Tikkun Elul

Shavua Tov! It's the 29th of Elul, the final day of Tikkun HaChodeshim 5775!

We've been counting down the months from last Tishrei until this Elul in preparation for Rosh HaShanah 5776. Tikkun Elul is all about "Fixing Discernment". Elul is the month associated with Virgo, and the function of Virgo is that of "borer", separation of what is useful from what no longer serves a purpose.

In Elul we refine our discernment, and the morning Shofar call is meant to be an auditory attunement of our souls. Without the right attunement, we go "off key", and that manifests itself in a critical spirit and punishing perfectionism. 

"Attunement" is very close to "Atonement" - the way to atone for being out of tune is to deeply, profoundly integrate the reality that nobody and nothing is "perfect". Fixing the distortions of context and perspective heals discernment, and healthy discernment becomes wisdom.