Sacred month of Elul to set tone for Jewish New Year
Just as the academic year begins for students across the country, the Jewish calendar year is winding down. September 1st marks the start of Elul, the final month of the Jewish year used to prepare for the High Holidays, the ten day period of celebration and repentance that set the tone for the year to come.
“It is a gift to have this time to focus,” said Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, Interfaith Center Board Member and Associate Professor at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. “Elul is a month of introspection and character analysis.”
Common practices during Elul help Jews tune in to the spirit of the season. Observers strive to make peace with those they may have wronged, and to make peace with themselves. This is a time to examine relationships, reflect on the past year, and begin the process of welcoming the new year.
“The work that we have to do can’t be done in just two days in synagogue,” said Fuchs-Kreimer. “That’s why we’re given a month to take time to do this.”
After Elul, the holy season starts with Rosh Hashanah (“Head of Year”) on September 29th. This two-day holiday marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of the world. It is also the beginning of the ten days of repentance, culminating in Yom Kippur.
“The work that we have to do can’t be done in just two days in synagogue, that’s why we’re given a month to take time to do this.”
Yom Kippur (“Day of Atonement”) is observed on October 9th and is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Jews conclude the process of asking for forgiveness of others to whom they have committed wrongs and forgive others who have caused them pain. Many people fast in order to put aside physical desires and concentrate on spiritual needs through prayer and reflection. Synagogue services are held throughout the entire day.
Transitioning to a more joyful time, Jews celebrate two other holidays in the new month of Tishrei. The festival of giving thanks, Sukkot, begins on October 14th. Sukkot, eight days reserved for honoring the fall harvest and commemorating the forty years of Jewish wandering in the dessert, is known as “Z’man Simchatenu,” the time of our joy.”
The final holiday during the fall sacred season is Simchat Torah, which marks the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle and the beginning of the new cycle. On the holiday, Torah scrolls are often taken from their home in the ark and danced around the synagogue to celebrate the notion that Torah study is a never-ending, lifelong practice.
It is believed that on Rosh Hashanah the destiny of all mankind is recorded by G-d in the Book of Life. On Yom Kippur the Book is closed and sealed. Those that have repented for their sins are granted a good and happy New Year.
In the spirit of the season, the Interfaith Center wishes all observing the High Holidays “L’shanah tovah tikatevu,” Hebrew for “May you be inscribed for a good year.”
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