The Elul Handbook
The Elul Handbook
לֹא רַבִּים יֶחְכָּמוּ איוב לב ט
BE SMART!
Take Advantage of Y'mei Elul Before It's Too Late
R' Matisyahu Salomon Zatzal said: Just try to show Hashem that you're trying to improve yourself, and make a good impression on Hashem, despite your ongoing weaknesses that you just can't get rid of.
Now is the time to really “make it" in this world and in the next. It's Elul! What a true Bracha! You get even more Schar in our generation, since your S'viva (environment) isn't excited over Elul, and you are alone in your own “bubble”. If you're smart, you'll be: נוֹטֵל שְׂכַר כּוּלָם (get the reward of all those who aren't involved!) You may-or-may-not see instant Yeshuos. Look at everything you do to improve as planting “seeds” which will grow in the future and be Gevaldig.
Pick What's Good for You
Yehoshua was called an: אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר רוּחַ בּוֹ “Ish who has Ruach”, and Rashi says that Yehoshua understood each individual's particular needs. People aren't wholesale machines. Cater to what makes you happy, and what seems to work for you. Don't be afraid to be an extreme opposite of even most of your friends. You pick what's good for you. Try to discuss it with at least one Rebbe who is a smart person and knows you; someone who understands you and is a Yarei Shamayim.
SOME SUGGESTIONS
1. Learning B'hasmada Rabba, preferably with a chavrusa, like it says: וְתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה כְּנֶגֶד כֻּלָּם פאה א א the reward of learning Torah is equal to all the other Mitzvos together. Learning gives you massive Zechusim, and its sheer volume can tip the scales that you'll be Zoche B'din.
2. More Mussar than usual, even for many hours, preferably with a soft niggun. This will put you in a different world, and you'll become a much higher and happier person, above all your Shtusim and worries and sins, etc.
In Elul, the main thing is to become a doer! - R' Nosson Wachtfogel Zatzal
3. Some recommend to learn the entire Sefer Teshuva, Rambam Hilchos Teshuva, Shaarei Teshuva, Chovos Halvavos, HaTeshuva, and Madregas HaAdam Darchei HaTeshuva. Going through all these 4 Seforim is an unreal experience. (But if you are depressive, ignore all of the above, or do only a little of it).
These Days, The Main Teshuva Is Just Working on Bitachon
R' Gershon Liebman Zatzal said that these days, your entire Teshuva should be just working on Bitachon. Learn as much Inyanei Bitachon as you can tolerate; as often as possible. Write down Hashgacha Pratis stories that happened to you (loads of them!) and make sure to make it Geshmak!
The Alter of Kelm Zatzal says that Zikkui HaRabbim is A-1, since you're a: רַבִּים צְרִיכִים לו (needed by the public) person; you earn your life and all forms of goodness! And just like by a: מֵסִית (someone who influences others negatively), it says: לֹא תַחְמֹל וְלֹא תְכַסֶה עָלָיו have no mercy on him; surely a person who is M'zakeh HaRabbim and influences others in a positive way gets unending Rachamim and Rachamim, 500 times more than the punishment of a: מֵסִית, since מִדָה טוֹבָה מְרוּבָּה. (Alter of Kelm)
By taking advantage of Elul, you can have tremendous Yeshuos and new Mazal in your life, and be lucky forever - R' Nosson Wachtfogel
The Alter of Slabodka Zatzal says that working on seeing only good in people will give you a high volume of Zechusim, since you see thousands of people, and each one becomes a live Zechus when you insist in seeing good in him. And Midda K'neged Midda, in Shamayim they'll be Dan you L'kaf Zechus. Dovid who had two sins didn't suffer like Shaul who only did one sin (Chazal) and the Gevuras Ari explains that Dovid was extreme in constantly being thankful to Hashem. Because of his colossal amount of singing to Hashem during his most painful circumstances, he ended up with an unusual volume of Ma'asim Tovim. R' Avigdor Miller Zatzal also used to say this. When you spend all Elul thanking for the previous year, and recount all the details of goodness, then Midda K'neged Midda, Hashem will give you more good years.
