Once, In a Pesach talk, the Previous Rebbe described the spiritual level felt in Lubavitch on the Shabbos which blessed the month of Elul. Even though the day was bright and sunny, the atmosphere had changed, one could smell Elul in the air and sense a tshuva spirit in the wind.
Our Rebbe asks two questions:
1- A Rebbe's words are exact, and not only the words, but even the time of a teaching is appropriate and tailored to the message. Since this talk was given on Pesach, there must be an inner connection between Pesach and Elul. Yet, how can Pesach and Elul share an inner connection?
Pesach embodies an arousal from above ["My Beloved is to me"] when Hashem took us out from the 49 gates of impurity. Elul, on the other hand, embodies an arousal from below where we approach Hashem from a stance of tshuva [“I am to my Beloved"].
2- What can we learn from the Previous Rebbe's description of the spiritual manifestations in Lubavitch on the Shabbos that blessed Elul?
The Rebbe answers that accomplishing G-d's desire in Elul depends on our service. Nevertheless, a revelation of light from above is needed to allow us to accomplish that service. That light is generated from Pesach. It is the revelation of the thirteen attributes of mercy which shine in Elul ["it was a bright, sunny day"].
The Previous Rebbe gave the talk on Pesach to facilitate the flow from above which would occur on the Shabbos which blesses Elul. On that Shabbos, all aspects of Elul are drawn down, including those thirteen attributes of mercy.
Our Rebbe answers his second question regarding the Previous Rebbe's description of the Shabbos before Elul by breaking it into two segments:
- it was still a bright sunny day [typical of summer]
- there was a change in the air. The month of Elul could be sensed in the air and a tshuva wind was blowing.
The bright sunny day represents the arousal from above [which hints to the revelation of G-dliness which is higher than constraints—the ineffable name, Havayeh].
The service of Elul, the arousal from below is encapsulated by the description of a “change in the air." It encompassed both a “scent of Elul” and the stirring of a “tshuva wind.”
Air is internalized through each breath. The air that was breathed contained the smell of Elul and was moved by a tshuva wind. These spiritual benefits are available to everyone who enters the environment of Elul. "The King is in the field” and access to Him is granted to all, and each one is greeted with a happy, smiling countenance. They are not connected to hard work; they are available and can be internalized by every soul in Lubavitch with every breath.
The detail of smell Indicates that through tshuva, we are worthy of the revelations of Moshiach about whom it is said, “He will judge through smell." The wind indicates the essence of tshuva, the return of the spirit [the soul] to Hashem from Whom it had originated.
[Shabbos reay 5727 likuti sichos 19 page 158]