The month of Elul is strongly related with the image of HaMelech Basadeh, “the King is in the field". This teaching was introduced by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, evokes a powerful metaphor: In this month, God, the King, steps out of the palace, leaving behind the formality and distance of the throne, and comes into the field where the people are. The usual barriers that keep us from approaching royalty are gone. The King is accessible to all—no special appointment is needed. Elul is a time of divine closeness, an invitation for each of us to connect with God on an intimate, personal level, even if we feel unworthy.
This notion of God's accessibility in Elul is deeply intertwined with the idea of Avinu Malkenu—"Our Father, Our King." This prayer, recited during the High Holidays, captures two essential aspects of our relationship with God: that of a child to a loving parent, and that of a servant to a sovereign king. As Avinu, God is our compassionate father, nurturing us, forgiving our mistakes, and sustaining us like children at a parent’s table. This reflects the Talmudic teaching that “children must be sustained on their father’s table,” meaning that as God’s children, we receive blessings and kindness not because we earn them but because of God’s unconditional love for us.
Yet, Avinu Malkenu also reminds us that God is Malkenu—our King. Like servants at their master’s table, we are bound by obligation and duty. As King, God holds us accountable for our actions, and during this season of repentance, we must stand before God with humility and introspection. This dual relationship—one of love and responsibility—guides the spiritual work we are called to do in Elul. We seek forgiveness, but we also commit ourselves to change and growth.
As a child depends on their parent for sustenance, we rely on God’s mercy and compassion. In this sense, we approach God with the confidence of knowing we are loved and cared for, even when we fall short. We don’t have to earn this love; it is a natural extension of our connection with God as children of the divine.
At the same time, Malkenu—our King—reminds us that while we are sustained by God’s grace, we are also bound to live by a higher standard. Like servants who owe loyalty and obedience to their master, we are responsible for the choices we make, and those choices are judged during this season. As Rosh Hashanah approaches, the image of God as both Avinu and Malkenu guides us toward a balanced spiritual posture—one that holds both hope for mercy and recognition of accountability.
The Role of Avinu Malkenu in the High Holidays Liturgy
During the High Holidays, Avinu Malkenu becomes a central prayer, carrying the weight of our deepest pleas. We recite it with urgency, asking for life, health, sustenance, and forgiveness. These prayers are not just personal requests; they are collective petitions on behalf of the entire Jewish people. As we chant the words, “Our Father, our King, we have no King but You,” we remind ourselves that God is the source of all we need and the only one who can grant us mercy as both a compassionate father and a just king.
In Elul, when “the King is in the field,” we are given a unique opportunity to prepare for these moments. We can approach God with our hearts open, knowing that the Divine is near, ready to hear our prayers, and eager to accept our return. This dual image of God as both parent and ruler carries us through the sacred days ahead, helping us approach the High Holidays with the right balance of awe, love, and repentance.
May we all make the most of this time to reflect, return, and reconnect with our Avinu Malkenu, preparing ourselves to stand before God on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with full hearts, ready for the new year.
Watch a special performance of the Avinu Malkenu prayer: In 2013, American singer Barbra Streisand delivered a moving rendition of this prayer, in honor of Shimon Peres' 90th birthday, the 9th President of the State of Israel: