ROSH CHODESH ELUL

Today is Rosh Chodesh Elul, the beginning of the final month of the Jewish year.
Just as a shopkeeper devotes a certain amount of time to taking inventory and evaluating the success of his enterprise, so too, each one of us must take time to evaluate his or her conduct and see whether we have been using our Divine potential successfully.

In one month's time, on Rosh Hashana, the beginning of the new year, G-d will judge us. This month of Elul is set aside as a time for us to judge ourselves - to take stock of the way we are living our lives and see whether there is a need for change.

Although Elul is a time for introspection, it is characterized by feelings of love and closeness to G-d. As is the acronym for Elul - Ani l'dodi v'dodi li - 'I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine'. We are bound to G-d in an intimate bond. Since a spark of G-dliness lies at the core of our being, we need not feel threatened by the process of self- assessment.

There is no worry that G-d will reject us, for our relationship with Him is an established fact. Taking the time out for self-appraisal is itself an act of love, spurring a response of love from G-d.

And through this preparation, one merits a good and sweet year, materially and spiritually.