ELUL – A Time to seek Adonai

by Rabbi Carol Calise

We just began the month of Elul.  This month is traditionally considered a month of spiritual preparation as we anticipate the coming Holy Days.  The name “Elul” is thought by many to be an acronym for:

    אֲנִי לְדוֹדִי וְדוֹדִי לִי

“Ani L’Dodi for Dodi Li” – I am My Beloved’s and My Beloved is Mine from Shir haShirim (Song of Songs) 6.3.  This is thought by the sages to summarize the relationship between Adonai and His people. Obviously, the heart of G-d is for each person to receive His love and to walk in close communion with Him. 

Traditions associated with this month are the recitation of s’lichot (prayers of repentance) and the daily sounding of the shofar directing us towards the kingship of Adonai.  The sages also believe that Adonai is nearer to us in this month as they believe “the King is in the field” meaning that G-d is more accessible to His creation.  In addition, Tehillim (Psalms) 27 is read every day throughout this month.

We know that G-d is always near us and watching over us. So, as we enter the month of Elul, I would encourage each one of us to focus on a few things:

• Examine the state of our love relationship with Adonai. Have we drawn near with consistency, or allowed distractions to pull us away? In what ways have we nurtured that bond—and where have we neglected it? Just as any relationship requires attention, so too does our connection with the Divine. This season invites us to return, to rekindle devotion, and to strengthen our relationship with Adonai.
• Reflect on our relationships with others. Elul is a time to reflect deeply on our relationships. As we prepare our hearts for Rosh HaShanah, this season calls us to examine not only ourselves, but also how we relate to others. Our connection with G-d is intertwined with our connection to those around us—unresolved conflict or broken fellowship can hinder our approach to Him. Reconciliation, humility, and forgiveness are sacred steps on the path toward renewal.
• Make time to read Tehillim (Psalms) 27—ideally daily, or at least weekly—and let its truths settle deeply in your heart. As you meditate on each verse, invite Adonai to speak encouragement into your spirit. Ask Him not only for understanding, but for the grace to live out these words in your daily walk.

With many of us involved in end-of-summer activities, the beginning of the new school year planning, and preparation for the Holy Days, it is easy to forget what this season and life is all about.   These things can consume our hearts and mind.  We need to remember that life is about staying connected to Adonai and walking in step with His Ruach.  Personally, let this season be a time of renewing our relationship with HaShem and taking care of any issues that have hindered us or as the writer of the book of Messianic Jews (Hebrews) puts it, taking care of  “those things that have easily entangled us.”  For our Jewish people who we are reaching out to share the Besorah of Messiah Yeshua, it is about directing them to the love of their Creator who has established a plan for the atonement of their sins if they would simply do teshuvah – repentance – and turn from their sin and accept Adonai’s way of salvation.

I think the heart of Tehillim 27 is found in verse 8:  “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.”  May this be a time where we truly seek Adonai.  May we hear the longing of our hearts and of His heart towards us and set aside that time to draw near to G-d and receive His love for us.  May we seek His face just because we love Him and not because we have a list of things we need Him to do for us.  (Yes, He is interested in helping us with our lists, but that is such a small part of what He desires for us.)  Let’s prepare our hearts for the High Holy Day season and experience G-d in a greater way this year.  May we each have the heart of King David:  “Just one thing have I asked of ADONAI; only this will I seek: to live in the house of ADONAI all the days of my life, to see the beauty of ADONAI and visit in His temple.”  (Tehillim 27.4)