Month of Elul

Each year as summer fades into fall, Jewish tradition invites us to turn inward. The month of Elul precedes the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We dedicate this time to preparing ourselves for the holidays so that we can experience them as fully as possible. During Elul we are asked to look into ourselves. We think about who we are and who we want to be. Whose forgiveness do we need in order for us to enter a new year with a clean slate? Judaism offers help for this period of introspection in several ways: The shofar sounds daily, awakening us from complacency; later in the month, prayers of repentance—selikhot—are added to the daily liturgy. Perhaps most important, during Elul, we can support each other through the process of requesting and offering forgiveness with full and open hearts. 

Latest Rituals

An Elul 5783 teaching by Rabbi Janet Madden
Ritualwell Tradition & Innovation logo placeholder
Ritualwell Tradition & Innovation logo placeholder
“How do you steer this thing? / Which end is helm and which is the stern?”
small yellow boat
“The Mystery shines light and strength on my life”
clouds mountains and green field with flowers
“My dear, there are no keys to the palace”
light brown skinned woman with curly dark hair dressed in gauzy gown looking contemplative in halo-like crown with hair pinned up and curls coming down in field with tree and sunlight
“May the seeds of this year / Be planted”
closeup of white hand holding seed packet pouring seeds into garden container near soil
yellow flower in field with sunlight

The Reconstructionist Network

Get the latest from Ritualwell

Subscribe for the latest rituals, online learning opportunities, and unique Judaica finds from our store.