. Because a rose reflects the 13 Divine attributes of mercy י״ג מדות הרחמים.
In Hebrew, the month before Rosh Hashanah is called Elul. The four Hebrew letters of Elul are an acronym for the words written by King Solomon. “I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me”. אני לדודי ודודי לי. During the month of Elul we are graciously gifted with the “Roses of Heaven” which are the 13 attributes of mercy. We show our Father in Heaven our love for Him and He shows us His love for us, His beloved children.
In Lekutei Torah the Alter Rebbe explains: A King was traveling to His palace in the Capital city. On his way He traveled through the country-side. Traveling the fields, where people work in their farm clothing. Here in the field, even the simple people, including the farmers, were able to approach the King and the King graciously welcomed each person with a shining face and granted their wishes with unlimited Mercy. But after the King enters His palace, only high level ministers are permitted to enter His Royal Chambers.
Elul is the annual time of Divine mercy. You can easily approach the King of the universe and He will grant you all your wishes.
The Rebbe encourages us to take advantage of this special window of time. Since G-d makes Himself aveileble then we can and we must take advantage of the special opportunity of the month of Elul. The month of Mercy. G-d loves you unconditionally and He eagerly wants to give you a happy new sweet year. You are the pupil of His eye.
This gives us motivation and inspiration:
Once a year we take a full month to focus on taking stock of our lifestyle, reviewing all our behaviors, habits and conduct. We seek to improve and maximize our potential. During these 30 days, the gates of heaven are open for every person, regardless if they are deserving or not. Maximize your opportunity and ask for mercy for yourself, your loved ones, the Jewish people and the world at large.
Mercy overrides all negativities. Even one who does not deserve kindness can not be denied mercy. Because “Mercy” רחמנות by definition means that despite the fact that the person does not deserve it, nevertheless, because of mercy they are granted their wish. If they earned it then it does not require mercy. Mercy is to receive something good even if one doesn’t deserve it. The person’s wishes are granted because of mercy.
The King is in the field! Take full advantage of this amazing opportunity!
3 messages based on the teachings of the Rebbe:
1) The heart and the brain are two different organs, each one having a particular assigned purpose and mission. To intellectually believe that every Jew is special is insufficient. When we develop the emotions of our heart and we love every one of our Jewish brothers and sisters unconditionally with our heart, then we are blessed with unconditional amounts of blessings in everything that we need.
2) The Zohar teaches us that we create our own reality. When we project happiness towards heaven then heaven blesses us with abundance of happiness. Therefore, if a person is going through a challenging time and it is difficult to be happy, then now more then ever they should strengthen their trust in G-d and maintain a happy upbeat mood. The happiness will bring about blessing and success in all their endeavors.
3) Life is a priceless gift and needs to be maximized and used to it’s fullest potential. The new year gives us a chance to start living a new life. A new beginning. To leave behind our luggage and suitcases filled with pain, suffering and past mistakes. Never continue carrying your old “luggage”. The weight of past mistakes can bring a person down. Perhaps even into sadness and depression. A new year means a new beginning, a new perspective and a new reality. Since you start a new year and a new life, you are young and new!
If you continue carrying the negative past with you, then in a sense you are still living in the past year and not in the new year. Do yourself a favor and throw away and delete the storage of past negativity and sadness. Celebrate your new opportunities for a new and a happy sweet new year. Your father is the King of the World, you deserve true lasting happiness.
Ksiva Vachasimo Tova,
Shana Tova Umesuka!
Lchayim
Velvl
Rabbi Velvl Butman
Executive Director
Chabad Lubavitch of Westchester County
Sharing the joy and meaning of Judaism unconditionally!
Email: ChabadofWestchester@gmail.com
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