We are currently in the month of Elul, the month of preparation for the Day of Judgement, Rosh HaShana.

Traditionally, people associate Elul with a time of introspection. 

It is the month when one reviews the negative aspects of one’s character and shortcomings in one’s compliance with G-d’s Torah, and decides on ways to improve them.

However although this is necessary, it is by no means the whole purpose of Elul. Indeed, as we shall demonstrate, it may not even be the main part. 

You see, there is a famous Chassidic dictum, enunciated by the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneerson:

“Just as one must recognise shortcomings, so too, one must recognise his own qualities.”

True, it is important to recognise and improve upon one’s shortcomings, but the Rebbe ascribes at least equal importance to the recognition of one’s own good qualities.

The reason for this is clear: If a person spends too much time thinking about how far short he has fallen, it is quite possible that rather than becoming encouraged to do more, he will merely throw in the towel and give up. 

Similarly if a person doesn’t spend some time contemplating how much good he possesses and has already done, he is likely to consider himself a spiritual “loser” and not even bother trying to do better.

This is why it is so important to balance an accounting of one’s negative traits and actions with an at least equal measure of contemplation of one’s positive character traits and actions.

This should not of course be done with the intention of becoming complacent and thinking, “Wow, I have arrived already and don’t need to do any more,” but rather as a spur to becoming better still.

The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, provides a further inspiring insight to the above words of his illustrious predecessor.

He notes that the above statement includes the words “his own” only when referring to the person’s good qualities, but not when mentioning shortcomings. 

The reason, explains the Rebbe, is that in essence, sins and shortcomings are foreign and don’t belong to a Jew. The only reason that a jew comes in contact with sin is that he has been charged with a mission to elevate this world; thus inevitably he comes in contact with and is influenced by, the negative inclination within him. However, even after he succumbs to sin, it is truly not his, but merely an extraneous matter that lingers on due to outside influences and environment.

And so the month of Elul is a time when the Jew must become aware of his quintessential essence - his goodness and kindness - for this is his true self.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM, Shabbat Shoftim, 5774