Elul

"Thoughts on Elul and the Six Principles" by Messianic Rabbi Ron Aaronson

The month of Elul plus the 10 Days of Awe constitute what is known as the 40 Days of Return. A special prayer called the Selichot is associated with this season and challenges us: "Let us confront not only who we are or who we have become, but also who we might become." In other words, "Draw near unto Me, return to Me, says the Lord."

T'Shuvah (repentance) is a process of return and reconciliation. This process can be seen in the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke. And in Jewish tradition it is described as six steps, or six principles, each building on the other and vital to true return. The following describes the six principles and contains some quotes from them.

The Six Principles (SP)
1.Introspection and Recognition: Lamentations 3:40-41, Psalms 51:45
a.If a man does not recognize he has sinned, he will never repent.
b.Recognize and take full responsibility. "I have done this sin."
c.Cheshbon hanefesh - accounting of the soul, turning inward. "Let a man [thoroughly] examine himself…" (I Cor. 11:28)

2.Confession and Rebuke
a.People who cover up their sin will never stop doing it. "He who conceals his sins will not succeed; he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy." (Prov. 28:13)
b.Rabbi Simeon said, "If a man confesses to a tribunal, he is punished. If he does not confess, he may be acquitted. But God acts otherwise. If a man does not confess he is punished; if he confesses, he is acquitted." See also: Proverbs 28:23, Leviticus 19:17-18
c.The biggest hindrance to repentance is pride which leads to refusing rebuke.

3.Repentance and Atonement - At-one-ment
a.Remorse is self-reproach, sorrow for what I have done. Leviticus 19 (moral and ceremonial law) has been referred to as The Holiness Code.
b."True repentance brings joy, heaviness is lifted." See also: Ps. 32:3-5
c.Someone wrote: Sins against God are forgiven on Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement. But sins against humans can only be forgiven by true repentance and renewal.

4.Rejection of repeated sin: The fruit of real repentance is only truly evident when you are confronted with that same sin and you refuse to repeat it.
5.Forgiveness Ps. 27:9-10, Ps 130:2-3, Ps 51, Ps 86:5
6.Renewal and Transformation Ezek. 18:31, Lam. 5:21

There are five verses in the Bible that constitute the essence of Judaism and they begin with the 5 letters that make up the Hebrew word T'Shuvah: tav, shin, vav, beth, heh.
1.Deuteronomy 18:13 "You shall love Adonai wholeheartedly."
2.Psalm 16:8 "I have set Adonai always before me."
3.Leviticus 19:18 "But you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
4.Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge God."
5.Micah 6:8 "Walk humbly with your God."

There are three things required for repentance. These three make it possible to return and be healed.
1.Seeing eyes - let your eyes see your conduct.
2.Hearing ears - let your ears hear the words of God and act accordingly
3.An understanding heart - let your heart understand its eternal purpose

Special readings: Hosea 14:2, 3, 6 and 11:1, 3 I John 1:8-9