Elul can be a confusing time of year. Feel free to click on this link for a shiur that adds some focus to these precious days. http://www.torahanytime.com/video/whats-the-point-of-elul/

שְׁמַע ה’ קוֹלִי אֶקְרָא וְחָנֵּנִי וַעֲנֵנִי: Hashem, hear my voice when I call, be gracious towards me and answer me. The first six pesukim were essentially words of introduction to his real request. David Hamelech now asks Hashem to remove anything and everything that is an impediment to his avodas Hashem. He realises that this … More 5th Elul

(ה) כִּי יִצְפְּנֵנִי בְּסֻכֹּה בְּיוֹם רָעָה יַסְתִּרֵנִי בְּסֵתֶר אָהֳלוֹ בְּצוּר יְרוֹמְמֵנִי: (ו) וְעַתָּה יָרוּם רֹאשִׁי עַל אֹיְבַי סְבִיבוֹתַי וְאֶזְבְּחָה בְאָהֳלוֹ זִבְחֵי תְרוּעָה אָשִׁירָה וַאֲזַמְּרָה לה’:   That He will hide me in His tabernacle on the day of calamity; He will conceal me in the secrecy of His tent; He will lift me up on … More 4th Elul

Day 3 Perhaps the most famous line of the chapter, and certainly the most popular song is the next verse. אַחַת שָׁאַלְתִּי מֵאֵת ה’ אוֹתָהּ אֲבַקֵּשׁ שִׁבְתִּי בְּבֵית ה’ כָּל יְמֵי חַיַּי לַחֲזוֹת בְּנֹעַם ה’ וּלְבַקֵּר בְּהֵיכָלוֹ: One thing I asked of Hashem, that I shall seek: To live in the house of Hashem all … More 3rd Elul

Continuing with a look at Tehillim chapter 27 The Malbim, consistent with his approach that there are no synonyms in Tanach and that each word has its own meaning and nuance, discusses the difference between יראה and פחד, which are generally translated into English as ‘fear’ and ‘dread’. He explains  that  יראה  is fear of  … More 2nd Elul 5775

1st Elul 5775 Today we started saying Tehillim Chapter 27 לדוד ה’ אורי, and whilst the words will become increasingly familiar, we often don’t have time to think about their meaning, so I would like to start with this. לְדָוִד ה’ אוֹרִי וְיִשְׁעִי מִמִּי אִירָא ה’ מָעוֹז חַיַּי מִמִּי אֶפְחָד: Of David, Hashem is my … More 1st Elul 5775 – time to get going