News and updates about Elul

Personal Growth series:

We got it

We possess all the resources we truly need within ourselves. Our growth and our mission in this world are squarely within our grasp.

We got it

For Rosh Chodesh Elul: What are you here for?

"What am I here for?" is a question that every Jew should ask themselves every day and every year, and reinforced during the month of Elul, and even more so on Rosh Chodesh Elul 2024.

For Rosh Chodesh Elul:  What are you here for?

Re'eh:

Yearning for the Temple Mount and searching for it

Parshas Re’eh is the Shabbos that blesses the month of Elul. The sublime revelation of the Yomim Noraim is like being in the presence of Hashem in the Beis Hamikdash.

Yearning for the Temple Mount and searching for it

I am my Beloved’s and My Beloved is Mine

The Sara Litton z”l Monthly Emunah Essay.

I am my Beloved’s and My Beloved is Mine

Ki Tavo: Two desires

What does it mean, did I not really want what I thought I wanted?

Ki Tavo: Two desires

The Daily Portion: A message for Elul from King David

King David, too, experienced numerous troubles throughout his life.

The Daily Portion: A message for Elul from King David

Less than a month to Yom Kippur

Are you prepared? Are you ready?

Less than a month to Yom Kippur

An Elul Insight: Explaining away anger and arrogance

What is the cause of two traits that we see so often and must try to overcome?

An Elul Insight: Explaining away anger and arrogance

Elements of this week's Torah portion, haftarah, and Elul

This Torah portion lists more mitzvot than any other parasha, 77 out of the 613 total mitzvot that are included in the Torah.

Elements of this week's Torah portion, haftarah, and Elul

Elul: We can have hope in the future!

What the line "have hope in Hashem" in the last verse of the psalm we say during this period means.

Elul: We can have hope in the future!

Elul: The purpose of the Shofar In our times

Take the time in Elul to contemplate the messages in the Rosh Hashanah Amidah will make this entire month and season more meaningful.

Elul: The purpose of the Shofar In our times

The Daily Portion / Five elements of Rosh Chodesh Elul

This month is identified with a desire for self-improvement and change. The shofar blown each morning is a wakeup call.

The Daily Portion / Five elements of Rosh Chodesh Elul

Messages for the Month of Elul

These are the calls of Elul, Rosh Hashana, and Yom Kippur - awaken to your responsibilities, as the Rambam writes (Tshuva chapter 3).

Messages for the Month of Elul

Rules against bringing Torah scrolls to be enforced at Kotel

Western Wall heritage foundation calls on all parties to obey the rules at the holy site on Rosh Chodesh Elul.

Rules against bringing Torah scrolls to be enforced at Kotel

The Daily Portion / Renew yourself!

In which areas of life -- during this blessed time -- has our potential yet to be fulfilled?

The Daily Portion / Renew yourself!

Something that draws me upward

It is the month of Elul, and it is time. For our spirits to soar upward. For our feet to remember in which direction they wish to walk.

Something that draws me upward

I'm afraid to walk to shul in NYC

In Elul, our biggest concerns should be goiing back to school, menus and guest lists, not fear and hiding a Star of David necklace. Op-ed.

I'm afraid to walk to shul in NYC

Chaos Erupts after 4-Year-Old Faints In Class

The boy was rushed to the hospital to receive tests, and it was determined that he is suffering from cancer.

Chaos Erupts after 4-Year-Old Faints In Class

Elul: A month of refuge

Every Jew has a safe space to which they can retreat. A Rosh Chodesh essay for the month of mercy and forgiveness.

Elul: A month of refuge

Elul is here- are you missing the point?

The mourning required during Tammuz and Av was for the physical exile and will end through a physical act of return.

Elul is here- are you missing the point?

'I am for my beloved'

Three mnemonics filled with messages for the word Elul.

'I am for my beloved'

Dazzled by the night

In our personal lives, the broken and the potential for wholeness exist together.Will we be dazzled by the promise or blinded by the dark?

Dazzled by the night

Elul: Entering and exiting

Here we are again, not having met our past aspirations. What can we do to be more successful in the coming year?

Elul: Entering and exiting

Gimmel Elul: Rabbi Kook and our longings for Jerusalem

Israel's third president told a story about Rav Kook that is especially appropriate on his yahrzeit.

Gimmel Elul: Rabbi Kook and our longings for Jerusalem

For Rabbi Kook's yahrzeit: “WAZE” to the Torah of Eretz Yisrael

Elul 3 is the yahrzeit of the Torah Luminary who is the source of the ethos of Religious Zionism. Who was he? Who was his son?

