1. The Mood of the Month

[1.1] Elul, the month before Rosh haShanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, is a month of reconciliation between G-d and Israel. In Torah times this was the month in which Moses ascended Mt. Sinai for the third time and remained there for forty days to beg forgiveness for the sin of the golden calf. The forty days beginning with Rosh Chodesh Elul and concluding with Yom Kippur have become the paradigm for repentance and reconciliation.

The Shofar, although a mitzvah to be sounded only on Rosh haShanah, is customarily blown every morning until Erev Rosh haShanah proclaiming symbolically: "Awaken, all you who are asleep; search your ways and mend them in repentance" (Rambam, Hilchot T'shuvah).

[1.2] Likewise, Elul is a propitious time for reconciliation

between fellow Jews, for Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur effect no atonement between people. This can only be achieved through human initiative.

[1.3] The devoutly pious throughout all times would declare a Ta'anit Dibbur, a cessation of all unnecessary talking. If something could be conveyed by body language rather than by the spoken word, words were not uttered. This served to indicate that just as one's thoughts and actions (Machshava and Ma'aseh) were in need of scrutiny, so, too, one's manner in daily communications is properly in need of careful examination. Though virtually not practiced these days, the rationale for Ta'anit Dibbur has a cogent message for anyone who was ever tempted to utter an obscenity or to offer gossip about a third party. People act based on the way they feel about any situation. One's speech is a mirror reflection of innermost feelings. Ta'anit Dibbur, therefore, could allow for an examination of one's feelings.

2. Elul Customs

[2.1] The month of Elul (starting actually after Tisha b'Av) is set aside to have Tefillin and Mezuzos checked by a qualified Sofer (scribe) once every three to four years. These objects don't last forever; wear and tear must be expected. The parchment scrolls must be letter perfect as in the case of a Torah. Ask for the name of a reputable Sofer if you do not know one.

[2.2] The resting place of loved ones is visited during Elul. Most of what is appropriate to say at the gravesite is printed in a good Siddur. You can obtain a pamphlet containing the order of the prayers to be said. There is no need for a rabbi or any of the professional hucksters who frequent the cemeteries at this season to be present. Nothing said at the gravesite needs ecclesiastical endorsement or presence. (See further on Torah Topics: Visiting the Gravesite of Dearly Departed.)

[2.3] Contributions to Tz'dakah above and beyond one's normal allocation are highly appropriate during the entire month of Elul.

[2.4] Study of the Machzor, Rambam's Hilchot T'shvuah or other works of ethical conduct such as Luzzato's M'silat Y'sharim, Rabbenu Yonah's Sha'aray T'shuvah or Bachya Ibn Pakuda's Chovot haL'vavot, all available now with good English translations.

3. A Month of Holiday Preparations

Elul time is obviously dominated by preparation for the next month's Yamim Tovim. Some suggestions follow:

[3.1] For Rosh haShanah

(a) Shop for honey used at all meals from Rosh haShanah through Sukkot.

(b) Shop for a new fruit in season which you haven't eaten in a year. This is served on the second night of Rosh haShanah and is commonly referred to as the "Shehecheyanu fruit".

(c) Some wear a new garment on the second evening of Rosh haShanah instead of or in addition to a new fruit. Purchasing a new garment is a mitzvah in preparation for any Yom Tov. And, checking whether the garment contains Sha'atnez is also a mitzvah.

(d) Clean your kittel or buy a new one if necessary. Buy a kittel even if you've never owned one. A kittel is not a rabbinical or cantorial uniform. Every male Jew owned one from time immemorial.

(e) Check the tzitzis on your Tallis. Have the Tallis cleaned. Purchase your own full-size Tallis if you don't have one or need a new one.

(f) Shop for holiday foodstuffs early to avoid price gouging right before the holidays. Report any price gouging to the National Council of Young Israel, 3 West 16th Street, New York, N.Y. 10011 which has shown deep concern for such problems faced by Jewish consumers before the major Yamim Tovim.

[3.2] For Yom Kippur

(a) Check on your non-leather shoes. Check that your sneakers do not have any leather panels sewn into them. Purchase new Yom Kippur footwear now. Summertime you have a much greater selection of canvas and informal non-leather styles.

(b) Prepare white blouses, white dresses or skirts, white shirts and white Yarmulkes. White is the color that should be worn on Yom Kippur, for it is the symbol of spiritual purity. (Red and maroon are consciously avoided throughout the holidays and espescially Yom Kippur, for it is the classical color symbolizing sin and moral degradation.)

(c) If fasting is a major health problem for you, discuss the matter with your doctor and at the same time consult the rabbi for guidance long before Yom Kippur.

(d) There are specific ways for a person to prepare for fasting. Consider the fine article reprinted further entitled The Yom Kippur Fast: Making it and Breaking it.

[3.3] For Sukkot

(a) It is not too early to start building your Sukkah. The frame of a Sukkah may be put up even months in advance of Sukkot. The S'chach can be put up as much as a month before Sukkos (but not more). Count how many Sundays there are until Sukkot when you will be free to work on your Sukkah and plan accordingly.

(b) If you are not sure of where to place your Sukkah or if you have branches of trees hanging over the area where you want to place your Sukkah, you need rabbinic advice concerning how to properly build your Sukkah. Start early with your planning.

(c) Purchase your own Lulav and Etrog early. Be guided by those who know how to choose a proper set. Do not buy anything "off the street".

4. Tips for the Homemaker

(b) Shop now for your non-perishable ingredients so that if a rainy day comes along and you are stuck at home, you'll be able to get an early start on some of your cooking.

(c) Compile your guest list now.

(d) Do housecleaning very early so that you do not fall to pieces on Yom Tov from being overworked for weeks on end.