We are now in the month of Elul, uniquely described as the days when the ‘King is in the field’. Normally, in order to gain an audience with a president, one must go through a lengthy procedure. Long travel, waiting for an appointment which would be short and very formal. When actually in the meeting, being so overwhelmed, one may even forget to actually submit his request.
However, when the president is campaigning, he often arrives without the bells, whistles and regalia that he is accustomed to. He may let go of formalities, mingle with the people, ‘shaking hands and kissing babies’, approachable to all.
During this month of Elul, the ‘King is in the field’. G-d Almighty is more readily accessible. We need only make the effort to step out of our comfort zone, to go out and greet Him.
The word Elul is an acronym for ‘Ani ledodi vedodi li’ – ‘I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me.’ This is a reference to the two-way relationship between G-d and the Jewish people. This relationship always exists, but it is on full display during this month.
By utilizing these final weeks of the year to ‘enter the zone’, we will be better positioned for our formal ‘meeting’ on the Awesome days ahead of us.