אלול is the Hebrew name for the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar, typically falling in August or September. It is a significant time in the Jewish year, characterized by reflection, repentance, and preparation for the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The month of Elul is traditionally a period of increased spiritual activity, including daily sounding of the shofar (ram's horn) and reciting special prayers like Selichot, as people prepare themselves spiritually for the upcoming new year. The word "Elul" is also associated with the acronym "אני לדודי ודודי לי" ("I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine"), symbolizing the deepening of the relationship between Hashem and the Jewish people during this time.