Elul Acronyms

3 Elul

Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li
Mishloach Manos Ish L'Re'ehu U'Matanos L'Evyonim

I know it works out a little better with the Hebrew, but these are two of the acronyms that Elul (Alef Lamed Vav Lamed) comes out to.

The first one, Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li, comes from a pasuk in Shir HaShirim, where Shlomo HaMelech explains the relationship that he has with HKBH. It is a level to strive for, where everything you do is for HKBH - I am to my Beloved, and my Beloved is to me. On such a level, HKBH reciprocates our love for Him back to us. This acronym highlights the bein adam l'makom aspect of Elul and Teshuva.

The second acronym is, naturally, from Purim. These are the two mitzvos that exist on Purim bein adam l'chavero - Mishloach Manos (sending food gifts) and Matanos L'Evyonim (giving tzedaka). This acronym highlights the bein adam l'chaveiro aspect of Elul and Teshuva.

It seems to me that people are generally excellent in one of the above areas. You may disagree, but many of the people I meet excel in one but not the other. One Jew may be incredibly devout in their beliefs and medakdek (careful) in their mitzvos, but they may be lacking a little in their manners or their interactions with others. Another Jew may be the nicest guy in the world, but he'll slack off a little in terms of his bein adam l'makom observance.

We have to be able to grow in both areas. We cannot solely focus on one aspect of Yiddishkeit - there were two sides to the Luchos, two realms of mitzvos which we must master. iy"H if we put in our efforts in both areas, we will be matzliach.