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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

“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
if only / I had been less / devoted to worshiping / my unworthiness / allowing this spinning planet / be my trusted partner
yellow flower in field with sunlight
“may reflection, introspection and soul-searching / help us discover our sacred purpose”
a person stands on top of a cliff with arms outstretched looking out at a cloudy sky tinged with orange light

“As I arrive to this threshold, I am prepared to let go”

four people, two wearing kippot, stand at the edge of a body of water

Series of questions for contemplation during the month of Elul

a person's silhouette in the distance underneath an indigo sky with a setting sun

“What a time! / What a parashah!”

a person's silhouette looks off into the distance

“There are no kings / I trust, only ruakh”

a person faces a body of water, their hair blowing in the wind

“I sweep away flaked remnants of hope”

 
a Hebrew keyboard

“The King awaits, / Tangible / As the flowers / Of the field…”

a field of red flowers

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