THE MONTH OF ELUL
THE EMOR PROJECT GATEWAY TO MITZVA OBSERVANCE SERIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TESHUVA / REPENTANCE
TEKIAT SHOFAR / BLOWING THE SHOFAR
RECITING
L’DAVID HASHEM ORI / THE LORD IS MY LIGHT
TESHUVA / REPENTANCE
Elul is the Jewish month preceding the Yamim Nora’im (High Holidays).
On the first day of Elul, Moshe ascended Mount Sinai to receive the second set of luchot (tablets) from Hashem after the first set had been destroyed due to the sin of the golden calf. As a result, Elul is considered an auspicious time for seeking mercy from Hashem
Elul is often called the “month of mercy” and is a month of introspection, repentance, and striving for closeness with Hashem.
Many Chassidic sources mention that during Elul, “The King is in the field,” meaning that Hashem descends into this world to be closer to us than usual, waiting to hear our prayers.
TEKIAT SHOFAR / BLOWING THE SHOFAR
It is customary to blow the shofar every morning during Elul following the Shacharit prayer service.
The three blasts blown are called tekiah, shevarim, and teruah.
A tekiah is a long, sustained, and uninterrupted blast of the shofar. It is the simplest and longest of the three types of sounds.
The shevarim consists of three shorter blasts separated by pauses. The sound is broken or fragmented.
The teruah is a series of quick, staccato blasts, usually nine, with very short pauses between them.
During Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the shofar is blown in a specific sequence: Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah, Tekiah.
The Shofar is not blown on:
- Shabbat
- Day before Rosh HaShana (to differentiate between the mandatory shofar blowing on Rosh HaShana and the customary blowing during Elul.)
RECITING L’DAVID HASHEM ORI
Psalm 27 (L’David Hashem Ori) is recited twice daily, starting on the first day of Elul through Sukkot.
It is said once at the end of Shacharit and again at either Mincha or Ma’ariv, depending on the congregation's custom.
SELICHOT / PRAYERS FOR DIVINE FORGIVENESS
Selichot are a series of prayers recited during the period leading up to the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The term Selichot comes from the Hebrew word selicha (החילס), which means “forgiveness” or “pardon.”
These prayers emphasize humility and repentance, helping individuals reflect on their actions and seek Divine mercy. By reciting Selichot, Jews prepare to enter the Days of Awe with a renewed commitment to personal improvement and spiritual growth.
Sephardim begin reciting Selichot on the second day of Elul (this year, Thursday, September 5th), while Ashkenazim begin on the Sunday before Rosh HaShana (this year, Sunday, September 29th).
Selichot were traditionally recited early in the morning (before dawn), but they may also be recited later in the morning or after midnight the night before.
Ashkenazim often recite Selichot on the first day after midnight the night before, a few hours after Shabbat, while Sephardim recite Selichot at the same time on the first day as every other day (some recite it at night, while others during the day).
Selichot are usually recited together with the congregation, but many parts of the service may also be recited when praying alone.
There are several different customs concerning the text of the Selichot. Ashkenazim recite different Selichot each day, while Sephardim recite the same Selichot every day. In most cases, one should follow the local community custom.
The text of the Selichot can be accessed here (Lita version), here (Polin version), or here (Sephardic and Edot Ha’mizrach version).
For further details about Selichot, see or
ADDITIONAL ELUL PRACTICES
MEZUZOT
According to some opinions, one should check the mezuzot in one’s home during the month of Elul by bringing them to a certified scribe.
TZEDAKA
Some try to give extra tzedaka (charity) during Elul.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
PH.YHB.ORG