חֹדֶשׁ אֱלוּל

The intention of the month of Elul is rectification of the bris. That is: through studying properly — and fulfilling the views and counsels explained in Likutay MoHaRaN Part I, §6 — how to strengthen oneself at all times and not to distance oneself from Hashem, may He be blessed: whether at the greatest ascent, or whether through the greatest fall, G-d forbid — whether materially or spiritually — these teachings are called the intentions of Elul [כַּוָּנוֹת אֱלוּל]. For all the Elul intentions explained in the writings of the Ari, of blessed memory, allude to the views and counsels mentioned above — through which one merits rectification of the bris. And through expertise in these teachings and counsels, and their genuine fulfillment, one merits to find the true match [זִוּוּג אֲמִתִּי] — and the match is aligned with his will: that is, she agrees and is pleased with his views and conduct in fear of G-d and Torah observance in every detail.

The time of the month of Elul is effective for finding knowledge — that is, properly yearning and longing for genuine knowledge. That is: if one genuinely yearns and properly desires to merit genuine knowledge — it is possible to merit during the month of Elul to know and understand true wisdoms that one had not known previously. And through the true knowledge one has merited, one makes new garments for the soul [לְבוּשִׁים חֲדָשִׁים לַנְּשָׁמָה] — that is, one receives a new intellect to know Hashem, may He be blessed. This intellect is called "לְבוּשִׁין דְּנִשְׁמְתָא" ["garments of the soul"] as explained in the holy Zohar. And one is saved from all troubles.

The month of Elul is effective for circumcising the foreskin of the heart [מוּל אֶת עָרְלַת הַלֵּב]. That is: through genuine repentance, true prayers, and good deeds that one engages in during the month of Elul, one merits to subdue the sealed-heartedness — which is the primary obstacle to drawing close to Hashem, may He be blessed, and to Torah observance. That is: one merits to feel in the heart the greatness of the sin before Him, may He be blessed — and one is aroused so greatly to fear of G-d and Torah observance that one merits to subdue the foreskin of the heart. And this arousal reaches also to one's children — until they too are aroused to fear of G-d and Torah observance, and they merit repentance.

The primary time of repentance is the month of Elul. For the days of Elul are days of [Divine] goodwill — for then Moshe Rabbeinu, peace be upon him, ascended on High to receive the second Tablets, and through this he opened the path of repentance for every person. And the primary path of repentance that Moshe Rabbeinu made known is: that every person should know that Hashem, may He be blessed, is present with him in every place. Therefore every person must remember: whether at the greatest ascent — and in abundance both materially and spiritually — or whether he falls to the greatest fall, G-d forbid, materially or spiritually — he must prevail not to distance himself from Hashem, may He be blessed. For we see that many people distance themselves from Hashem because of too much worldly success and material abundance — or they distance themselves from Hashem because of an abundance of wisdom, even Torah wisdom, or because of extensive service of Hashem when it is not genuinely for the sake of Heaven as it should be. And likewise when people fall, G-d forbid — because they are burdened with very great material sufferings, or they fall greatly from service of Hashem, from fear of G-d and Torah observance, and arrive at many blemishes, G-d forbid — then one must remember that Hashem, may He be blessed, is present with every person, both at a time of ascent and at a time of descent. And therefore at a time of ascent and material abundance, one must be very careful in every detail from pride and haughtiness. And certainly at a time of spiritual ascent one must also guard from pride and excess of light. And at a time of spiritual or material descent one must be very careful not to fall, G-d forbid, into sadness and despair — and strengthen oneself in joy. Materially: as explained in Likutay MoHaRaN on the verse "In my distress You have expanded me". And spiritually: as explained in Likutay MoHaRaN in the Torah "Azamra le'Elokai be'odi". And also to always strengthen oneself with genuine trust and true hope in Hashem, may He be blessed. And through this one will always strengthen oneself in genuine faith and proper fear of G-d.