The Sources of Elul

When the Jewish People sinned by worshipping the Golden Calf (Shemot 32:1-6) right after receiving the Torah from G-d, in effect rejecting His great gift, Moshe broke the first set of Holy Tablets, on which were inscribed the Ten Commandments. 

Moshe then ascended Mount Sinai and pleaded with G-d for mercy and forgivness on behalf of the Jewish people.

G-d accepted Moshe's pleas and commanded him to make another set of two tablets like the first.

Moshe ascended the mountain again on Rosh Chodesh Elul (first day of the month of Elul) and remained there 40 days until the 10th of Tishrei.

On the 10th of Tishrei, better known as Yom Kippur, he brought down the second set of holy Tablets which was granted to the Jewish people as a sign of renewed Divine favor.

The information compiled for this section has been adapted by permission of The Judaica Press, Inc., Feldheim Publishers, Jewish Publications Society, Project Genesis, The Smiles Torah Project, and others. Man blowing shofar and Kotel background adapted from a painting by Michel Schwartz.

These 40 days were set for all future generations as days of repentance and forgiveness. These days are especially appropriate for personal reflection and repentance since they mark the perennial recurrence of Divine compassion.

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