Day 1 / 30 Av
יום א׳ | DAY 1 / ל׳ באב | 30

אני לדודי ודודי לי

Ani l’dodi v’dodi li
“I am for my Beloved, and my Beloved is for me.”

Shir HaShirim / Song of Songs 6:3

WE BEGIN THE JOURNEY.
Not only for 30 days, but for 31—beginning on the final day of Av, the 30th, as the first light of Elul begins to emerge.

Just as a wedding day begins long before the chuppah—with anticipation, preparation, and a heart turning toward the beloved—our Elul journey begins one day earlier.

א׳ באלול | DAY 2 — 1 ELUL
עז והדר לבושה ותשחק ליום אחרון
Oz v’hadar levushah, v’tischak l’yom acharon
“She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs at the last day.” Mishlei / Proverbs 31:25

Day 2 explores the secret of the soul’s garments. In Torah, clothing is more than external appearance; it can reveal the soul or conceal it. Elul invites us to examine the habits, fears, roles, and expectations we wear.

Day 3 of Elul explores the verse, “אֲנָה לְיָדוֹ וְשַׂמְתִּי לְךָ מָקוֹם” — “I will assign you a place.” Elul becomes an ir miklat, a city of refuge in time. Teshuva invites us to move from unintentional action toward kavana, presence, and deep listening. We create a makom where judgment softens into compassion and mistakes can be repaired. A guided meditation opens the heart to the shofar and Hashem’s presence, concluding with one joyful movement of embodied teshuva.

Day 4 of Hints of Elul explores “אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ וּמַתָּנוֹת לָאֶבְיוֹנִים”—“a person to their fellow, and gifts to the needy” (Esther 9:22). Elul calls us to repair not only our relationship with Hashem, but also our relationships with others. Through compassionate presence, giving, deep listening, and healthy repair, we create space for connection. A guided meditation and physical teshuva practice invite us to open the heart, soften the body, and share our gifts.

Day 5 of Hints of Elul explores “אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ וּמַתָּנוֹת לָאֶבְיוֹנִים”—“a person to their fellow, and gifts to the needy” (Esther 9:22). Elul invites us to awaken the goodness within ourselves and others by wearing garments of righteousness. Through meditation, compassion, forgiveness, and giving, we release anger and make room for growth. The practice concludes with physical teshuva: reducing screen time and becoming more present with Hashem and others.

Day 8 7 ELUL אלול: וּלְמִי־אֵלֶּה לְפָנֶיךָ וְאָמַרְתָּ לְעַבְדְּךָ לְיַעֲקֹב And you shall say, They belong to your servant Yaakov
There are 3 gates / שערים / shaarim : עולם / olam / world, שנה / shana / year and נפש / nefesh / soul שנה This shaar of the year is Elul, the התחלת השנה / hatḥalat ha’shanah — the true beginning of the year, the gate on which the entire year is determined. The shaar of each day is DAWN, השכמת הבוקר / hashkamat haboker.

AWAKENING THE DAWN CHABURA🩵

Day 9 – 8 Elul אלול

וּלֹא יַחֵל דְּבָרוֹ בְּכָל הַיֹּצֵא מִפִּיו יַעֲשֶׂה

His word will not fail; everything that proceeds from his mouth he will do

Day 9: In the language of Elul: do not belittle yourself. Hashem trusts your words; let them rise and become real. Elul awakens hitlahavut — holy stirrings that overflow into nederim (vows).

התשובה על התשובה* כִּי לֻולֵא הִתְמַהְמָהְנוּ כִּי עַתָּה שַׁבְנוּ זֶה פַעֲמָיִם Because if we had not delayed, surely by now we would have returned twice (Bereishit 43:10) There are 3 stages of Teshuva: 1.⁠ ⁠Teshuva mi’yirah יראה – return out of awe or fear; external correction: ceasing from sin, confessing, repairing our deeds. 2.⁠ ⁠Not delaying (lo l’hitmahmah). 3.⁠ ⁠Teshuva me’ahavah – a deeper return; from belonging, from desiring closeness to Hashem not because of guilt but because of love

