From the 18th of Elul onward, we should increase all aspects of our Divine service of Elul – to the extent that it is as if a brand new nature of service has begun.
Essence of Elul – Uniting with G-d
We can achieve this through introducing the “life-force” of Elul into every area of Divine service, in a manner that makes discernable and emphasizes the essential soul of all service. In other words, we reveal and highlight the core connection that unites the Jewish people with G-d in every aspect of our service.
The Rebbe defines two aspects of our Divine service: 1) The essence which is equally present in each area of Divine service; this is the vivifying force behind all service and uniformly includes all the myriads of detail that emerge on the practical level. 2) The details and compartmentalized realms of practical service, e.g., the mode of prayer, study or charity etc. While the details must necessarily differ from each other, yet they share the same essence and soul that, by definition, must constantly fill their every particular.
What is this “essence”? The Rebbe defines it as the connection between the Jewish people and G-d that is generated by any mode of Divine service:
Our existence is our connection with G-d
“The entire month of Elul represents the Jewish people’s “general” Divine service [since each moment within Elul has an effect and can rectify the entire service of the previous year, as well as prepare for the entire coming year]. On Chai Elul, however, there is added an emphasis on the very life-force, the inner-self and essence of this general service, namely, the bond between the Jewish people and G-d. In fact, this bond is also the life-force and essential existence of the Jewish people, (i.e. the Jew who performs the Divine service,) for “the Jews are one with the Holy One.”
Post-Chai Elul Service Simply Cannot Be the Same
With the above in mind, our truthful stock-taking during these final twelve days of Elul that stretch from Chai Elul until Rosh Hashanah (and which correspond to the twelve months of the past year), is transformed into a completely new service!
Cheshbon Nefesh – Before and After Chai Elul
For the self-accounting that we perform during the first part of Elul, prior to Chai Elul, focuses mainly on the generalized entirety of our Divine service; an inclusiveness that by default includes the many details of the service we performed during the entire past year. [In other words] we contemplate the state of our total service of Torah, prayer, charitable deeds, and our conduct as expressed in thought, speech and action. Conversely, the self-accounting that we make on Chai Elul and the final days of Elul primarily addresses our essential bond with G-d and the amount and manner of its revelation within our actual service. In this self-accounting, the detailed aspects of the service – whether Torah study, charitable deeds or the like – are not felt to such a great extent. Rather, our main focus is on the essential connection of the Jew to G-d which is the Chayus, “life-force,” of all service.”
Spread the Good News: Each Moment of Elul is Priceless
“Elul is the month of reckoning concerning the outgoing year and the month of preparation for the coming year. Within Elul itself, we are currently within the last twelve days, which, one day per month, correspond to the twelve months of the past year. This does not merely relate to each individual day alone – it is true of each moment within each of these twelve days! With this knowledge we can appreciate the value and significance of each moment of these days – to the extent that it is of great importance to inform every Jew that we meet [of the necessity to cherish and utilize each moment of Elul]. It was for that reason, that we devoted the central theme of this farbrengen to the value of time within Elul.”
