What is an acronym?

0An acronym is a word formed from the first letters of other words.

0 For example: JCC is the acronym for Jewish Community Center.

What does stand for?

0There are a few (verses) in the Tanach that contain words that begin with the letters:

0 In other words, we find the acronym in a few verses in the Tanach.

0 Let’s look at each of these verses, and what they teach us about how we should behave during the month of

, as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah, the day of Judgment.

0As we discuss each of these verses, complete the table with which you have been provided.

0 Source:

0Translation: “If he did not plan to kill but ' caused it to happen then I (‘ ) will provide a place (for the one who killed) to find refuge.”

0When the • (Torah) discusses the laws of killing, it says that when someone killed his friend by accident, '• (G-d) provides a safe place for the killer - a city of refuge. There, he will be safe from harm.

0 Œ™ (Elul) is a special time that ' • gives us, in which we “find refuge” in the words of • (even more than usual) which keep us safe from all kinds of harm.

0During this month we set aside extra time for studying .

0 Source: ‘

0Translation: “I am my beloved’s (‘ ) and my Beloved (' ) is mine”.

0 (King Solomon) said these words when talking about the special connection we have to ' • (G-d) by “talking” to through (prayer).

0During the month of Œ™ it is most important to strengthen our connection with ' • through extra

.

0 In this phrase, we see that when we are close to Hashem, Hashem is close to us. The way we act to Him, He acts back to us. We see this clearly in our relationship with other people. The way we act to others is usually the way they act to us.

0We should our love for (G-d) through (prayer), to which He listens.

0 Source:

0Translation: “...And sending of gifts a man to his friend and presents to the poor.”

0We celebrate the miracle of (Purim) through sending gifts and presents to the poor.

0During Œ™ (Elul) too, we should increase in our giving (charity) and presents. When we act kindly towards others, '• (G-d) repays us in the same way and is kind to us.

0We should act kindly to each other and give (charity) to the poor.

0 Source:

0Translation: “And ‘ will circumcise (remove the obstacles of) your heart and the hearts of your descendants so that you will love ‘ your G-d...”.

0 Through proper Ž š (Teshuvah - repentance) Hashem will help us get rid of all the obstacles that stop us from doing the right things.

0 The Midrash tells us that Hashem says to us: Open yourselves up for me -like the size of a needle’s hole -- and I will open up for you like the -opening of a great big hall -

0 Hashem is telling us that if we just start doing • sincerely – even just a tiny bit, He will help us tremendously and make it easy for us to continue. Hashem wants US to start the process, then He will help us out with the rest!

0 will cut off our (evil inclination; the little voice in our head that tells us to do things that aren’t right) through our (teshuvah/repentance –returning to Hashem).