Weekly Halacha Yomit: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch

This week, we begin learning the laws of the month of Elul (Chapter 128). The Kitzur begins (128:1) by explaining the nature of this time of year:

From Rosh Chodesh Elul until after Yom Kippur is a time of (Divine) favor. Although, throughout the entire year, the Holy One, blessed be He, accepts the repentance of those who return to Him wholeheartedly, in any case, these days (between the 1st of Elul and Yom Kippur) are more special have been set aside for repentance, because they are days of mercy and favor. Because on Rosh Chodesh Elul, Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive the second set of stone tablets and spent forty days there, descending on the tenth of Tishrei, which was then the finish of the atonement period. From then on, these days were set aside as days of favor, and the tenth of Tishrei as the Day of Atonement.

The scene is set then to connect in a somewhat more deep and spiritual level to what Elul is actually about. We are taught (ibid) about some themes suggested by the letters of the word Elul:

The Ari, his memory should be a blessing, wrote, (Shemot 21:13) Va'asher lo tzida vehaElokim Eena Leyado Vesamti Lecha makom asher yanoos shama – "Surely (a man) does not lie in ambush (to murder), but G-d (who) caused this to happen, then I will provide for you (a place for you to take refuge)" – contains the initials of Elul, because this month is (like a place of refuge,) a propitious time for the acceptance of repentance for sins that were committed throughout the year, as well as a hint that specifically for inadvertent sins, one must repent during this month.

The Sages further said: (Devarim 30:6) U'mal Hashem Elokecha Et Levavcha V'et Levav zarecha – "And G-d will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your offspring" – the first letters (of the words spell) Elul, as do Shir HaShirim 6:3, Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li – "I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine" – and (Esther 9:22): Ish Lere'eihu U'matanot La'evyonim – "a person (sending gifts) to his friend and (giving) presents to the poor."
This hints at the three things, i.e., repentance, prayer and charity; that one has to be diligent about during this month: "And G-d will circumcise..." speaks of repentance; "I am my beloved's…" alludes to prayer, which is “Rinat Dodim” (the joy of lovers), and "A person (sending gifts)…" alludes to charity.

Through the use of rashei teivot or the first letter of the phrases, we learn about the function of the time of Elul. It is compared to a city of refuge where one can start afresh and have repentance of sins accepted. Also hinted to are the three facets of teshuva, repentance, referred to in our prayers and philosophy – that of repentance, prayer and charity. The question can be asked – why do we need to begin all this in Elul – why can't we just concentrate all our efforts in the 10 Days of Repentance, or even more so on Yom Kippur, when we are forgiven by Hashem for our sins?! Why does all this require so much preparation?

One way of looking at it is as follows: we have a court date scheduled for 10 Tishrei when Hashem will be presented with the facts which will affect how our lives – both in terms of the details (financial, familial, etc) and life itself – will be determined for the next year. We would like to prepare fully for such an important court appearance with such an important Judge. Another way of putting it is expressed by the Zohar. A king usually lives in his palace in the capital city, where it is nigh on impossible to approach him. Sometimes, however, the king goes out to the fields to be "with his people", thereby being very approachable to the common man. During Elul, writes the Zohar, the King of Kings goes out to be more approachable to His subjects. Rabbi Bieler expresses this in a slightly different way:

[1]t would seem that the actual battle, the Yom HaDin when the Books of Life and Death will be inscribed, is still some weeks off. Why are we symbolically already assuming battle stations from the onset of Ellul? As is the case in any conflict, the outcome is often determined by which side has most appropriately prepared and girded itself for the upcoming hostilities. When one of the combatants smugly assumes that victory is assured, such an attitude often leaves his army and those he is determined to defend, vulnerable to attack and ultimate defeat. If we are to believe that our lives are going to soon be on the line, that accusations will be hurled against us for what we have and have not done, what we are and could/should have been, it is time to array our defenses, to take spiritual stock of the past year as well as our current status, so that we can not only resist our detractors, but resolve to even go on the offensive and achieve new heights in our spiritual, ethical, familial, and communal existences.
[Thinking about Ellul , Rabbi Jack Bieler]

May we be inspired to use this Elul for our proper preparations for the forthcoming important days of Rosh Hashanah, the Aseret Yemei Teshuva, and Yom Kippur.

If you have any comments or feedback, please email daniel@worldmizrachi.org .

• Kitzur Shulchan Aruch with English linear translation: http://www.geocities.com/yona_n.geo/index.html
• Hebrew Kitzur Shulchan Aruch with nekudot: http://www.kitzur.net
• Hebrew Kitzur Shulchan Aruch without nekudot: http://www.shofar.net/Content/Kitzur_Shulchan.htm?id=5417
• Kitzur Shulchan Aruch project, calendars and order books: http://www.kitzuryomi.org/
• Kitzur Shulchan Aruch with Misgeret HaShulchan: http://www.hebrewbooks.org/9214
• Kitzur Shulchan Aruch with She'arim Ha'Metzuyanim B'Halachah:
  • Part 1 - http://www.hebrewbooks.org/14621
  • Part 2 - http://www.hebrewbooks.org/14622
  • Part 3 - http://www.hebrewbooks.org/14619
  • Part 4 - http://www.hebrewbooks.org/14620
• Selected chapters grouped by theme: http://www.torah.org/learning/halacha/
• New Artscroll Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. Sample available at: http://www.artscroll.com/Books/ksa1.html