Elul The month of Elul is the beginning of the fall festivals. Starting with the month of Elul, Jewish tradition teaches that we begin our path of teshuvah or repentance. The entire month of the Hebrew month of Elul is a preparation for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and ultimately Yom Kippur. The very name of the month is an acronym for words from Song of Songs 6:3 “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li” ( I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine). The sages teach that this is describing the relationship between HASHEM and
Daily the shofar is blown, except on Shabbat. It is a reminder of the redemption from HASHEM. Special psalms are recited during Elul. Psalm 27 is recited twice daily in some Jewish homes and synagogues. The beginning, “The Lord is my Light and my Help; whom shall I fear?” awakens the spirit and inspires repentance and reverence. It also expresses our faith and trust in HASHEM, so we can enter the High Holy Days without fear but with trust in a favorable divine judgment. Also in the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah, special prayers called slichot are recited including the 13 Attributes of Mercy found in Exodus 34:6-7 Merciful God, merciful God, powerful God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth. Preserver of kindness for thousands of generations, forgiver of iniquity, willful sin and error, and Who cleanses.
One of the most important aspects of Elul is not only making peace with HASHEM, but making peace with one another. We can not assume HASHEM will forgive us for something we have done against someone else. That person is the one that we must go to, and admit our wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness. Then we can go before HASHEM and ask Him for forgiveness. Too many times we just think that we can ask HASHEM and not deal with anyone else. Why are we more afraid of going before a human and dealing with an issue than going before Almighty G-d? We should have more respect, awe, and fear of HASHEM than any human. Traditionally this is done on the day before Rosh Hashanah. Something also traditionally done is called “hatarat nedarim” or the annulment of vows and to grant forgiveness for any unfulfilled vows from the past year. We also begin to wish each other “shanah tovah” , which means a good (new) year.
During the month of Elul, many perform a daily cheshbon or spiritual accounting, where one steps back and looks at themselves critically and honestly. This can be a difficult task, but if you approach it as though you are doing it to improve yourself, it may make it easier. Some questions you might ask yourself are:
What have I accomplished this year?Did I accomplish what I intended?How am I going to improve next year?What are my strengths and weaknesses?What’s my profit this year? Look at all areas not just monetarily.What’s my loss this year?How far have I come in attaining my long term goals?What’s holding me back from growing?Are there relationships that need mending?Do I need to ask forgiveness of someone?Do I need to grant forgiveness to someone?Am I fulfilling the purpose G-d has given me?What is my spiritual life like?Are there improvements to be made in prayer, study, tzedakah(charity), and fulfilling of mitzvot? Of course these are just a few questions to help you get started. But “doing” teshuvah during the month of Elul is not just taking account of your life, in your closet and then doing nothing. It isn’t even just taking account then bringing it before G-d for forgiveness. It takes action. Teshuvah must be done, not just thought about. You must go to those you have or may have wronged, and make it right, you must take steps to improve not just give lip service. Then have the faith that HASHEM will do what He says He will do. Then next year when you reflect on the year, you will be amazed at the improvement you have made.
Each day should be like Elul, where we look back and take account of the day’s actions—where we did right or we did wrong—then make a plan to correct the mistakes tomorrow.