The High Holiday Season Begins

As we enter the Hebrew month of Elul this coming Monday and Tuesday, our tradition calls us to reflect and prepare. Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, is unique in the Jewish calendar. It is a time when we begin to turn inward, assessing our actions over the past year, and contemplating how we might realign ourselves with our highest values.

One of the central practices of Elul is the sounding of the shofar each morning, a tradition that stirs us from our spiritual slumber. The shofar’s call is a wake-up alarm for the soul, reminding us that the Days of Awe are approaching, and with them, the opportunity for renewal and transformation. As we hear its blast, we are prompted to ask ourselves: What do I need to change? How can I grow? Where have I fallen short, and how can I make amends?

Elul is also a time to seek forgiveness from those we may have wronged. In Judaism, repentance is not only about asking God for forgiveness but also about making peace with those around us. This is a season to repair relationships, to heal old wounds, and to approach others with humility and sincerity.

As we journey through Elul, let us take these weeks as a gift—an opportunity to prepare our hearts and minds for the High Holidays. May this time of introspection and action lead us toward a year of blessing, peace, and closeness to God.

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov!

Rabbi Bradley Tecktiel