Sephardic Jews traditionally recite selichot throughout the month of Elul in anticipation of the High Holy Days or Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with the ten days between them known as Yamim Noraim or the Days of Awe. Ashkenazi Jews however begin selichot on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah. The High Holy Days are the most important time in all Judaism, when HaShem will judge and the books will finally be closed for the year.
The forty days leading up to Rosh Hashana are called Shemei Ratzon- Days of Favor because they remember the forty days in which Moshe interceded for his people after they sinned with the Golden Calf. The forty days start on 1 Elul.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most revered days in the Hebrew calendar, when God judges all of mankind. The month of Elul is therefore considered an important period of reflection, introspection, and repentance before those “days of judgment.”
The shofar or ram’s horn is sounded at each morning prayer service during the month of Elul. Rashi, an 11th cen Talmudic commentator tells us the forty days represents God’s call to Moses to ascend Mount Sinai for forty days on three different occasions.
First time he received the
, however upon his return he observed the people in the sin of worshiping the Golden Calf. In his anger, he destroyed the tablets of the law on the 17th of Tammuz. Next day he burned the calf. (Exodus 32:19; Deuteronomy 9:11)
He went up a second time to plead God’s forgiveness, returning on the 29th of Av after 40 days on the mountain. (Exodus 32:30–31; Deuteronomy 9:18)
On the first day of Elul, he climbed up the mountain a third time for a period of 40 days. He invoked God’s mercy and asked for complete atonement. When he came down on Tishri 10, Yom Kippur, he had the second set of tablets along with the assurance of God’s forgiveness. (Exodus 34:1, 27–28; Deuteronomy 10:1–5)
Forty is a significant number in Judaism. It’s the number of repentance, testing, judgment, renewal and new beginnings. It can represent punishment, correction, instruction, purification and preparation. It rained forty days and nights as the earth was cleansed in the time of the Ark of Noach. Forty days after their arrival at Mount Sinai, God transformed the Jews from Egyptian slaves to His own people. They were renewed. For their rebellion, the new nation wandered in the wilderness for forty years. They were judged and punished. The next generation entered their Promised Land to a new beginning after being instructed and prepaired. Yeshua was tested by temptation after He spent forty days in the wilderness in preparation for His ministry. And there were 40 days between the resurrection (renewal) and ascension (new beginning).
So while there is no Biblical command to observe this time, still it is Biblically based. This is a month of introspection, of repentance, and also a time to contemplate God’s mercy and forgiveness. It is in fact a period of renewal. It's a revival, Jewish style.
During this time it is thought we have an opportunity to draw closer to God. This is a time when God is thought to be more accessible. Rabbi Schneur Zalman, founder of the Hassidic Chabad Orthodox branch of Judaism, explained to meet with a king, one must go through “appropriate channels,” gaining approval of a long line of bureaucrats before being granted access to the throne room. There are times though when the king leaves the palace, going out into the field. At this time all usual decorum and bureaucratic requirements are suspended and anyone can approach him. During the month of Elul, it is traditionally believed God makes Himself accessible like this.
“Because of the King’s presence, more time is spent in study, in more fervent prayer, greater generosity and giving. His presence has made the field a holier place.” (Chabad)
Messianics do not typically observe this time, though some do and I think we should. Not like any other sect per say, but in quiet introspection; taking stock of the last year, remembering our sins but also what God has done for us. Remember to the good we’ve done and improvements we’ve made. It is a way of going into the ten Days of Awe with a better idea what to focus on for improvement. My list will already be made at a more leisurely pace of 40 vs. just 10 days. Then I can earnestly pray for help making the changes needed during the Yamim Noraim.
Now, we can repent any time and be forgiven. And we can take stock of our lives at any time as well. So why go through all these “Jewish” customs to accomplish these things? Well, let me ask you; how many times do you honestly do a thorough accounting of your life with a view to earnest repentance and making changes? Some of us may have done this, but I’m guessing not that often. This is a structured time of making sure we do it at least once a year. So while it is not required to observe Yamim Noraim, I think it might be a good thing to do so. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur however are required, and we should also use this time to make our plans for those as well as Sukkot.
Dan C
- there are 70 faces to 
