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Why would G-d's love be symbolized by Elul, when He's "dragging us into court" for judgment? The shiur develops that justice itself is G-d's greatest kindness - He voluntarily restricts His absolute ownership to give us due process and the chance to earn our existence rather than live as parasites.
Rabbi Zweig explores the paradox of Elul being described as "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li" (I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me) when we're approaching judgment. He begins by analyzing the word "dodi" (beloved), noting its first usage in Shir HaShirim means "caress." Unlike "ohev" (lover), "dodi" implies not just love but feeling loved - being caressed by that love. The word is even a palindrome, suggesting reciprocity. Using the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s three levels of love (mutually beneficial, secure/at rest, and growth-oriented), Rabbi Zweig explains that "dodi" represents the security level where one truly feels beloved. Many relationships have love without the beloved feeling loved - parents love children who don't feel it, spouses say they love but don't communicate it effectively.
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Shir HaShirim - Ani l'dodi v'dodi li
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