Today is Chai Elul, the 18th day of the month of Elul. It is the birthday of the founder of Chassidism, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, born in 1698. It is also the day on which his "spiritual grandson," the founder of Chabad, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, was born, in 1745.
Chai means life. It is also the number 18 in Hebrew.
Chassidim are known to say, “Chai Elul gives life to the month of Elul” and “that each of the 12 days from Chai Elul until Rosh Hashana represents fixing another month of the past year”.
Each day we get to think back to last year and try to rectify any mistakes from that month. Doing so breaths a new life into the month Elul, the month of closeness to G-d and introspection to foster a healthy relationship with G-d.
The work of the month of Elul is not just lip service, it's about making amends.
Perhaps, borrowing from the 12 step programs, at the beginning of the month we work on step 4, make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Then, from Chai Elul onward, we work on steps 8 and 9, make a list of all the people (and G-d) we had harmed and take steps to make amends with them wherever possible (except when to do so would injure them or others).
What do you think?
Kushi
P.s. for reference
18 Elul Today = Tishrei
19 Elul Friday = Cheshvan
20 Elul Shabbat = Kislev
21 Elul Sunday = Tevet
22 Elul Monday = Shevat
23 Elul Tuesday = Adar
24 Elul Wednesday = Nissan
25 Elul Thursday = Iyar
26 Elul Friday = Sivan
27 Elul Shabbat = Tammuz
28 Elul Sunday = Av
29 Elul Monday = Elul