Although our tradition believes that God always watches over the world, and over the Jewish people, we also believe that, in a sense, God is more accessible during the 40 day period beginning with the start of Elul and culminating in the first 10 days of the month of Tishrei.

These days, known as Aseret Y'mei T'shuva, the 10 Days of Repentance, begin with Rosh HaShana and conclude with Yom Kippur.

Following the prophetic principle set down in Isaiah, "Seek God when God is at hand; Call upon God when God is near," Jews make special efforts to renew our commitment to the Divine during this period of the year when God is "closest" to us

Elul has been interpreted by some as an acronym, with its Hebrew letters, Aleph, Lamed, Vav, Lamed representing the words from the Biblical book Song of Songs, Ani L'Dodi, V'Dodi Li -- I am my beloved's, and my Beloved is mine.

These words are often spoken by a bride to her groom under the chupah, the wedding canopy.

However, in this particular case, "Beloved" refers to God, and "I" refers to the Jewish people

How many of us have difficulty accepting the notion that God loves us, when often we find it difficult to love ourselves? Looking at ourselves each morning in the bathroom mirror, we often see someone that we don't particularly care for. Sometimes these feelings are warranted; often they are not.

Many of us have grown up in families where criticism was common, where pointing out our shortcomings and faults was de rigeur. If we were not embraced by our parents as children, in spite of our faults, it is that much more difficult to love ourselves now, but it is not impossible.

What a beautiful notion our wise tradition teaches.

First, that God loves us, both collectively as a people, and as individuals.

Second, that we can always return to God. T'shuva means "return" no matter how far away we might find ourselves.

And third, that now, this month of Elul, is the time to begin the process of repairing ourselves, repairing our relationship with God, our relationships with our friends and family members whom we might have wronged. And to do all of this in the context of a religious community who share our goals