A Special Shelter for Protection from the Accusers
A person should flee to a city of refuge, to be saved from all these accusers. Where is this city of refuge?" The Ari says: "The city of refuge is the month of Elul."
A person, by committing sins throughout the year,
there are destructive forces, there are... there are accusers pursuing the person.
They say to him: "How could you anger the Holy One, Blessed be He, like this?
He gave you eyes to see, and with them you angered Him?
Negative angels are created from this."
When speaking—May Hashem save us—evil speech, falsehood, gossip,
these turn into harmful angels.
When eating—swallowing, heaven forbid, insects/worms, or non-kosher foods (nevelot and treifot)—
where, one doesn't even know where this meat came from—
woe unto him!
This too—May Hashem save us.
Angels are created from this, wanting to break him.
What shall he do?
The Ari [Rabbi Isaac Luria] says, "I will give you advice:
A person should flee to a city of refuge,
to be saved from all these accusers.
Where is this city of refuge?"
The Ari says: "The city of refuge is the month of Elul."
In the month of Elul, let him come to the Nahar Shalom Yeshiva, repent,
leave everything behind,
walk in the ways of Hashem, and recite Selichot (penitential prayers) every day.
Where is this alluded to?
The Ari says and writes:
"Inna LeYado VeSamti Lach" ("The L-rd brought it to his hand, and I will appoint for you [a place to flee]" - Exodus 21:13)—
The first letters spell E-L-U-L (אלול).
"VeHaElohim Inna LeYado VeSamti Lach" — Elul.
He says: Flee into the month of Elul!
This is a city of refuge; no one can touch him.
No one can harm him.
He flees there—and he is done with all troubles and all problems.
Isn't that beautiful?
Pure sweetness (literally "Sugar")!
Let us all take it upon ourselves to flee into the month of Elul.
What a privilege this is!
Let us observe Elul properly!
What a very, very great merit!