ELUL - The Month of Return
- Julia Levy
- Aug 24
- 4 min read
Elul is the twelfth and final month of the Hebrew calendar year, a month of deep soul work and preparation before the new year begins with Rosh Hashanah. As I said in my previous articles, the Hebrew calendar months could be divided in quarters by theme, and here, after the destruction and repair of the previous months of Tammuz and Av, Elul brings us into a gentler, more intimate process: teshuvah — “returning”, returning to our Source, to ourselves, and to the relationships that matter most. It’s a time of introspection, but not only in thought, also in action!
The sages teach that in Elul, “the King is in the field.” Unlike other times when the Divine feels hidden or distant, in this month HaShem is close, like walking among us, accessible and approachable, if only we pay attention! It is a time of intimacy, an opportunity to self discovery, and as such to HaShem, just as in Rumi’s quote — 'I searched for God and found only myself. I searched for myself and found only God.'
If I had to put it into words, I guess I’d say that feeling the Divine close means feeling how everything is precise, in time and space, feeling the abundance and gratitude for life, having a deep sense of meaning in our existence, feeling that you’re serving life with a greater purpose, and that the entire universe is working behind the scenes for you to succeed in whatever you’re doing that serves this life. It’s the awareness that nothing is random—especially your desires and what you enjoy doing. It’s the ability to experience unconditional love for yourself, for life, for HaShem, for people; to value yourself and things correctly; to act out of this pure love, and to hold the fear of damaging this precious reality because you know its value. It’s feeling whole with whatever you decide to do or say, feeling aligned with your values within your heart and body in every action and word. It’s carrying the constant desire (and the fear of failing) to do what’s right. It’s feeling a deep and sincere love for truth, feeling supported with an inner compass—like a divine spark, an intuitive ability within the body and heart—knowing what is right and what is wrong.
Returning is an act of sincerity, authenticity, humility, respect, love, and courage. There’s no judgment, only acknowledgment, acceptance, and movement.
Elul is also the month of preparation: we ready our hearts for the events ahead — Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Some already start singing “Selichot,” the songs of repentance. The shofar is blown daily, to stir the heart. It reminds us that time is moving, and so are we. This is not a preparation of anxiety, but of humility, and desire for closeness. We are invited to look honestly at our lives and gently return to our alignment, to choose the horizon towards which we want to move.
Letter of the Month: י (Yud)
The letter Yud is the smallest of all Hebrew letters, just a single point — yet within it lies infinite potential. It represents humility and essence, the seed from which all creation flows.
In Elul, the Yud teaches us that greatness is found not in grand gestures, but in small, sincere steps of return. Just as the Yud begins the Divine Name, a tiny spark can ignite transformation. Every moment of teshuvah, however small, is precious.
Organ of the Month: Right Kidney
The right kidney, paired with the left, is also associated with counsel and inner guidance. But while the left kidney is connected to restraint and boundaries, the right kidney corresponds to Chesed — love, kindness, expansion.
In Elul, this placement reminds us that true return is not about discipline or judgment, but first about compassionate listening — especially to the gentle voice of the soul. The right kidney symbolizes mercy guiding us home.
Here we learn balance: discipline (left) and kindness (right). Together, they harmonize the path of teshuvah.
Sense of the Month: Action (עשייה)
The sense of Elul is action — not merely thought, intention, or even speech, but embodied doing. Elul calls us to manifest change in tangible ways.
Never imprison yourself in some regret, self-pity or self-criticism, notice it as your mind is going into this infertile loop and actively take your thoughts and your feet into this fertile path ; this month we take practical steps toward reconciliation, healing, and alignment. Write a letter. Make an apology. Begin a new habit. Plant a seed. Go to a Torah course. Brainstorm with yourself, and remember: no pressure and no judgment!
Tribe of the Month: Gad
The tribe of Gad, associated with Elul, was known for its strength, courage, and ability to fight for sacred territory. In this month, Gad teaches us the courage to face ourselves honestly — to confront what we’d rather avoid — and to channel that strength into repair and reconnection.
Mazal of the Month: Virgo (בתולה)
The constellation of Elul is Virgo, symbolizing purity and renewal. Like a bride preparing for union, Elul is a time of cleansing, adorning, and preparing the soul for intimacy with the Divine on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The sages compare Yom Kippur with a wedding between HaShem and its people. This time of Elul is like our pre-wedding Mikveh, when we go to natural waters (in the sea or ocean), cleanse ourselves, pray our pure intentions, and feel like reborn.
Purity does not mean flawlessness, it means a return to essence — to the untouched core within us that remains whole despite mistakes. Our compassion, our humility is there. Teshuvah is not about becoming someone else; it’s about rediscovering who we truly are, as an individual and as Am Israel.
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And to finish with, some music for Elul, by Israeli artist Ishay Ribo:
Hodesh Tov 🙏
If you have any question, write me in the chat!
You can see my previous years articles about Elul as well 👇
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