Things To Do During Month of Elul

History, Laws and Customs of the Month of Elul by Rabbi Aryeh Citron with sources and notes by Rabbi Levi Silman 

Elul acts as a bridge between the holidays of the spring and summer, Pesach and Shavuot, and the autumn holidays, the Days of Awe and Sukkot. The holidays of Pesach and Shavuot are days in which we experience G-d’s kind beneficence (almost) regardless of our spiritual readiness. In order to properly experience the latter days, on the other hand, one must prepare themselves with intense soul- searching and spiritual devotion. Elul similarly contains both the aspects of our search for G-dliness and G-d’s commensurate revelation to us.

It is therefore fitting that this week’s Torah portion contains a brief review of the major holidays; Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot. 

It’s Never Too Early for Teshuvah

G-d in His kindness granted us this month which is propitious for Teshuva – repentance—to enable us to enter the new year in a state of purity.

The forty days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur were the days that Moshe was on Mt. Sinai for the third time in order to receive the second set of Luchot (tablets). This was considered an et razon, a propitious time, during which G-d was favorably inclined towards the Jewish people. 

It therefore remains an et ratzon for all times. This means both that G-d is favorably inclined towards us and that we are more naturally inclined to sincerely serving Him at this time.

960 Hours

The number of hours from the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur is 960. This is the minimum amount of Lugin (liquid measurement that equals approximately one liter of water) that is necessary when making a kosher Mikvah.  This is also the number that is needed, according to the Jerusalem Talmud, in order to nullify a complete creature (beryah).  Just as a ritually impure person emerges cleansed by immersing in a Mikvah, so too when a person “immerses himself” in the service of G-d unique to this propitious time, he will emerge as new being that is nullified to G-d.

Thus we see that one should not postpone doing Teshuvah until late into this month. Every hour of this month is special and should be utilized fully.

When to Begin?

It is important to begin preparations for the new year early. Here are some dates which are considered appropriate to begin.

• Rosh Chodesh Elul. This is 40 days before Yom Kippur which is also considered to be a judgment day.
• Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, a day that one can do the first level of Teshuvah and begin the higher level Teshuvah in Elul itself.
• Shabbat Mevorchim Elul. The Previous Rebbe remarked that on this day in the town of Lubavitch the “teshuvah wind” would already blow.
• The 20th of Av. This day is 40 days before Rosh HaShana. Just as much of the future of a child is determined forty days before it is formed, so too much of how we will be spiritually ready for Rosh HaShana is determined on the Twentieth of Av . 
• The 15th of Av. This is 40 days before the 25th of Elul which was the first day of creation. Some begin wishing others a good year from this time.
• The 17th of Tammuz. On this day Moses broke the Luchot (tablets). Thus began the repentance process which culminated in Moshe ascending the mountain on Rosh Chodesh Elul to receive the second set of Luchot.

The Very First Elul

According to Rabbi Eliezer, G-d began creating the world on the 25th of Elul. His decision to do so was based on his knowledge of the pleasure he would get from the actions of His (future) creations. In other words, G-d “advanced” us our lives based on our future “returns” to Him.

Similarly, in every Elul, G-d is willing to grant us blessings of goodness and salvation even if we have not behaved in a manner that is fully deserving of these. We are, however, committed to serve him in the future. Based on His knowledge that when we receive these blessings we will fulfill our commitments, G-d grants us the blessings in advance.

During the month of Elul, it is customary to:

 

• Blow the Shofar

 

• • • This commemorates Moshe’s ascent to the mountain which was accompanied by a Shofar blast.
    • Some have the custom to begin blowing on the first day of Rosh Chodesh while some begin on the second day of Rosh Chodesh. This is due to the differing opinions as to when Moshe ascended the mountain (see above). The Chabad custom is that the shofar blower (Ba’al Toke’ah) begins practicing to blow on the first day whereas the public blowing does not begin until the second day. 
    • In addition, the purpose of the Shofar blowing is to inspire the people to do Teshuva as the Days of Awe approach.
    • Sefardic custom is to blow the Shofar during Selichot which they begin on the second day of Elul.
    • Some have the custom of blowing just four notes; Tekiah, shevarim,teruah and tekiah. This is generally the Ashkenazi custom. The Chabad and Sefardic custom is to blow ten notes: the above-mentioned, plus tekiah, shvarim, tekiah, tekiah, teruah, and tekia. 
    • Some have a custom that, if for some reason, they did not blow the shofar after Shacharit they do so after Mincha.

