by Rabbi A. Rothman
The period from Rosh Chodesh Elul until after Yom Kippur is a time of Divine favour
("eis ratzon"). Although, HaShem accepts the repentance ("teshuvah") of those who return to
Him wholeheartedly, throughout the entire year, these days (between the 1st of Elul and Yom
Kippur) have been set aside for repentance, and are most conducive to it.
These days are special at this time because on Rosh Chodesh Elul, Moses came down from
Mount Sinai to receive the second set of Ten Commandments ("Luchos Sh'niyim") and spent
forty days there, descending on the tenth of Tishrei, which represented the final atonement for
the sin of the Golden Calf.
From that time onward, these days were set aside as days of favour, and the tenth of Tishrei as
Yom Kippur.
It is customary in many places to fast on the day preceding Rosh Chodesh Elul and follow the
order of prayer of "Yom Kippur Koton" to prepare one's heart to repent.
If Rosh Chodesh Elul falls on Shabbos, the optional fast is held on the preceding Thursday.
The Rabbis noted the following verse for which Elul is an acronym: "Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li"
("I am for my Beloved and my Beloved is for me";
Important Numbers
