The assimilated Jew and the month of Elul

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It was the month of Elul, and the Ba`al Shem Tov hesitated before the evening prayers.

He had a serious look on his face.

His Chasidim patiently waited for him to begin.

When he finally smiled, and the prayers were recited, he turned to his congregation and explained the reason for the delay.

Rabbi Noam Himelstein studied in Yeshivat Har Etzion and served in the Tanks Corps of the IDF.

He has taught in yeshiva high schools, post-high school women’s seminaries, and headed the Torah MiTzion Kollel in Melbourne, Australia. He currently teaches at Yeshivat Orayta in Jerusalem, and lives with his wife and six children in Neve Daniel, Gush Etzion.