QUESTION
How could one utilize Elul?
ANSWER
Elul is a great opportunity to prepare for the Yom Hadin. And how to prepare? First and foremost to learn sifrei mussar. There’s no question that that is the method.
Of course, if a person will stop putting on tefillin let’s say or stop saying kriyas shema because he wants to learn sifrei mussar, we understand that he’s frustrating what’s written in the seforim; but it means that as he continues doing all the things that he does – learning too – and he even does it better and he learns even more, he also adds the element of learning mussar seforim that’s how to utilize Elul.
It means learning Mesillas Yesharim – Mesillas Yesharim is tried and proven as one of the great influences in people's lives. It means learning also Shaarei Teshuva, especially the second and third shearim. Also learning Rambam Hilchos Teshuva.
Of course if you’re fortunate enough to be in a yeshiva where they have shmuezen in mussar it’s very important to pay attention and take them to heart but sefarim of mussar are the most important ingredient that you could add to the month of Elul.
Of course you won't do it. I'm just telling it to you just as a curiosity. Lema’aseh I know people won't listen to me but I'm saying it anyhow to answer your question: Elul is the month for meditation and for stirring up one’s mind with inyanei mussar.
Tape # 377 (August 1981)
