Teshuvah alludes to a time of repentance linked to Moshe interceding 40 days when Israel sinned with the golden calf (Exodus 32).
These 40 days begin on the first day of the sixth biblical month and include 29 Days of Elul. Jewish tradition points to the name of the month as symbolically appropriate – the letters of Elul form an acronym for the words in the verse (Ani l’dodi vadodi li) “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” (Song of Songs 6:3). We believe the “beloved” refers to Elohim, the Jewish sages take this verse to describe the particularly loving and close relationship between Elohim and Israel. Elul, then, is our time to establish this closeness in order to approach the Yamim Nora’im (Days of Awe) in trusting acceptance of Elohim’s judgement. We approach this not out of fear, but out of love. Upon the sighting of the Renewed Moon on the 6th Biblical Month the days of Elul begin. We focus on reconciliation to Elohim through review of our relationships with men and women on this earth. Yeshua tells us to go to our brother/sister who has something against you before you bring your gift to the alter. Yeshua teaches us to pray “Forgive us of our trespasses and we have forgiven those who have trespassed against us.” Matti 6:12 Yeshua further states, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matti 6:14-15 Yeshua has been recorded saying, ” But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions.” Mark 11:26
This time of the year is one of the most important to us. TnT practice this lifestyle all throughout the year, yet during this time we take even more time in discussion reviewing our interactions with others. It is extremely important we love one another as ourselves. When Yeshua was asked what is the greatest mitzvah(commandment) He respond; “Love Elohim with all your heart, with all your body and all your soul. The second of this is to Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is why we firmly believe the cornerstone to loving Elohim is in the actions we take to restore our relationships with one another. We all come from different lands, we are all foreigners brought to the promised land through the blood sacrifice of Yeshua made many moons ago. We have been forgiven yet we are called to forgive and reconcile with one another. In this way we can walk hand in hand as brothers/sisters trusting our one true Elohim.
It is said HaMashi’ak (The Messiah) will return at the Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets). Let not your heart be uncircumcised when He returns. Sit down and circumcise your heart during this time of reflection. Write down who you have harmed through your actions or who may have been harmed. Make a phone call and setup a time to sit down with them and discuss what you have done wrong in their eyes. Be sure to discuss only your trespasses. It is not for us to name or point out others trespasses. This job is for HaRuakh Khodesh (The Holy Spirit). We are only cleaning our side of the street to ensure we are prepared for Yamim Nora’im.
Read Daniel 9:4-19 and Tehillah (Psalms) 27 daily in your time of reflection.
Yom Teruah will come quickly and we must be sure we are prepared. Let not Yeshuah our Judge look at us and say “I have been with you such a long time, and do you not know me? ” or worse yet He will say; “Get behind me Satan! For you have in mind not the things of Elohim, but the things of men.”
Yom Teruah begins on the 1st day of the seventh Biblical month. Following Elul are ten Days of Awe when it is believed the gate of heaven is uniquely open for our petitions and intercession. This season climaxes on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
These 40 days are a special time each year we spend praying, studying and interceding for the coming year (taken from the Hebrew calendar which begins in the fall).