The Month of Elul: A Time for Reflection and Forgiveness

As the Jewish year moves toward its most meaningful days, the month of Elul arrives as a time of preparation, reflection, and closeness to Hashem. It is a quiet yet powerful month that invites us to pause, look inward, and begin the process of spiritual return.

Elul in the Hebrew Calendar

Elul is the twelfth month of the Hebrew calendar when counting from Tishrei, and the sixth month when counting from Nissan. It is always a short month, consisting of only twenty nine days.

The Origin and Meaning of the Name Elul

The name Elul, like the names of many Hebrew months, comes from the Babylonian exile. It is derived from the Akkadian word “ululu,” which means harvest. In the agricultural cycle, Elul marks the end of summer and is known as the month of figs.

Another possible source of the name comes from the Aramaic word “alal,” meaning to search. This meaning appears in the Targum Onkelos on the verse “You are spies” (Genesis 42:14). This interpretation reflects the spiritual nature of Elul as a time for self examination, repentance, and inner searching.

The name Elul first appears in the Bible in the Book of Nehemiah (6:15). In the Ethiopian Jewish community, the month is known as Lul. Its zodiac sign is Virgo.

Elul and Closeness to Hashem

The sages found a meaningful hint to the essence of Elul in the verse “Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li” from Song of Songs (6:3), meaning “I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me.” The first letters of these words spell the name Elul, teaching that during this month, Hashem is especially close to the Jewish people, like a beloved drawing near.

Each of the four words in the verse ends with the letter 'yud'. The numerical value of four yuds is forty, corresponding to the forty days Moses spent on Mount Sinai receiving the Torah.

The Month of Mercy and Forgiveness

Elul is often called the Month of Mercy and Forgiveness because it leads directly into Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. During this time, many people rise early to recite special prayers known as Selichot, asking for forgiveness and mercy.

According to tradition, after the first tablets were broken, Moses ascended Mount Sinai again at the beginning of Elul to receive the second tablets. He descended forty days later on Yom Kippur, a day forever associated with forgiveness and atonement.

In Hasidic thought, Elul is described with the phrase “The King is in the field.” Unlike the rest of the year, when the King is in the palace, during Elul Hashem is portrayed as being accessible and close to everyone, welcoming all who approach Him.

Customs of Elul

In Ashkenazi communities, it is customary to blow the shofar each morning from the beginning of Elul until the eve of Rosh Hashanah. This is done before reciting “LeDavid Hashem Ori V’Yishi” during the Shacharit prayer. Some follow the order of Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah, Tekiah, while others blow the series of Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah, followed by Tekiah, Shevarim, Tekiah, and Tekiah, Teruah, Tekiah.

The sound of the shofar serves as a spiritual wake up call, reminding us to prepare ourselves for the Days of Judgment.

A Month of Gentle Awakening

Elul is not a month of dramatic events, but of quiet awakening. Through reflection, prayer, and small steps of change, it prepares us for the holiness of the days ahead. By recognizing the closeness of Hashem during this time, Elul offers each person the opportunity to begin again, with sincerity, humility, and hope.