For Rabbi Kook's yahrzeit: “WAZE” to the Torah of Eretz Yisrael

Weekly Tanya video\lecture: The Epistle on Repentance

Rosh Chodesh Elul is the beginning of the month of mercy and forgiveness leading up to the High Holydays.

Weekly Tanya video\lecture: The Epistle on Repentance

The messages of Torah for a world gone mad

Welcoming the month of Elul: You were always on my mind.

The messages of Torah for a world gone mad

Mon amie la Rose

In the very fragility of life lies the mystery, the wonder, the hope, the light.

Mon amie la Rose

To grab time by ts hair and shake it: 20 years to the Intifada

Poetry and Prayer at a time of divine concealment when our very souls pleaded:: Hear O Lord - Israel Your people, Israel is one!.

To grab time by ts hair and shake it: 20 years to the Intifada

30 capsules, 2,000 people

This is what the traditional Selichot prayers at the Western Wall look like during the coronavirus pandemic.

30 capsules, 2,000 people

Ask the Rabbi: Where did the term 'wandering Jew' originate?

Short topics in Judaism: Wandering Jew, Pirkei Avot, Elul

Ask the Rabbi: Where did the term 'wandering Jew' originate?

The Daily Portion / What should we do?

Perhaps Elul should signal a new direction for us to take, especially for this coming year.

The Daily Portion / What should we do?

Rosh Chodesh Elul: Hashem is my Light and Salvation

Beginning Friday, we will say Psalm 27 each day until Hoshana Rabba. This year it will have special meaning.

Rosh Chodesh Elul: Hashem is my Light and Salvation

All on one foot

The message behind a famous story, ethics vs. morals and a word about the month of Elul on our doorstep.

All on one foot

Depending on faith

The text in the Torah portion of Re’Eh begins with words that in their striking difference teaches us much of our journey in this world

Depending on faith

Listen: Mitzpe Yericho yeshiva's new pre-High Holiday single

In honor of month of Elul, yeshiva releases song: "Hear our voice." Words taken from Shmona Esrei prayer, music by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach.

Listen: Mitzpe Yericho yeshiva's new pre-High Holiday single

Listen: Yishai Ribo's latest about month before High Holidays

Israeli singer's new album includes songs with a pre-High Holiday vibe, including the titular song of the album: Elul Tsha"t.

Listen: Yishai Ribo's latest about month before High Holidays

The days of Elul: How to take advantage of life’s opportunity

We all want different things in life, but at the root of all of is one thing: Peace of mind.

The days of Elul: How to take advantage of life’s opportunity

Forgiving G-d

Forgiving G-d

1,000 visit grave of Biblical Prophet Joshua

Worshipers from all over Israel as well as the US and Canada pray at graves of biblical leaders of ancient Israel in Samaria.

1,000 visit grave of Biblical Prophet Joshua

Stolen clock returned 28 years later

An elderly man returned clock to furniture store which he said he stole 28 years ago. He asked for "forgiveness and atonement" for his act.

Stolen clock returned 28 years later

Do Slichot tours need to ask for forgiveness?:

Residents of the Old City of Jerusalem can't sleep for an entire month. They find it unforgivable.

Do Slichot tours need to ask for forgiveness?:

You're wasting your time, tears!

You're wasting your time, tears!

'Women of the Wall' step up activities ahead of High Holidays

Women of the Wall are holding a shofar-blowing seminar to teach "women and girls to experience their Judaism without intermediaries."

'Women of the Wall' step up activities ahead of High Holidays

Watch: Thousands at the Kotel for First Night of Selichot

Sights and sounds: Worshipers flock to Western Wall for first night of penitential prayers leading up to High Holy Days.

Watch: Thousands at the Kotel for First Night of Selichot

Smooth Sailing into the New Year

Smooth Sailing into the New Year

Quarreling Brothers Unite Again in Kalfa-Elbaz Elul Music Video

Friendship prevails in the latest viral video from Naftali Kalfa, this time guest starring Israeli sensation Gad Elbaz.

Quarreling Brothers Unite Again in Kalfa-Elbaz Elul Music Video

Rosh Hashanah, The Jewish New Year, Begins Wednesday Night

The two day New Year Holiday begins tonight and Shabbat Shuva makes it a three day continuum. Arutz Sheva wishes you a good and sweet year.

Rosh Hashanah, The Jewish New Year, Begins Wednesday Night

Global Shofar FlashMob Held Around the World

Jews around the world gathered on Sunday for first-ever global Shofar FlashMob, a two-minute shofar blowing and call for repentance.

Global Shofar FlashMob Held Around the World

Enter Elul, Month of Penitence

The Hebrew year has entered its final month, Elul: a period of soul-searching, penitence and renewal.

Enter Elul, Month of Penitence