In Brief
The Jewish new year, year 5780 to the creation, is just around the corner, yet the build- up lacks fireworks and champagne! In fact, Elul (the last month of the Hebrew year) opens up a period of trepidation. The Shofar's daily call reminds us to wake up, and to start our emotional and psychological preparation for Rosh Hashana, the New Year and Yom Kippur, the awesome Day of Judgement. This is a time for introspect, review of the past year and preparation for the year to come.
Themes
All the Jewish Festivals have some sort of historical or agricultural significance which date back to the Bible or Talmudic times. Yet Elul and the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) which follow, have spiritual significance alone.
Days of Conciliation
The month of Elul is the last of the months in the general Jewish calendar year. It
precedes the Days of Awe, commencing with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.
Thus the month is characterized by a somber mood reflecting what the rabbis have called
the Days of Reconciliation.
During the month of Elul, it is customary to make a special effort to improve relationships
with one's friends and acquaintances as a token of unbounded love, symbolized in the
Hebrew acronym of the first letters of the word ELUL. These letters spell out the Hebrew
verse from the Song of Songs (6:3): "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."
Days of Forgiveness
According to tradition, Rosh Chodesh Elul marks the day when Moses ascended the
mountain with the new Tablets of stone, having first pleaded for the grave sin of the
Israelites who had worshipped a golden calf in the desert. Divine mercy is offered,
and forty days later Moses descends the mount with the Second Tablets as a mark of
renewed Divine favor.
These 40 days, from Rosh Chodesh Elul until the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, have
thus been fixed for generations as days of repentance and forgiveness.
Prayers and Supplications
Thus, not only is an effort made to improve human relationships: With the approaching
Days of Awe, it is customary to set the mood of self-reflection that will culminate in days
of prayer and supplication.
This period is marked by the recitation of numerous selichot (penitential prayers) with
some people rising in the middle of the night throughout the month of Elul or, at least, the few
days preceding Rosh Hashanah, to pour out their hearts to Heaven.
