[Avodah] An Elul Vort

[R Wolberg]

The numerical value of Elul is 67. The very first word in the Torah equaling
67 is in Bereshis, 3:6 (last word).  The word is 'vayochal,' referring to
Adam eating from the forbidden tree.  This is the very first sin recorded in
the Torah. Elul is the beginning of our self-examination in preparation for
the main event. Thus, we struggle to go back to our first sin of the year
and sincerely do teshuva. 

 

The very last word in the Torah equaling 67 is in Chronicles 1, 29:21. The
word is 

'z'vachim,' referring to sacrifices (peace-offerings). During Elul we are
more aware that in order to be worthy of a favorable judgment on the High
Holy Days, we must make 'sacrifices,' and we must strive for peace in the
complete (shalem) sense of the word.  

 

The 67th word in the Torah is in Bereshis 1:7, fourth word, which is
'ha-ra-ki-a,' (the firmament), referring to when God made the firmament
which separated between the waters which were beneath, and the waters which
were above. God called the firmament heaven. And so it is with our lives at
this awesome as well as auspicious time of the year. If we are able to
achieve our lofty goals, and successfully separate between the unholy
beneath and the holy above, we then will bring heaven down to earth!

Richard Wolberg

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