Minhagim and Customs of the Month of Elul (1)
Rosh Chodesh Elul. Next Thursday, the thirtieth of Av and the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, is the first of the forty days of Divine mercy from Hashem to Klal Yisroel. In these days, the thirteen attributes of Hashem’s mercy shine stronger than all year, and Tefillah and Teshuva are accepted more than ever. This is when Moshe Rabbeinu went up to Har Sinai, and on the fortieth day, Yom Kippur, he received the luchos and Hashem’s statement that He granted forgiveness for the sin of the golden calf. From then, this time of year has been set aside for repentance and heavenly good will. The year soon ends and the new year starts with Rosh Hashana, a day of judgment. In preparation for this day we can and should strengthen ourselves in Torah and mitzvos. There are a number of halachos and customs we follow during this period, but the main point is for a person to examine himself, finding where he can improve and starting to do so.
Yom Kippur Katan. On Erev Rosh Chodesh, many shuls say the Yom Kippur Katan Mincha which includes Selichos, Viduy on undesirable acts and middos, and requests for forgiveness. rt
Good Wishes. It is customary from Rosh Chodesh Elul till Yom Kippur to bless others and wish them a good and sweet year. A person should always be generous giving berachos, and eager to receive berachos, because Chazal (Brachos 7a) tells us that the beracha of even a plain person should not be trivial in your eyes.
Tehillim 27. We begin to say perek 27 (L’Dovid Hashem Oiry) at the end of Shacharis, and a second time at the end of Mincha or Maariv, according to the minhag of the congregation. It refers to Hashem being our light, which the Medrash interprets as referring to Rosh Hashana. The acceptance of Hashem as our King through tefillos and the shofar are our “light” throughout the year. The perek continues, referring to Hashem as our salvation on Yom Kippur. The purification of Yom Kippur is truly our source for yeshuos throughout the year. Sukkos, as a source of shelter and depending on Hashem [bitachon], is also mentioned in this chapter. Most shuls start on the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, while some start on the first day of Rosh Chodesh.