Day 11 – 10 elul אלול

Elul אלול / HINTS OF ELUL: A 31-Day Journey of Teshuva & Renewal

הִכְבַּדְתִּי אֶת לְבּוֹ וְאֶת לֹב עֲבָדָיו

I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants. (Exodus 10:1)

Kavana Day 11

At the heart of teshuva is bechirah בחירה – free choice. But choice is not guaranteed; every repeated sin can harden the heart, like Paro, until change feels impossible. Elul calls us to guard this gift, to keep the heart

DAY 12 – 11 Elul אלול HINTS OF ELUL: A 31-Day Journey of Teshuva & Renewal

On the Work of the Heart – על עֲבוֹדַת הַלֵּב וְחָנֵּנִי וַעֲנֵנִי לְךָ אֲמַר לְבִּי בַּקְשׁוּ פָנָי אֶת פָּנֶיךָ ה' אֲבַקֵּשׁ And have mercy on me and answer me, I said to my heart, a stranger to my heart, seek my face. Tehillim 27:7

Day 13 Hints of ELUL אלול Chabura Recording: A 31-Day Journey of Teshuva & Renewal

Hint for today: On Agility in Moderation –על זריזות במתינות

This is the difference between teshuva that lasts and teshuva that collapses.

I will go slowly at the pace of the work

BEREISHIT 33:14

The voice of Esav says: “Force it. Run ahead. Correct in one burst.”

But Yaakov answers: “I will walk slowly, because the children (our sensitive parts) are tender.”

Kavana – Tikkun HaChevra / Mending Relationships The mussar of Elul is not to break us, but to awaken us. אלול is hidden in this pasuk: וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ לְשָׁלוֹם . Each asked after the other’s welfare (Shemot 18:7)

*Kavana – Tikkun HaChevra The avodah of Elul is to be truly present with one another. To ask, not out of habit, but with sincerity. With eyes that see, ears that listen deeply, and hearts that care. To say מה שלומך?

Day 16 – 15 elul אלול

אֶחָד לְעֹלָה וְאֶחָד לְחַטָּאת
One for the burnt-offering and one for the sin-offering
Vayikra 12:8

kavana day 16 For every שְׁגָגָה – moment of forgetfulness, may my heart awaken with presence. For every flame of הִתְמַסְּרוּת – devotion, may my life rise wholly to You.

Day 17 – 16 Elul אלול

יִהְיוּ לְךָ לְבַדֶּךָ וְאֵין לְזרִים אִתָּךְ
Let them be yours alone, and not shared with strangers.
- Mishlei 5:17

Elul summons us to see with a panoramic gaze, to lift our eyes above the daily steps and ask: Where am I heading?And this gaze awakens an even more essential question: אצל מי אני עובד For whom am I working?

Day 18 – 17 Elul אלול

To recall mortality is to strip away illusions. It teaches us to give our years not to fleeting distractions but to eternal roots. 

In this sense,‭ ‬מוות‭ ‬מוליד‭ ‬חיים‭ ‬ death gives birth to life.
Death gives birth to a deeper life, more honest, more directed.

Thus, when Avraham stands before Sarah,
the image is of neshamah & guf in dialogue.
Am I living with essence?
Am I shaping a life that, when my body rests,
will still be called alive? 

Day 18 – 17 Elul אלול

To recall mortality is to strip away illusions. It teaches us to give our years not to fleeting distractions but to eternal roots. 

In this sense,‭ ‬מוות‭ ‬מוליד‭ ‬חיים‭ ‬ death gives birth to life.
Death gives birth to a deeper life, more honest, more directed.

Thus, when Avraham stands before Sarah,
the image is of neshamah & guf in dialogue.
Am I living with essence?
Am I shaping a life that, when my body rests,
will still be called alive? 

Day 18 – 17 Elul אלול

To recall mortality is to strip away illusions. It teaches us to give our years not to fleeting distractions but to eternal roots. 

In this sense,‭ ‬מוות‭ ‬מוליד‭ ‬חיים‭ ‬ death gives birth to life.
Death gives birth to a deeper life, more honest, more directed.

