Living Torah Archives

Throughout the month of Elul, the Jewish people has a collective task: to prepare itself to be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year. Indeed, there is a Jewish custom to wear white on Rosh Hashanah eve, to express the certainty that all will be inscribed in the Book of the Righteous. Clearly, then, the preparation for this must also be with unity.

Assembled here together, in a tangible demonstration of unity, is a diverse range of people: businessmen from every walk of life, and scholars who specialize in various realms of Torah study.

Elul is a time for building a deeper, more loving relationship with G-d. The Alter Rebbe teaches that, at this time, G-d is like a great king who leaves his palace and his city, and goes out to the fields to be near the common-folk of his kingdom. All the townspeople joyously gather to welcome him, and he looks upon each one with a smile and a gracious countenance. He lovingly listens to their needs, and the people then escort their beloved king back to his capital city.

The Rebbe participates in a children’s rally with children returning from camp at the summer’s end.

“He is our Lord, He is our Father, He is our King, He is our Salvation”, from the Shabbat morning services. The Rebbe taught this song to the Chasidim on Simchas Torah 5724-1963.