The herald., 1897-09-07
MONTHOF PREPARATlON
RABBI EDELMAN EXPLAINS T8y
DUTIES OF THE SEASON
A Time Of Preparation for the solemu
Days Approaching-Making
Ready for New Years

Following are few remarks by Rabbi
A. w. Edelman upon the forthcoming
Hebrew month of Ellul. or preparations
for atonement:
Among the several months Of the He
brew year, the present month (Ellul
ranks foremost as a period of prepara-
ton. The summer has closed; the fall
and cheerless winter. What lesson
does this convey to the ISraelite desirous
of instruction? 1t teaches him to gar.
ner in the summer months, SO that when
he gathers its fruits ere the fall closes
on him, he may fill the storehouse Of the
mind with such good deeds as may
tend to give him warmth in the coldest
winters day. What beautiful theme
Is here unfolded for refiection-to pres
pare in summer for stern winter To
all those who in the heyday of their
lives imagine they are destined to enjoy
a perpetual summer, the month comes
opportune. Happy is that Israelite whos
in his summer Of life, prepares so that
when winter arrives he may defy its
piercing cold; for he feels warmth with-
in him, produced by the good deeds he
all external cold.
In its religious aspect, the month Of
Ellul impresses every Jewish heart, and
by its warning voice instructs all born
within the pale of Judaism to prepare
for the solemn days approaching. 1t
was indeed a good act of our wise men 10
arrange it 80 that on the first day OF
Ellul the sound Of the cornet (shopharl
should send forth it's thrilling notes, in
every synagogue, acting as an admon-
isher to all the worshipers to prepare
for that august period when they would
be summoned to make an appearance
before God to give an account of their
past doings, and to promise amendment
in the future. This sounding Of the
shophar was continued daily Except on
Saturday, until the day before the New
Year. Hard, indeed, must have been
that heart which could have heard the
sound of these notes and remained ur-
moved.
Such was the practice when the portals
of every shrine were open daily to re-
ceive worshipers, but now, with some
laudable exceptions, the doors OF the
synagogue are only opened on Sabbath
(when the shophar is not heard), as If no
preparation were needed. The march OF
improvement has decided that to make
q daily appearance before the "Hearer
of prayers" is no longer necessary. With
some, a weekly attendance in the
houses dedicated to religion is all-suf-
ficient, whilst others contend by their
acts that an annual attendance, on the
Day of Atonement is the duty OF every
Jew, and, for that no preparation Is
needed.
To persons who argue thus the month
of Ellul has no Specification. The tenth
of Tishri, "Atonement Day." Is all they
keep Gin memory's calendar). and all
though we can assign no valid reason for
so erratic course, yet custom has so
strongly indented in the minds of some
who never think that the Day of Atone
ment is the all in all Of the Jewish re-
ligon, that all I could urge to the con-
trary would not influence them to alter.
There is another reason why the month
of Ellul is one Of preparation. and that
is, to set "the house In order" to ac-
commodate not only their members. but
the various transient applications for
seats for the holidays For this every
effort is generally made, for although
there are many who very seldom ven
ture during the year to enter the pre-
cincts Of a religious edifice, yet they
prepare themselves with seats for the
New Year.
Hence synagogues deserted through
cut the year are usually filled on the
first and tenth days Of Tishri, and for
this unusual number the executive Of
ficers Of synagogues have to make due
preparations during the month Of ElluI.
But the most potent reason why the
month Of Ellul is period Of preparation,
is to remind us Of our own lives. We pre-
pare ourselves whilst here to have
some claim for the hereafter; for this
reason only were (and still are) syna-
gogues erected, and for this was the SOL
emn season instituted.
I'VE are to prepare ourselves in the
outer courts, that we may be entitled to
enter the palace in the presence of the
King" Preparation is the pioneer to
perfection. We should, therefore. all
earnestly endeavor to be faithful Israel
ties, and heed the watchword OF the
Prophet.
"Hik-kon Likrath Elohecho Yisroel."
prepare to meet thy God. o Israel"
And then we may all look for good and
boppv NaW Year