Prepare in the month of Elul, להכין בחודש אלול

There is an oft-repeated concept that tzaros transpire so that we should learn a lesson. This is rooted in the Gemara (Yevamos 63a) which states, “Rabi Elazar ben Avina says: Ein puraniyos bah le’olam elah bishvil Yisroel - Calamities only come to the world because of the Jewish people.”

Rashi (ibid.) explains that catastrophes occur so that the Jews will become fearful of what sin causes, and will repent and do teshuvah.

It is worth noting that it was during the month of Elul ten years ago that one of the greatest tragedies to ever befall this country transpired on 9/11. Four years later, one of the greatest natural disasters took place during the month of Elul, when Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans. It is not for nothing that Hurricane Irene blew in as we were bentching Rosh Chodesh Elul.

We had a summer that began with the petirah of three gedolei Yisroel, in quick succession, followed by the brutal murder of a sweet young child. This was followed by an unprecedented assassination of a tzaddik and an upswing in attacks on Eretz Yisroel's defenseless border towns.

So to differ with the very-eloquent Times columnist, while we also hit a ceiling, our ceiling does have a skylight, a shaft of light that shines in and tells us, “Ki eisheiv bachoshech, Hashem ohr li” (Michah 7:8).

We reiterate this every day. Even if an entire encampment stands in our way, even if war comes our way, we will not fear. Because “bezos ani botei’ach.”We have a shaft of light that can break through any ceiling, a rock that can save us in any storm Hashem ori veyishi, mimi ira. These days are called the yemei harachamim. There is a well-known homiletical explanation of the term “Kel molei rachamim,” comparing Hashem’s compassion to a cup filled to the brim with water. One need only jostle the cup slightly to send water pouring over its edges.

Hashemis molei rachamim. He is filled to the brim with mercy and love for us. We need only move Him ever so slightly to cause a shefa of His great healing rachamim to rain down on us. We have the tools - teshuvah, tefillah andtzedakah. And we have the time - the thirty days of Elul.

This week, we were reminded to prepare, to respond to early warning signals, and to make sure that we are safe, sheltered and warm, yachbi’eini tachas Yado, in His embrace.

Source: Stormy Preparations