Rabbi Yeshaya Horowitz writes in his Shnei Luchot HaBrith (Messechet Rosh Hashana, Amud HaDin): The ancients (Kadmonim) gave a sign (for the days of judgement and the period of repentance preceding them): Aryeh Sha’ag Mi Lo Yira (The Lion has roared, who will not fear (Amos 3:8). The word Aryeh stands for Aleph- Elul, Reish- Rosh Hashana, Yud- Yom Kippur, He -Hosnana Rabba.
Jews are accustomed to fast from Rosh Chodesh Elul to Yom Kippur, which are days when special prayers and supplications are recited. Our people associated this period with the verse Ani LeDodi VeDodi Li (I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. Shir HasShirim 6:3), the initial letters of which form the word Elul. Every one of the final letters is a Yud (10). Four times ten makes forty. The number represents the days from Roch Chodesh Elul to Yom Kipppur. The special repentance period of the month of Elul has also been associated with the verse:”UMal Hashem… Et Levavcha Ve’et Levav Zarecha” (And the L-rd with circumcise you heart and the heart of your offspringDevarim 30:6)
The initials of the words Et Levavcha Ve’et Levav Zarecha form the word Elul, because this month is predisposed for repentance. It stands to reason that being the last month of the year, during this month one should repent for transgressions committed throughout the year, so as not to enter Rosh Hashana, the day of judgement, laden with sin. One should correct one’s misdeeds throughout this month as well as during the Ten Days of Repentance which, as the name indicates have been instituted for that purpose and are also days of judgement.
Though the Shelah writes that the sign of Aryeh has come down to us from the Kadmonim, this interpretation of Aryeh is apparently not found in the printed writings of the Rishonim in our possession. As far as I know, this interpretation first appeared in our literature in the time of the Shelah. It is found in Matteh Moshe by Rabbi Moshe Mat, a disciple of Rabbi Shlomo Luria (Maharshal) which was printed for the first time in Cracow in 1591
There is also another version of the interpretation of Aryeh. According to this version, too, Aryeh stands for Elul, Rosh Hashana, Yom, Kippur, Hoshana Rabba, but the word is part of a different verse: Hayisha’g Aryeh BaYa’ar VeTeref Ein Lo (Will a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey Amos 3:4) Rabbi Eliezer Papo quotes this Aryeh interpretation in his Pele Yo’etz (entry: Selihot) and explains: “When a man cries out on these days (Elul, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Hoshana Rabba), he should do so for the sake of the Temple (which is called Ya’ar) because it has no prey (on account of our sins we cannot offer sacrifices).
(As for Rabbi Pap’os remark that the Temple is called Ya’ar see Yoma 39b, Yirmiyahu 21:14, the commentary of Yosef Kara there; see also Yoma 9b, Yechezkel 21:2, Rashi ad loc.)
The Shelah mentions in the above cited passage, two verses which have become associated with Elul: Shir HaShirim 6:3 and Devarim 30:6. The Rishonim mention still another verse: U’Va Letzion Go’el U’LeShavei Pesha BeYaakov (anda redeemer will come to ZIon and to those in Jacob who repent, Yeshaya 59:20) The last two letters of the word Go’el and the first two letters of U’Leshavei form the word Elul.
The most popular (sign) of Elul is, of course, the verse of Shir HaShirim: Ani LeDodi VeDodi LI. These words express the special relationship between the L-rd and Israel, and because of that relationship, becase of the L-rd’s love for Israel, He is ever ready to accept them when they return to Him.
The special association of these words of Shir HaShirim with the month o Elul is first found in three works written in Spain in the 14th century.
(Continued next week)
Jewish Press, August 28, 1998