Living Torah Archives

At the commencement of Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, we begin to reflect on the year that passed, and on improving our relationship with G-d. The Alter Rebbe, the founder of Chabad, compared the Almighty during the month of Elul to a king who goes out to the field to make himself accessible to all. But it’s our responsibility to take full advantage of this time - after all, soon the King will return to his chambers.

Yaakov Abrams is a business appraiser and author on business evaluation, living in Los Angeles, California. He was married to his wife Chana in the mid-1980s. (1986)

The Alter Rebbe offers a parable illustrating G-d’s closeness to every Jew during the month of Elul

The Alter Rebbe gives a parable concerning the month of Elul: Throughout this month, G-d, so-to-speak, is like a king who stands in the field outside his royal city, where he greets all his subjects with a loving countenance.

The first Chabad Rebbe offers a parable illustrating G-d’s closeness of every individual during the Hebrew month of Elul.

The Alter Rebbe teaches that during the month of Elul, G-d is like a “King in the field” – He goes out from his lofty palace to find each and every Jew, wherever they may be. He greets them with a smiling countenance and eagerly hears their requests.

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.