B"H

Monday, Elul 1, 5781 / August 9, 2021

Today is Rosh Chodesh Elul – the first day of the month of Elul.

There are certain customs we practice during the month of Elul, which is the last month of the year. During the month of Elul we add an additional chapter of Psalms in the morning and afternoon prayers. Also, the Shofar is sounded each day of the month of Elul (except Shabbat & the last day of the month) after the morning service.

Q.    Why is the Shofar blown during the month of Elul?

A.    The Shofar serves as a wake-up call.  It reminds us of the significance of this month when G-d is close to us and more accessible than throughout the rest of the year.  The Shofar reminds us to repent and perform extra deeds of kindness and charity to prepare for Rosh Hashana.

Q.    What is the origin of the Shofar being blown during the month of Elul?  

A.   Unlike the Shofar blowing on Rosh Hashana, which is a Biblical (Torah) requirement, the sounding of the Shofar during this month is a Rabbinical tradition.

This is how it came about: At the conclusion of the forty days, when Moshe went up Mount Sinai to receive the Two Tablets, the people made the Golden Calf. When Moshe went up on Rosh Chodesh Elul to receive the second Tablets, the Shofar was blown each day to remind the people that Moshe was going to return at the end of forty days and they shouldn’t make the same mistake again.

Also, during the month of Elul we are careful to perform as many mitzvot as possible in order to maximize our merits before Rosh Hashana when we all come before G-d for judgment for the New Year. 

King Solomon in Proverbs gives us the following advice: "Go to the ant and see her wise ways. She prepares her bread in the summer and gathers her food during the harvest."

The Midrash explains: An ant is continuously gathering and storing food.  Although the ant lives a short period of time and does not consume too much food, yet it spends its entire life gathering and collecting food much more than it can consume during its own short lifetime. According to the Midrash, King Solomon is speaking to a person who is lazy in the performance of mitzvot. 

King Solomon emphasizes that we should never be satisfied with the amount of mitzvot we have done.  One should never say I have enough mitzvot!  One should try to perform as many mitzvot as one can during their lifetime.

This applies especially during the month of Elul, as we hope and pray that we and our loved ones will be granted a happy, healthy and successful New Year.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY,

 A WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH & SHANA TOVA