Thus, when Avraham stands before Sarah,
the image is of neshamah & guf in dialogue.
Am I living with essence?
Am I shaping a life that, when my body rests,
will still be called alive? 

Day 22 – 21 Elul אלול: A 31-Day Journey of Teshuva & Renewal

A hint/ remez of “אלול” is hidden in this pasuk:

וַתֵּרֶא כִּי מִתְאמֶצֶת הִיא

לְלֶכֶת אֶתָּהּ וְתָחְדַּל לְדַבֵּר אֵלֶיהָ ט:

(רות א, יח)

Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, so she ceased speaking to her

Rut 1:18

DAY 23 / 22 אלול Elul: Hints of Elul: Today’s Remez: בין גלוי לנסטר Between Revealed and Hidden HINTS OF ELUL: A 31-Day Journey of Teshuva & Renewal A hint/ remez of אלול is hidden in this pasuk: הַנִּסְתָּרֹת לַה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ וְהַגִּגְלוֹת לָנוּ וְלַבָּנֵנוּ The hidden things belong to Hashem our G-d, but the revealed things are for us and for our children Devarim 29:28

The acronym / roshei teivot: אלול תבכה “ELUL WEEPS” is hidden in this pasuk. Learn why:

Day 24 – 23 Elul אלול
וְאַמץ אֶת לְבָבוֹ לְמַעַן תִּתּוֹ בְּיָדְכָ כִּיּוֹם הַזֶּהּ

And Hashem strengthened his heart in order to deliver him into your hand, as on this very day - Devarim 2:30
TEARS are not a mark of failure but of intimacy.
Discover, the voice of סיחון Sichon within YOU…

Sichon סיחון represents הסחת הדעת , distraction,
the voice that confuses and diverts.

🌅 Day 25 – 24 Elul אלול Hints of Elul: Our 31-Day Journey of Teshuva & Renewal Journal Prompts: Day 25 1. How can I match my gifts to the current needs of the Jewish People? 2. What is one small offering I can bring forward this week? • Teshuva is offering what only I can give. Elul whispers: Take initiative. Do not wait. Do not let others walk the path for you*. Your eyes can open. Your ears can hear. Your heart can awaken. But only if you rise to claim it. Only if you say, “It is mine.”

🌅 Day 26 – 25 Elul אלול Hints of Elul: Our 31-Day Journey of Teshuva & Renewal Journal
Today is כ״ה אלול — the first day of Bereshit Turn to me and be gracious to me, give Your strength to Your servant, My role is responsibility refined: to choose humility. At first, teshuva feels powerful and radiant we rise above old patterns. But soon, habits creep back The root may be גאווה pride in thinking I can master myself alone. True teshuva begins with humility

From Ani L’Dodi to Berach Dodi
Day 27 – 26 Elul Topic: On the closeness within distance
At the start of Elul we entered with:
“I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine.”
Now, as we approach the end, we are given another remez:
בְּרַח דּוֹדִי — Flee, my Beloved.✨ After longing, searching, and finding — we might expect reunion. Instead, the Ra’ayah does not plead “Stay,” but whispers “Flee.” What is this paradox? What courage does it take to love with both closeness and space

Day 29 explores the relationship between Olam Hazeh and Olam Haba. Teshuva is not an escape from earthly life, but a return to it with clarity, freedom, and purpose. Torah teaches us to resist unhealthy desires and root kedushah within everyday choices. Through chesed, Ahavat Yisrael, warm words, and honoring every soul, we reveal holiness in the land and one another. Each faithful act becomes a victory of eternity over gravity, drawing us closer to Tzion and Geula.

“וַיֹּאמְרוּ לֵאמֹר אָשִׁירָה לַה׳” — “They said, saying: I will sing to Hashem” (Shemot 15:1). I remember the אילמות, the silence of Mitzrayim, yet trust the hidden שירה within me. I hear the trembling קול of the shofar and believe it can become melody. Brokenness is not my ending; it is the doorway into praise. As I approach Yom HaDin, I choose to enter not only with fear, but also with faith, courage, and song.