R. Yonatan Eibeshitz was a brilliant Torah scholar, preacher, and kabbalist. He led a Torah academy in Prague, and later served as rabbi in Metz and in the joint cities of Altona, Hamburg, and Wandsbek. R. Yonatan authored many works in the fields of Jewish law, homily, and other topics. Some of his more well-known works include Kereiti U’Pleiti, Urim Ve’Tumim (both commentaries on various sections of the Code of Jewish Law), and Yaarot Devash (homiletic sermons).
R. Yonatan was held in high esteem by many members of the nobility and clergy. Many stories are told of his clever responses to the queries they posited to him.
Links: Rabbi Jonathan Eybeschutz, Planning
As the last month of the Jewish year, Elul is traditionally a time of introspection and stocktaking -- a time to review one's deeds and spiritual progress over the past year and prepare for the upcoming "Days of Awe" of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
As the month of Divine Mercy and Forgiveness (see "Today in Jewish History" for Elul 1) it is a most opportune time for teshuvah ("return" to G-d), prayer, charity, and increased Ahavat Yisrael (love for a fellow Jew) in the quest for self-improvement and coming closer to G-d. Chassidic master Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi likens the month of Elul to a time when "the king is in the field" and, in contrast to when he is in the royal palace, "everyone who so desires is permitted to meet him, and he receives them all with a cheerful countenance and shows a smiling face to them all."
Specific Elul customs include the daily sounding of the shofar (ram's horn) as a call to repentance. The Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms). Click below to view today's Psalms.
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Elul is also the time to have one's tefillin and mezuzot checked by an accredited scribe to ensure that they are in good condition and fit for use.
Links: More on Elul
G‑d is beyond this world He has made, but He is found within it, as well. He is found in every atom, in every event, in every breath of every living being of this world.
And on Rosh Hashanah, G‑d puts Himself on trial.
“Is there meaning to be found,” He asks Himself, “in sustaining this world and all that inhabits it?”
Who will plead on His behalf?
We, the human being. We act as the defense attorneys.
We must demonstrate that, yes, there is awe, there is love, there is meaning, there is purpose in every detail of our life, and it is good.
In truth, we need only awaken the spark of G-d within our own souls. That spark within us connects with the Infinite Light of G‑d above. The circuit is complete and a new universe begins.
So that each year it is a different world, an entirely new world. A world of even greater meaning.