We read in this week’s portion, “And the firstborn son is hers who was hated” (Deut. 21:15) The “firstborn son” is an allusion to King Moshiach and his ultimate sovereignty in the Messianic era, as it states in Psalms, “I have found David My servant...also I will make him my firstborn,” while “hers who was hated” refers to Leah, the mother of Judah, from whom Moshiach is descended: “And when L-rd saw that Leah was hated, He opened her womb.” (Ohr HaTorah)
Sometimes–simply because Elul and the High Holidays occur with yearly dependability - we don’t pay enough attention to a very radical concept in Judaism.
During the month of Elul a Jew is supposed to stop what he’s doing, honestly and objectively assess his spiritual condition, and take whatever steps are necessary to improve it. But how much can an older, set-in-his-ways person really change? Realistically speaking, each of us has his own strengths and weaknesses, things we are willing to do and things that are just not for us. Aside from minor adjustments, aren’t we destined to remain basically the same till 120?
To this, Judaism responds with a resounding “NO!” You too can change and do teshuva, the Torah tells us, regardless of your experience or maturity. Whatever happened before is past history. No door is closed, no bad habits so ingrained that they cannot be overcome. A Jew always has the potential to draw nearer to G-d, and during the month of Elul, is granted special powers from Above to assist him.
This principle, that a Jew is a perpetual “work in progress” and that it’s never too late to improve, is the result of the unique nature of the Jewish soul. The Jewish soul is eternal, unlimited by any boundaries. Nothing can stand in the way of a Jew’s sincere desire to be close to G-d–neither logic, emotion, environment or inclination. The moment he resolves to change course ever slightly (in the right direction) he becomes invincible.
Each day of his life, a Jew has the capacity to revolutionize his existence and imbue it with ever-increasing holiness. It’s just easier during Elul, when our hearts are naturally aroused to doing teshuva and spurred on by G-d’s greater proximity among us.
