The Lechevitcher Rebbe ZY"A, was once traveling during the month of Ellul with his Chasidim. They stopped in a Kretchmer (inn) whose eating facilities were also occupied by Gentile peasants who were drinking beer. As they were socializing, one peasant called out to his fellow farmers, "My friends see to it to work well during this month (of harvest), for he who works will have what to eat a whole year". The Rebbe turned to his Chasidim and told them "Do you hear what the peasant has said? He who does the proper Avodah (observance) to Hashem, will reap the benefits a whole year".
In the Sefer Bnei Yissoschor, it is written that every month has its specific "Tzirufei Sheimos", of which to have in mind every Rosh Chodesh by Mussoff. The Kavonoh to have on Rosh Chodesh Ellul, is from the end letters of the Possuk 'וגו הָוְצִמַּה לָכּ תֶא תוֹשֲׂעַל רֹמְשִׁנ "יִכּ וּנָלּ הֶיְהִתּ הָקָדְצוּ""Utzedokoh Tiye Lonu Ki" nishmor lasoss ess kol HaMitzvoh hazos lifnei Hashem – And it will be a merit for us if we are careful to perform this entire commandment before Hashem” (Devorim 6:25). The month of Ellul is the beginning of the "Yimei HoRachamim VihaSlichos – Days of mercy and forgiveness" which climax with the days of rejoicing on Sukkos, Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah.
Therefore, we must utilize these days to their fullest. The Sanzer Rov ZY"A, said that a Chasunoh in the month of Ellul is a good Hachonoh - preparation to Rosh Hashonoh. Since a Chosson is compared to a king. On Rosh Hashonoh we crown Hashem as King of the world, that is Malchius. Alter Russisher Chasidim would call the night of Rosh Hashonoh "Karnatzyoh Nacht" a night of Coronation of The King – Hashem Yisborach.
The Sefer Seder Hayom says, during these great days one should minimize his mundane businesses and maximize in Torah, Tefilloh and Shmiras HaMitzvos. By utilizing our time to Avodas Hashem, each person to their ability, may we be Zoche to have a sweet new year of 5786.
The Sefer Siach Sarfei Kodesh quotes the Chidushei Harim ZY"A, that in previous days they would rebuke themselves with Sigufim - various afflicts, in the days of Ellul. The Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk ZY”A would say that he was "Bokeiyah Rokiyim – He split the Heavens", that it is not necessary for Sigufim. Added the Chiddushei Harim, it is not appropriate for us to say that one enters the Avodah (service) to Hashem in a mundane manner, Choliloh. Rather the Tzaddikim accomplished with their Kedushoh (holiness) and Ma'asim Tovim (good deeds) of theirs, that one can attain an openness of a Shefa (radiance) of Kedushoh, to come to Hispashtus Hagashmius (disengage of mundane) without Sigufim. And this is better than with Sigufim.
This week and Shabbos are the beginning of Chodesh Ellul. The days of Ellul are "Yimei Rachamim V'Rotzon – Days of mercy and will". I heard from a contemporary Darshan Shlit"a, that one who looks at the days of Rosh Hashonoh and Yom Kippur as a "Shvartzoh pintel – a black dot", he has missed the essence of the greatness of these wondrous days. The Binei Yissoschor ZY"A says, that in the "Mi Shebirach" on Rosh Hashonoh and Yom Kippur, the Gabbai should not say "Bayom Hadin Hazeh – on this day of judgement" for it is a day of Rachamim – mercy.
These days are Yimei HoRachamim VihaSlichos. My Rebbe Reb Refoel Green ZT"L would say, "The reason it is called High Holidays is to sell seats in the Synagogues, rather it is Yimei HoRachamim VihaSlichos, as written in Seforim HaKedoshim". May we be Zoche (merit) to come closer to Hashem and Hashem shall come closer to us, grant us a sweet new year & a Geuloh Kerovoh - speedy redemption, Omein.
