The month of Elul is here and perhaps it would be appropriate to share some thoughts about this very opportune time.

Firstly, the seforim tell us that it is a time of heavenly good will. Hashem is close to us, his divine countenance is smiling upon us and he beckons us to come close.

He calls out to us: now is the time; now is the time to come close now is the time to be near - open yourself up to me just a little bit and I will open myself to you so much more so. For now the heavens are open and every good deed is precious, every good thought, every desire to become closer is dear and makes a difference.

(And even though this is always true that every good action no matter how minuscule, every good thought even a whisp of a desire, of a wanting, of a willingness to turn, to move in the right direction is never lost and makes a difference- not only in Elull,but every minute of every day of the year - but now in Elul it's altogether something else.

Hashems hand is extended to each and every one of us to receive us in his light ---- every deed takes on a whole new dimension. We are his and he is ours.<Ani Ledodi Vedodi LI-the acronym of Elul in hebrew.>)

So let us each take upon ourselves something new. A resolution to better ourselves in a way that each finds appropriate to his spiritual ascent and well-being. Perhaps a new shiur in torah study or perhaps to daven with more kavana a certain part or parts of the davening.

Or perhaps one would want to absorb within himself the heavenly good will that is prevelant in the atmosphere, by becoming himself a conduit of goodwill. This;--by forgiving some (seeming) injustice, by adding to ones charity budget, through visiting the sick, through feeling and praying for the needs of some one in need, by helping those who need help in whatever way they need, etc, etc.

The list of little or large improvements that one came make is endless. With a little thought every one can find a little (as tiny as it might be) or not so little something by which to grow by, with Hashem's help.

In this atmosphere of good will that's in the air -- there is also something else. Something that one can sense almost touch. It's refreshing, clean, a feeling of expectancy a sense of sobriety is in the air. It's the feeling of meeting up with something new. The feeling of the approaching New Year. We are hesitant perhaps reverent perhaps we can even sense awe. The awe of Hashem revealing himself anew with the beginning of a new year.

This feeling is seen in a much deeper light in the teachings of the holy Maggid of Mezritch.

When Hashem reveals himself from anew all of creation comes into being. A fresh and new beginning. Time and space (and all of existence that are contained within) illuminate from Hashem with a new mission. The year begins to evolve toward it's end and purpose.

With new vitality, and a new sense of expression we too evolve toward our "tachlis" and purpose; -- for us to become so much more closer and one to the light of Hashem.

We begin a new journey on Rosh Hashana. We go forth from Hashem into time to illuminate it to give expression to Hashem's essence and truth within time by living and experiencing life through the light of his truth.

And then we come back to Hashem on the return journey which ends in Elul.

Time (and place and all the world contained within) having been lived and utilized by Hashem's essence and truth becomes one with him. Now at the end of the journey all evolves back and returns to be absorbed back into the one into the essence.( Only to begin again on Rosh Hashana from anew with a whole new mission and purpose: ---- another part of Hashem's great plan.)

This than is the reason for the sense of awe we feel. At Rosh Hashana everything is going higher and deeper up up back into it's source. At the beggining of time on Rosh Hashana everything is just starting everything is at it's apex.

We feel awe at being in so high a place above our level. The roots of all souls are gathered up above and this filters down to us. Everyone according to his level feels and senses something of the great awe that our souls are experiencing above.

This is the great awe that we experience Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. And this is what we already begin to feel somewhat in the month of Elul.

This reverance and awe of the beginning of the pristine new;-- is Hashem's gift to us. It enables us to stand back and breath afresh. It gives us the perspective to look to the future, to something new, to hope --- and the greatest gift of all--- to begin again ..............

... A new beginning at the beginning of all beginnings. The Beginning of Time--- Rosh Hashana.

And to prepare for this we are given one month. One month to help lift our selves a bit higher. ( The above was built around one of the teachings of the Holy Maggid of Mezritch with much licensee taken.)

All the best to every one.