1. Structure and Meaning of Rosh Chodesh Elul
The month of Av always has 30 days, so the first day of Rosh Chodesh—the new month—for Elul is on the 30th day of Menachem Av, while the actual first day of Elul is the second day of Rosh Chodesh. Elul marks the end of the Jewish year, and just as in business one checks inventory and accounts at year’s end, so too do we make a spiritual accounting at this time. This process of introspection is not limited to the year; every night before sleep during Kriyas Shema al haMita—reciting Shema before bed—is also a time for personal reckoning. At the end of each week, especially Thursday night before Shabbos, there is a tradition to review how the week went. The culmination is once a year in Elul, when we reflect on our actions from Rosh Hashanah through Elul.2. The Spiritual Energy and Opportunity of Elul
The purpose of this introspection is not just to know what happened but to repair and improve ourselves. We still have the month of Elul to do so. Elul is known as the month of mercy, when Hashem shows particular compassion. The Alter Rebbe in Likkutei Torah explains that the verse from Shir HaShirim, “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li”—“I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me”—reflects this relationship: we turn to Hashem, and Hashem turns to us. During Elul, there is a special energy from the 13 attributes of mercy that makes it easier to connect with Hashem. Despite this great revelation, Elul remains a weekday and does not become a holiday like Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur. The Alter Rebbe gives a metaphor: before being crowned in his palace, a king goes out into the field where anyone can approach him without barriers or restrictions. In Elul, Hashem is like a king in the field—accessible to all who wish to approach.3. Historical Roots: Moshe Rabbeinu and Forgiveness
Elul’s significance also comes from history: it marks the beginning of the last 40 days that Moshe Rabbeinu spent on Mount Sinai pleading for forgiveness after the sin of the golden calf. After receiving the Torah at Sinai, Moshe ascended for 40 days but returned later than expected due to a miscalculation by Bnei Yisrael. In their impatience, they created the golden calf. Upon descending and witnessing this, Moshe broke the tablets and prayed for another 40 days for forgiveness. Hashem then instructed him to carve new tablets and ascend again for another 40 days—these final 40 days began on Rosh Chodesh Elul and ended with Yom Kippur when Hashem declared forgiveness. Accordingly, these are considered days of divine goodwill (yemei ratzon) according to Kabbalah (the period when the 13 attributes shine). Halachically, this period inspires customs such as blowing shofar daily (except Shabbos and Erev Rosh Hashanah), reciting extra Tehillim (Psalms), and increasing care in our actions as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.4. Customs and Practices During Elul
Because of its significance, Jewish tradition encourages increased diligence in prayer with greater intention (kavanah), especially reciting more Tehillim (Psalms) during services. There is an emphasis on Torah study—particularly its inner dimensions—and acts of loving-kindness (chesed) such as charity (tzedakah) and outreach campaigns initiated by the Rebbe (like Mezuzah campaigns). Women are also encouraged not to let even one day pass without Torah study relevant to them or words that inspire self-improvement. Schools typically begin during Elul so children can start their studies with renewed focus on both educational achievement and religious awareness.5. Chabad Yeshiva Customs and Personal Reflection
In Chabad yeshivas, extra hours are devoted especially to learning Chassidus, focusing on discourses about serving Hashem with heart (such as Igeres HaTeshuvah, which is the third section of Tanya; the Mitteler Rebbe’s Derech Chaim and Shaar HaTeshuvah VehaTefillah; and the discourses on avodah in Likkutei Torah). Davening is done more slowly and thoughtfully with self-accounting for one’s deeds over the past year. There is also a tradition during Elul to check one’s tefillin and mezuzahs if they haven’t been checked within twelve months—even though the strict halachic requirement is only that mezuzos be checked twice in seven years, and tefillin that are worn regularly need not be checked at all—as well as conducting an internal inspection akin to searching for chametz before Pesach: examining oneself for hidden faults needing correction. The Rebbe instructs publicizing these ideas so people can live by them joyfully rather than with sadness or heaviness. Repentance should be accompanied by simcha (joy) because there’s no greater happiness than knowing Hashem accepts us with love.6. Interpersonal Conduct and Blessings During Elul
The Rebbe emphasizes speaking kindly and humbly when encouraging others toward growth—never condescending or harshly rebuking another Jew who is beloved by Hashem like an only child born in old age. Instead, offer blessings generously throughout Elul: wish everyone only good things verbally or in writing. A special custom during this month is adding “K’siva v’chasima tovah”—a blessing that one be inscribed and sealed for good—to all letters written during Elul. The Rebbe would include this phrase in his correspondence and encouraged men, women, boys, girls—even children—to bless each other similarly.7. Shofar Blowing and Additional Tehillim Recitation
From after morning services on the first day of Elul—which is the second day of Rosh Chodesh—shofar is blown daily except Shabbos and Erev Rosh Hashanah (the first day itself only as practice). The order includes various combinations such as Tashrat (Tkiah-Shevarim-Teruah-Tkiah), Tashat (Tkiah-Shevarim-Tkiah), Tarat (Tkiah-Teruah-Tkiah). If someone misses hearing shofar in shul or at home in the morning, it should be blown at Mincha if possible. In addition to regular daily Psalms divided by date, three extra chapters are recited each day from the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul (the 30th of Menachem Av) through Yom Kippur: Day one covers chapters 1–3, day two covers 4–6, etc., continuing sequentially even if some days are missed (in which case one makes up later but always says that day's portion first). These additional chapters do not reach all 150 by Yom Kippur—extra chapters are completed then through expanded recitation during services.8. Special Songs and General Approach for Elul
A unique custom during Elul is singing the Alter Rebbe’s niggun, the Daled Bavos—which is sung only at designated times, among them the festivals, Yud-Tes Kislev, Yud-Beis Tammuz, the month of Elul and the days of Selichos, and the escorting of a chosson to the chuppah—because it carries special holiness appropriate for this spiritually charged month. In summary: The focus throughout Elul should be on strengthening our connection with Hashem through Torah observance while simultaneously being sensitive toward others—encouraging growth gently so as to foster love among Jews rather than division or negativity.