 

• Recite Psalm 27 during the morning and afternoon prayers. This inspiring Psalm contains allusions to the days of Elul, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukot. 

 

• • • It is recited in Shacharit after the song of the day. 
    • It is also recited at the end of the day. Some recite it after mincha (Chabad custom), while some recite it after ma’ariv. 
    • One who usually recites this chapter before Aleinu (as is the Chabad minhag) and is davening in a minyan in which it is recited after Aleinu should say it together with the minyan.
    • (If you daven with a minyan that does it differently, you should follow the minyan. Igros Kodesh vol 19. P 430)

 

• Say additional Psalms

 

• • • Some say 10 extra psalms a day.
    • Chabad custom (based on a tradition of the Ba’al Shem Tov) is to add three Psalms a day. Additional Psalms are recited on Yom Kippur in order to complete the Book of Psalms.

 

• Say Selichot

 

• • Sefardim say Selichot during the entire month of Elul (with the exception of Rosh Chodesh and Shabbat).
  • Ashkenazim say Selichot for the week preceding Rosh HaShana. If Rosh HaShana falls on Wednesday or later in the week. If Rosh HaShana falls earlier in the week, Selichot are recited from the previous Motzai Shabbat.

In Addition, Elul Is a Good Time for:

 

• Checking One’s Mezuzot and Tefillin
  Although by the letter of the law, tefillin (purchased from a G-d-fearing expert scribe) that are worn on a regular basis need not be checked at all, and mezuzot need only be checked every three and a half years, it is a pious custom for one to check their tefillin and mezuzot in this month.
  
  According to the Midrash, the battle of Sichon and Og took place in the month of Elul. They were the protectors of the Canaanites who were then native to Israel. Thus, they were like an evil Mezuzah protecting the entrance to the land Of Israel. Moshe and the Jewish people conquered them in the month of Elul and replaced them with two and a half tribes who represented a kosher Mezuzah to the land of Israel.
  
  The month of Elul is like the doorway towards teshuvah and the gateway to the New Year. Thus, it is a propitious time to check one’s (Tefillin and) Mezuzot.

 

• Introspection of one’s deeds of the past year and resolution to strengthen the positive and correct the negative.

• Inspiring people to do Teshuva.

 

 

• • • In some communities the Rabbi shares thoughts that inspire to teshuva between Mincha and Ma’ariv of this month.
    • In some communities the Gabbai (sexton of the shul) would call out (at the beginning of the month of Elul), “Return, wayward sons.”
    • Care should be taken by the speakers not to speak negatively about the Jewish people. Only positive and uplifting messages should be shared.

 

• Additional Torah study, especially in the inspiring aspects of the Torah such as Midrash, Kabbalah, Chasidut, and Musar.  In particular, it is recommended to learn Igeret HaTeshuvah (the third section of Tanya) and Derech Chayim by the second Lubavitcher Rebbe.

 

• Have a positive influence on friends. 

• One should publicize that it is a time for everyone to leave their bad habits and flee to the City of Refuge – the Torah. In this way he can rectify everything. One must first do teshuva out of fear and then out of love. This will bring a blessing for a good year.

• Performing mitzvot in the best possible way (behidur).

• Praying with extra devotion.

• Adding in charitable acts (tzedakah).

Good Year Wishes

When writing letters during the month of Elul, it is customary to finish the letter by wishing one’s fellow that he be inscribed and sealed for a good year. Some add this greeting from the Fifteenth of Av.

 

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Halacha Elul 79 updated