2. What is an acronym?
0 An acronym is a word formed from the first letters of
other words.
0 For example: JCC is the acronym for Jewish
Community Center.

3. What does stand for?
0 There 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.
0 As we discuss each of these verses, complete the table
with which you have been provided.

5. 0 Source:
0 Translation: “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.”

6. 0 When 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.

7. 0 During this month we set aside extra time for studying
.

9. 0 Source: ‘
0 Translation: “I am my beloved’s (‘ ) and my Beloved
(' ) is mine”.

10. 0 (King Solomon)
said these words when talking about the special
connection we have to ' • (G-d) by “talking” to
through (prayer).
0 During the month of Πit 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.

11. 0 We should our love for (G-d) through
(prayer), to which He listens.

13. 0 Source:
0 Translation: “...And sending of gifts a man to his friend
and presents to the poor.”

14. 0 We celebrate the miracle of (Purim) through
sending gifts and presents to the poor.
0 During Π(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.

15. 0 We should act kindly to each other and give
(charity) to the poor.

17. 0 Source:
0 Translation: “And ‘ will circumcise (remove the
obstacles of) your heart and the hearts of your
descendants so that you will love ‘ your G-d...”.

18. 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!

19. 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).