Elul and Selihot
Because of the
great somberness surrounding the Yamim Noraim (the High Holy Days)
an entire month was ordained as a preparatory period. A number of
customs and observances have been adopted for the month of Elul
to accentuate the theme of repentance. "Elul", has been
interpreted as an acronym, with its Hebrew letters "Aleph,"
"Lamed," "Vav," "Lamed" representing
the words "Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li" ("I am my Beloved's
and my Beloved is mine") (Song of Songs: 6:3). We interpret "my
Beloved" as G-d, and "I" as the Jewish People.
Beginning the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul (Sept. 5 this year)
and continuing until the day before Erev Rosh Hashana, it is customary
to blow the shofar every weekday with the four sounds that we are
accustomed to hearing on Rosh Hashana: Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah, and
a final Tekiah.
The background for this custom is based on the time when Moses went
up to Mt. Sinai the second time to receive the Ten Commandments and
the people of Israel blew the shofar in the camp. They blew the shofar
to remind themselves not to make the same mistake as they did the
first time when they worshipped the golden calf in Moshe's absence.
In later generations, Jews chose to remind themselves that their ancestors
had sinned with the golden calf but had repented and been forgiven
by God. The blowing of the shofar reminds us of the importance of
doing "teshuvah" (repentance). We begin in the month of
Elul, the month that precedes Tishrei and Rosh Hashana.
Another custom is the recitation of Psalm 27 at the conclusion of
the morning and evening services, beginning with the first day of
Elul and concluding on Hosha'na Rabbah. According to Rabbi Isaac Klein,
"This practice is based on a Midrash which interprets the first
verse of the psalm as follows: "'The Lord is my light' on Rosh
Hashana, 'my salvation' on Yom Kippur, 'whom shall I fear' on Hosha'na'
Rabbah" (Midrash Tehillim 27:4)."
Selihot, or penitential prayers, are recited before the morning service
during the month of Elul and between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
Sefardim begin reciting Selihot on the first day of Elul; the Ashkenazim,
on the Sunday before Rosh Hashana. According to Rabbi Isaac Klein,
"If Rosh Hashana falls on Tuesday or earlier in the week, the
recitation of Selihot begins on the Sunday morning of the preceding
week. We should have at least four days during which Selihot are recited.
One of the reasons for this is that a sacrificial offering in the
Temple was examined for four days for defects or blemishes that would
disqualify it from being sacrificed. Man should consider himself to
be like a sacrificial offering on Rosh Hashana and hence needs four
days for self-examination."
For more information on the laws and customs of the Days of Awe, see
Rabbi Isaac Klein's Guide to Religious Jewish Practice: http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/diduknow/jrpguide/
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Rosh Hashana
Rosh
Hashana begins this year on Monday evening, Oct. 3 and continues
through
October 5. Since the holidays are "late" this year,
we have an extra month to prepare spiritually, physically and
emotionally for the Yamim Noraim. |
 |
There are many sites to help you with preparations for the High Holy
Days. You can begin with a comprehensive list on Jacob Richman's hot
sites (which includes web sites in English, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish,
French, Italian, Portuguese and German):
http://www.jr.co.il/hotsites/j-hdayrh.htm
Rosh Hashana at the Jewish Theological Seminary website includes
commentaries on Rosh Hashana, music for the holiday, greeting cards,
children's activities and more: http://learn.jtsa.edu/roshhashanah/
Everything you need to know about the shofar and shofar blowing can
be found on the Shofar Sounders webpage: http://www.geocities.com/afinkle221/
The Holiday spot is also a good resource--you can celebrate the Jewish
New year with greetings and learn history, recipes, customs and traditions,
prayers, and more: http://www.theholidayspot.com/rosh_hashana/
The Pedagogic Center of the Department of Jewish Zionist Education
has a comprehensive section called "Tishrei Links" which
gives an excellent overview of many websites connected to the Tishrei
holidays. It can also be found in English, French, Hebrew, Spanish,
German, Russian, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch. You can also download
a Rosh Hashana Seder!: http://www.jajz-ed.org.il/festivls/tish/index.html
On the WZO site, one can learn "Neat Customs of Rosh Hashana"
including tashlich and specific foods for the holidays. You can also
learn why you shouldn't nap on Rosh Hashana: "If one sleeps at
the year's beginning (Rosh Hashana), his good fortune likewise sleeps."
(Jerusalem Talmud): http://www.jajz-ed.org.il/festivls/tish/index.html
Looking for a Hebrew calendar for your computer complete with Torah
readings, Jewish holidays, etc.? Available at "Calendarmaven":
http://www.calendarmaven.com/
Want to play some trivia with your family and friends or perhaps
teach your children Jewish songs for the holiday? Go to: http://www.j.co.il
Looking for fun and games for tots? You can find jigsaw puzzles,
coloring pages etc. http://www.torahtots.com/holidays/rosh/rosh.htm
Shana Tova U'metuka!
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