והסירה את שמלת שביה מעליה וישבה בביתך ובכתה את אביה ואת אמה ירח ימים ... (כא-יג)
Much has been written inn the Seforim Hakedoshim comparing these thirty days - "ירח ימים" - of "יפת תואר" to Chodesh Elul. The Ohr HaChayim HaKadosh among others, elaborates with inspiring words. Perhaps we can offer another machshava to help us properly utilize this very auspicious month. In the Navi Yeshaya, the posuk states, "אז תשמח בתולה במחול" - “Then, a maiden will rejoice in a dancing circle.” There’s a beautiful thought the Bnei Yissasschar quotes from the Rebbe, R’ Meilech of Lizhensk zt”l. As is known, the mazel of Elul is that of "בתולה". He explains that during this month we must be happy - not depressed or dejected. "אז תשמח בתולה" - be happy in the month of בתולה. Why? Because "במחול" - you’ll be granted מחילה! So while this month is a somber one - days of introspection - it must be accompanied with an enthusiasm to receive a clean slate. In fact, in the days of old, the baalei mussar would count each day as is done with ספירת העומר, cherishing each one. The emotions and fervor shown during ספירה should also be experienced each day of this special month.
Another machshava we can glean from יפת תואר is as follows: The Torah commands this person who “went out to war” that prior to marrying his captive, she is required to maintain an unkempt appearance for thirty days, so that each time he passes her he will note the stark dissimilarity between her and a real Bas Yisroel, specifically his אשת חיל. Perhaps the message for us is that we tend to get lost in the traps set for us by the יצר הרע, and we begin reveling in the gentile lifestyle. Hashem, in His infinite kindness, wishing to guide us back onto the path of “straight and narrow,” wants to contrast for thirty days the difference between the beauty of Yiddishkeit and the disgraceful way of life that others live - and hopefully ובחרת בחיים.
Klal Yisroel as a whole, and each of us individually, require so muchרחמי שמים . Let us all cry out in unity during these holy days of אני לדודי ודודי לי referring to tefillah, as the Kitzur Sh”A says, and may Hashem send us all our much needed salvation.