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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Lucida Sans"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Lucida Sans"'>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 '<i><span style='font-style:italic'>vayochal</span></i>,' 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 <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>our</span></b> first sin of the year and sincerely do <i><span
style='font-style:italic'>teshuva. </span></i></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Lucida Sans"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Lucida Sans"'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Lucida Sans"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Lucida Sans"'>The very last word in the Torah equaling 67 is in
Chronicles 1, 29:21. The word is </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Lucida Sans"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Sans";font-style:italic'>'z'vachim,'</span></font></i><font
size=3 face="Lucida Sans"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Sans"'>
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 <i><span
style='font-style:italic'>complete </span></i>(<i><span style='font-style:
italic'>shalem</span></i>) sense of the word. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Lucida Sans"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Lucida Sans"'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Lucida Sans"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Lucida Sans"'>The 67th word in the Torah is in Bereshis
1:7, fourth word, which is '<i><span style='font-style:italic'>ha-ra-ki-a</span></i>,'
(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 <i><span style='font-style:italic'>heaven</span></i>. And
so it is with our lives at this <u>awe</u>some 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 <i><span
style='font-style:italic'>heaven</span></i> down to earth!</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Lucida Sans"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Lucida Sans"'>Richard Wolberg</span></font></p>
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