"I read an article on Elul," are the opening words of the Mashgiach, HaRav Binyomin Finkel, "which was written by a distinguished Jew. I was very upset by his words. He relates to the famous words of HaRav Yisroel Salanter: 'In the past, when I knew that anyone. upon hearing the announcement of the coming of Elul, each according to his particular level, was seized with fear and trembling.' That trembling, he maintains, was only a thing of the past, when times were so difficult and full of suffering. Today, this does not apply. Rather, we must focus on proximity to Hashem."
"I fail to understand: during the period of HaRav Salanter, a feeling of closeness to Hashem was very palpable. Would that we, too, could experience something of the kind in this generation as well. Furthermore, are these times any less difficult? Have we not experienced a year full of suffering and tragedies, may Hashem forfend?
"The writer of the article yet argues that we do not see a relationship to the 'trembling' of Elul in Chazal. It was only HaRav Salanter who introduced this idea, he argues.
"But this is also untrue. Rabbenu Yonah specifically relates to this in his Sefer HaYirah: "When Elul is ushered in, one should be fearful and frightened from the dread of the judgment up until Yom Kippur.' This anxiety is a very nostrum to aid us in the judgment. One must not remain only with this apprehension but we must also draw closer and contemplate our actions. The problem today is that people are disconcerted, and confuse fear and awe with pressure and depression. It is this anxiety itself which causes a closeness to Hashem."
It sometimes appears that there is a general apathy regarding Elul. Is this true?
Rav Finkel: There are three types of people whose relationship differs from each other. There is one type who is totally indifferent and unemotional regarding Elul. There are others who lack the emotional strength to deal with the tension of these days, and there are yet others who are serene and assured that they will succeed in the judgment.
"Alas for the first type, the one who is apathetic and does not take himself in hand to take the necessary steps to save himself from a negative judgment. The second type is one who lacks the emotional stamina and fears the stress and pressure of this decisive period. He must be exhorted, again and again, that the judge is the King of kings, and this King seeks his benefit.
"Let us imagine that a judge approaches him a month before his trial and says to him: 'You have a difficult trial coming up for which you must prepare yourself well.' He then gives him advice on how to fare well and what to avoid. He urges him to exert himself a few weeks before the trial in order to be judged favorably. The man asks the judge on what grounds was he privy to such good counsel and the judge replies: 'I am your uncle and am concerned for your welfare.'
"If he takes the opportunity and prepares properly, wonderful. But if he just ignores it all, he will appear strange. His family will wonder why he does not take the offered advice. It is like he is committing suicide.
"But if he follows the advice and prepares, and even does more, he will certainly pass the judgment. He will know how to answer any questions he is asked.
"There is another cause for coldness about Elul. Some people get depressed about the fear of the din. Some say, `Don't make Elul so dark.' But he should realize that people mean well and they are coming to help him. They are not trying to burden him."
