Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li
The rabbis teach that the word Elul, the name of this month, is an acronym for the well-known phrase from Song of Songs: “Ani L’dodi, v’dodi li—I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine” (Shir HaShirim 6:3). Elul serves as a month of deep connection to ourselves and others, as well as connecting with our actions towards ourselves and others.
What can we make of this love letter? What can we make of it when we are trying to look inward for reflection as we approach the new year? We find ourselves more than halfway through the month of Elul, the days of doing this work are waning—what can we do to make these days count?
I interpret this hidden message to be a similar message to Pirkei Avot: “if I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I?” (Pirkei Avot 1:13). Our texts and our tradition lay the foundation for us to do the, at times challenging, work of strengthening ourselves through personal growth, but make it clear that our growth and strength as individuals is dependent upon our relationships with others.
While the path of Elul encourages us to focus on one’s self, we welcome Tishrei in community with others. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are days marked by friendly faces that welcome us as we enter into our communal prayer space. We hear the sounds of the shofar alongside Jewish communities worldwide. And when we reach Yom Kippur, we offer our Vidui, confessional, in the 1st person plural, -nu, to take accountability for our actions as individuals and as one.
Elul is a month in which we are tasked with the work of deepening our love for ourselves and our beloveds. Elul as an acronym is aspirational—this work is hard. But when done intentionally, we can find ourselves open to new growth and possibility in the year to come.
— Yael Farber, Rabbinic Intern