We can connect the concepts discussed above regarding the two different methods of Avodah through prayer and through Torah with the ethos of the month of Elul. Particularly, in view of the observation that in Likkutei Torah, already in Parshas Re’ay, the Alter Rebbe’s Maamorim discuss the Avodah of the month of Elul; How much more so now in Parshas Ki-Seitzei.
The Possuk says: אֲנִּי לְדוֹדִּי וְדוֹדִּי לִּי “I am to my beloved, and my beloved is to me,” (to which the name of the month Elul (אֶלוּל) is an acronym) and the Possuk continues: הָרוֹעֶה בַשּׁוֹשַנִּים “who grazes among the roses”.
There are two explanations that are known for these words הָרוֹעֶה בַשּׁוֹשַנִּים: the first is that a rose traditionally has thirteen petals. This number corresponds to the ‘thirteen attributes of mercy’. This is very relevant because in the month of Elul the ‘thirteen attributes of mercy’ are illuminated and revealed. This concept is associated with the Avodah of prayer. According to the second explanation of these words don’t read: בַשּׁוֹשַנִּים meaning ‘roses’ but read: שֶּׁשוֹנִּים meaning ‘who study’ referring to those who study the Torah.
