by Rabbi Simon Benzaquen
We are now in the month of Elul, the last month of the Jewish calendar. It begins a period of intensive introspection, to clarify life’s goals, and to come closer to G-d. It is a time when we step back and look at ourselves critically and honestly, with the intention of improving.
The four Hebrew letters of the word Elul (aleph-lamed-vav-lamed) are the first letters of the four words Ani l’edodi v’edodi li — “I am to my Beloved and my Beloved is to me” (Song of Songs 6:3). These words sum up the relationship between G-d and His people. In other words, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah is a time when G-d reaches out to us in an effort to create a more spiritually-inspiring atmosphere, one that stimulates Teshuva (repentance). It is a time for us to take advantage, and get closer to G-d, since He, as it were, has put Himself in a situation of closeness with us and desires our presence in any way that we acknowledge Him, and especially when it brings credit to Him.
40-DAY PERIOD
Over 3000 years ago, when the Jewish people were privileged to hear G-d utter the Ten Commandments set in tablets of stone, the Jews later sinned with the Golden Calf. Moshe desperately pleaded with G-d to spare the nation. He did, and that same day that G-d spared the Nation, it became a “Day of Forgiveness” - “Yom Kippur”.
On the first day of Elul, Moshe ascended Mt. Sinai, and 40 days later — on the seminal Yom Kippur — he returned to the people (Jews) with a new, second set of stone tablets in hand.
For us as well the month of Elul begins a 40-day period that culminates in the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur. During this period, many people increase their study of Torah and performance of good deeds.
Selihot
We Sefaradim begin reciting Selihot from the first day of the month of Elul onward until Yom Kippur. Selihot is a special series of beautiful prayers that invoke G-d’s mercy. These prayers began Monday Aug 17th, and in most Congregations, including Magain David, Selihot are recited early in the morning, before Shaharit.
After the sin of the Golden Calf Moses asked G-d to explain His system for relating to the world. G-d’s answer, known as the “13 Attributes of Mercy,” forms the essence of the Selihot prayers.
The “13 Attributes” speak of G-d’s patience. The same G-d who created us with a clean slate and a world of opportunity, gives us another chance if we’ve misused the first one.
Selihot should be said with a minyan. If this is impossible, then it should still be said alone, omitting the parts in Aramaic and the “13 Attributes of Mercy”.
Selihot are held every Sunday and weekday morning at 5:30am.
We are now in the month of Elul, the last month of the Jewish calendar. It begins a period of intensive introspection, to clarify life’s goals, and to come closer to G-d. It is a time when we step back and look at ourselves critically and honestly, with the intention of improving.
The four Hebrew letters of the word Elul (aleph-lamed-vav-lamed) are the first letters of the four words Ani l’edodi v’edodi li — “I am to my Beloved and my Beloved is to me” (Song of Songs 6:3). These words sum up the relationship between G-d and His people. In other words, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah is a time when G-d reaches out to us in an effort to create a more spiritually-inspiring atmosphere, one that stimulates Teshuva (repentance). It is a time for us to take advantage, and get closer to G-d, since He, as it were, has put Himself in a situation of closeness with us and desires our presence in any way that we acknowledge Him, and especially when it brings credit to Him.
40-DAY PERIOD
Over 3000 years ago, when the Jewish people were privileged to hear G-d utter the Ten Commandments set in tablets of stone, the Jews later sinned with the Golden Calf. Moshe desperately pleaded with G-d to spare the nation. He did, and that same day that G-d spared the Nation, it became a “Day of Forgiveness” - “Yom Kippur”.
On the first day of Elul, Moshe ascended Mt. Sinai, and 40 days later — on the seminal Yom Kippur — he returned to the people (Jews) with a new, second set of stone tablets in hand.
For us as well the month of Elul begins a 40-day period that culminates in the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur. During this period, many people increase their study of Torah and performance of good deeds.
Selihot
We Sefaradim begin reciting Selihot from the first day of the month of Elul onward until Yom Kippur. Selihot is a special series of beautiful prayers that invoke G-d’s mercy. These prayers began Monday Aug 17th, and in most Congregations, including Magain David, Selihot are recited early in the morning, before Shaharit.
After the sin of the Golden Calf Moses asked G-d to explain His system for relating to the world. G-d’s answer, known as the “13 Attributes of Mercy,” forms the essence of the Selihot prayers.
The “13 Attributes” speak of G-d’s patience. The same G-d who created us with a clean slate and a world of opportunity, gives us another chance if we’ve misused the first one.
Selihot should be said with a minyan. If this is impossible, then it should still be said alone, omitting the parts in Aramaic and the “13 Attributes of Mercy”.
Selihot are held every Sunday and weekday morning at 5:30am.
RSS Feed
