Weekly Dvar Torah: The Campaign Of and For the Soul
In a tiny, remote village, a local store owner adorns the walls of his humble shop with pictures of himself alongside a host of politicians, from the national level to the local representatives. One day, a customer marvels at the photographs and exclaims, “You must be so well-connected! You can probably call the President directly!” The storekeeper, with a knowing smile, replies, “Sure, during campaign season, they all stop by to ask for our votes. But once Election Day is over, it’s a different story—getting through to them is nearly impossible.”
This casual anecdote offers a profound metaphor for the spiritual campaign of the month of Elul, a time when the King—Hashem—is out in the field, accessible to all. Much like politicians during election season, the King makes Himself available to every individual, regardless of their status or attire. During these 30 days, every soul has the opportunity to reconnect with its divine source, to perform Teshuva—commonly misunderstood as repentance but more accurately translated as “return.” Teshuva is the soul’s return to its true, pure self, to the spark of G-dliness that resides within each of us.
The Hebrew term Teshuva is often mistakenly translated as “repentance,” which conveys the notion of regret or remorse. However, Teshuva fundamentally means “return”—a return to the essence of one’s being, to the divine soul implanted within us. The month of Elul provides the perfect backdrop for this return. It is a time when G-d, in His infinite mercy, reaches out to each of us with a smile, welcoming us back with open arms, much like a family welcoming home a long-lost member who has strayed.
Just as the soul yearns to return to its source—G-d—it also seeks to break free from the exile imposed upon it by bodily temptations and material distractions. The physical desires of the body often overpower the spiritual aspirations of the soul, leading to sinful behavior. However, during Elul, G-d offers each person a unique opportunity to wipe the slate clean, to reconcile the soul and body, and to embark on a journey back to their divine source.
Teshuva is a miraculous process. It allows a person not only to rectify their past but also to achieve a higher level of spiritual connection than ever before. The Talmud teaches that the place where repenters stand is beyond the reach of even the most righteous. This highlights the transformative power of Teshuva—it enables a person to reach heights that even those who have never sinned cannot attain. Why? Because the act of returning after straying involves a profound internal struggle, a deep recognition of distance from G-d, and an intense yearning to reconnect. This awareness creates a bond with G-d that is stronger than ever before.
During Elul, G-d’s attributes of mercy shine brightly. This is the time when He is most accessible, ready to forgive and embrace us, just as a family forgives and welcomes back a lost member. In the field, there are no barriers, no formalities. We approach G-d as we are—imperfect, flawed, and in need of mercy. And just as the storekeeper’s access to politicians is limited to campaign season, so too is our opportunity to reconnect with G-d most open during Elul, when He campaigns for our loyalty, preparing us for Rosh Hashanah, the day when we crown Him King.
The Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, offers a poignant metaphor for the month of Elul: the King in the field. Before He returns to His palace and the formality of Rosh Hashanah begins, the King comes out to meet the common people, greeting them in their work clothes, without regard for their status or appearance. This is the time to approach the King freely, without appointments or protocols, and ask for mercy, guidance, and the strength to return.
Elul is not a time for grand celebrations like other Jewish holidays, even though it carries a profound divine revelation. This is because it is a time of personal, informal connection between the soul and G-d. The King is in the field, and we—ordinary people in our “soiled” garments of deviant behavior—have the chance to meet Him, unencumbered by formality. In this state, Teshuva becomes not just an act of repentance but a joyous return to our spiritual roots, an acknowledgment of our divine essence.
Throughout Jewish history, holidays have been times when G-d revealed Himself to the Jewish people through miracles, such as Passover or Chanukah. Yet during Elul, the revelation is different; it is one of mercy. G-d reveals His 13 attributes of mercy, extending His forgiveness even when it is undeserved. Elul’s essence is about tapping into this mercy and returning to a state of closeness with G-d, which culminates in Rosh Hashanah—a time when we once again crown G-d as our King.
The month of Elul is a time of reflection, self-examination, and ultimately, return. It is a time to ask for mercy and to extend mercy to others, as the very name ” YI-SRA-EL” holds within it the divine name of G-d’s attribute of mercy. Elul gives us the opportunity to shed the layers of the past year, peel away our transgressions, and reconnect with our true selves, with G-d, and with our fellow humans.
The soul’s journey on earth is a delicate balance between spiritual aspirations and bodily desires. But in the month of Elul, we are granted a unique opportunity to tip the scales in favor of the soul. G-d, in His infinite mercy, meets us where we are—in the field of our daily struggles—and offers us the chance to return home. Teshuva is not about guilt or regret; it is about rediscovering the divine spark within each of us and allowing it to guide us back to our source. As we stand on the threshold of Rosh Hashanah, let us take full advantage of this time to reconnect, to return, and to embrace the mercy that G-d so freely offers.
The ultimate goal of Teshuva is what the Rambam says: Torah promised that Israel will do Teshuva and immediately she will be redeemed. The time is NOW!
Have a Campaign of a Shabbos back to Yourself,
Gut Shabbos
Rabbi Yosef Katzman
