The special connection between the Paschal offering and circumcision teaches that children’s education affects not only the children’s perfection but also the parents’ own Divine service and blessing. Just as entry into the covenant precedes eating the Paschal offering, a child must be brought into the covenant of Torah and mitzvot from the beginning of his education. Parents must remove alien values from their home and provide a complete Torah education, thereby protecting the entire household from spiritual danger.

Rabbi Akiva’s students were devoted Torah scholars, and precisely because each was deeply committed to his own path of Divine service, he regarded it as the complete path and sought to bring his fellow student to it. Their failing was that they did not give proper respect to another person’s approach. The lesson is that wholehearted service of G-d and love of one’s fellow Jew must coexist: one should influence others, but with respect, love, favorable judgment, and an effort to draw even those still distant from Torah and mitzvot closer.

The soul-accounting of Elul must be truthful, including faults, omissions, and also achievements that must be increased. Because a person can be biased in judging himself, he must examine his life by the light of Torah and with acceptance of G-d’s yoke—then “G-d is my light.” When trials obstruct action, a firm resolution draws G-d’s help—“and my salvation”—giving strength not to remain satisfied with the present but to grow each day. Chai Elul adds vitality to this service through love of G-d, Torah, and every Jew.