Mendel Kaplan: We have to prepare the ground. We have to make ourselves moist; ready. We have to soften ourselves to be able to absorb the energy of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Mendel Kaplan: The root source of time and space is the concept of sequence, so first Hashem creates time ~ now, not before, and not after, which then evolves into space ~ here, not there, and not Somewhere else.

The concept of time is that there are times that Hashem will allow us to be Closer to Him and there are times when it is more difficult. He gave unique opportunities to utilize that time well. 

In the month of Elul, the King comes to mi habitat. It’s not a Yom Tov. It’s the mirror-image of a Yom Tov: Chodesh Elul is a royal encounter. Elul is a time of joy. It’s a time of rachamim.