Just Being Sameach B'chelko is a Priceless Zechus
Of course, doing loads of Chesed will give you loads of Zechusim, Midda K'neged Midda. For some people, just being very B'simcha is the biggest Teshuva on the most serious sin, i.e., Atzvus (depression). If you cannot do any of the above, then you get the biggest Mitzva of וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּם מְאֹד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם guarding your health. So go swimming and eat pickles and enjoy going to Chasuna's or reading Geshmake material (like Bitachon Weekly!) and do nothing, etc., and be happy that you can serve Hashem by doing zero. Despite your inability to be more intense in Avodas Hashem, your Sameach B'chelko is itself a priceless Zechus.
R' Yisroel Salanter's Talmidim would learn 18 hours a day during Elul, since during Elul a person has special Kochos - R' Nosson Wachtfogel Zatzal
By going around asking Eitzos how to make the most of Elul, or just wishing you could be better, and having pain over your sins and shortcomings, you get the biggest Tikun, since you show Hashem that you're trying. Klal Gadol: Do whatever works.
You can actually pick any area you want to improve on, like Shmiras Einayim, Lashon Hara, Sin'as Chinam, Atz'lus (laziness), Ka'as, or any Midda you need to go extreme to conquer. The main thing is to be Machshiv whatever you do (even a drop). This is extremely Chashuv and will save you!
The more you are Machshiv Elul and you keep reminding yourself “It's Elul!”, the more Elul will give you back a great year. It's Midda K'neged Midda. You believe in me? I'll take extra-good care of you, and give you a super-beautiful life! You must cherish and respect the particular Avoda (or Avodos) that you have chosen, that they can change your life completely! Even if you need to take it easy and relax and joke; value what you're doing as if it's Kodesh Kodoshim בִּבְחִינַת יִפְתָּח בְּדוֹרוֹ כִּשְׁמוּאֵל בְּדוֹרוֹ. Yes, I'm serving Hashem and giving Him much nachas by being chilled! And you are getting a Gevaldige Mitzva of: וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּם מְאֹד לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם guarding your health.
אֲנִי לְדוֹדִי וְדוֹדִי לִי Elul means more and more positivism and love
Daven as much as possible, like the Zohar says וּבָכְתָה אֶת אָבִיהָ וְאֶת אִמָּהּ יֶרַח יָמִים (she shall cry for an entire month) hints to the month of Elul. (PS. I would say that וּבָכְתָה can also mean: בְּכִיָה שֶׁל שִׂמְחָה tears of joy on great fortune of Elul, like R' Ahron Kotler Zatzal (נוֹרָא מִצַד הַחֶסֶד שֶׁבָּה are יָמִים נוֹרָאִים says that and realize the special greatness of an Elul Tefila which works best. And try to be alone as much as possible with Hashem. In Novardok, they didn't speak for the first half of the day.
Make a Cheshbon HaNefesh and write down (in a column) all the areas that you need to improve, and next to it, write a column of possible solutions. It can be once a day/week. Even without acting on your solutions, it's a Segula for Yeshuos. R' Nosson Wachtfogel Zatzal once said to someone: אַשְׁרֵי מִי שֶׁעֲווֹנוֹתָיו סְפוּרוֹת fortunate is he whose sins are reckoned. This is very relaxing and therapeutic, i.e., when you have it all spelled out before you, and your mind isn't cluttered with unaddressed guilt feelings.
There is a special place in Gan Eden for: מָארֵי דְּחוּשְׁבָּנָא those who make a Cheshbon, and it's a very high Madrega (Seforim). Also, write down your Maalos and accomplishments and striving in Avodas Hashem. You'll do Teshuva for not having enough Simcha Shel Mitzva. Showing Hashem that you are afraid and crying during davening is a powerful Zechus.
