the month of Elul begins August 14th, 2026

The final month of the Jewish year is called Elul (eh-LOOL). It leads directly into Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), which takes place on the first day of the month of Tishrei (the anniversary of the creation of man). Elul is a month of preparation and repentance before the autumn holidays, and each day of it is meant to be experienced as meaningful and worthy of serious attention. Just as a bride prepares herself for her groom, so too the people of Israel are preparing for the arrival of our Bridegroom. In Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs), we find the Hebrew phrase “Ani Le-dodi Ve-dodi Li” (“I belong to my Beloved, and my Beloved belongs to me” - 6:3). The first letters of this phrase spell out the word E-L-U-L.

As the next month (Tishrei) begins, Rosh Hashanah ushers in the High Holy Days, a series of festivals and days of worship which mark the holiest part of the Jewish year.

Rosh Hashanah is also known as the Day of Judgment, when according to tradition, all creatures are judged for their deeds, and are appointed for life or for death in the coming year. Ten days later, on the 10th of Tishrei, is Yom Kippur, the ‘Day of Atonement’, when Israel’s sins are cleansed and erased each year, and we rest in G-d’s grace and mercy. Five days after that, on the 15th of Tishrei, is the seven-day festival of Sukkos (meaning ‘Shelters’), customarily called “the season of our rejoicing”.

The entire month of Elul is a preparation for these times of holiness.

It is fitting, therefore, that the preparatory month of Elul should focus on repentance: abandoning our sins and turning back to our true selves, moving toward where we ought to be. Elul is therefore known as a month of Teshuvah (repentance, returning).

Teshuvah is more than a change of mind. It is a return, a restoration. In physical terms, it is turning around on the path where you are, and walking back to where you made a wrong turn.

Teshuvah does not have to be – indeed, it should not be – associated with sadness or gloominess. “Teshuvah does not come to make life bitter but rather to make it pleasant.” (Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook). Bitterness and gloom are the result of sin and the hardening of one's heart, not the result of turning away from sin. Sin is not our natural state, not the one for which we were created. Sin makes us depressed and sorrowful; repentance does not. The wonderful experience of teshuvah is one where we are restored to our true and proper state, where we come back to who we really are. Through G-d's mercy, teshuvah brings us to happiness and joy: the joy of the High Holy Days season.

He is our G-d, and we are the people of His tending, the flock under His Hand, today – if you will hearken to His voice. Do not harden your hearts…

Psalm 95

The Messiah will come 'Today', if you will hearken to His voice.

Sanhedrin 98a

Therefore, exhort one another [toward obedience] each and every day, while it is still called 'Today', so that none of‭ you‭ will be hardened‭‭ through the deceitfulness of sin‭.‭

Letter to the Hebrews 3:11