Elul

Beyond the headlines: Taking care of yourself

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

|BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR
An illustrative AI-generated image of a Torah scroll opened in an undisclosed location in outer space.
Mental health first aid, illustrative

The Hebrew month of Elul should be a period of healing - opinion

The hatred of Jews in America’s universities and our streets, the harassment of Jews, and the boycott of Jewish businesses take us back to Germany and Austria 90 years ago.

|ByELI KAVON
Jewish men pray during Tisha B'Av, at the Wall Western, in the Old City of Jerusalem, August 13, 2024

This year's Selichot are going to be tough. Get ready - opinion

With Selichot drawing near, crowds are swelling at the Western Wall, signaling a profound yearning for connection and awakening to the upcoming High Holy Days.

|BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR
An illustrative image of empty seats.

Empty yeshiva seats are reflective of Israel's need to rebuild - opinion

This past year has proven how fragile and precious life can be. I owe it to the students who perished to give everything I can to those who now sit in their seats.

|ByMOSHE TARAGIN

Rabbi Akiva's wisdom may hold the key to post-Oct 7 healing - opinion

Amid Israel's struggle with recent tragedies, ancient Jewish wisdom offers surprising comfort.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024ByRABBI PROF. DAVID GOLINKIN
THE SITE of the Nova music festival massacre.

Israel's youths are moved to prayer, and it is coming from deep within - opinion

Beyond the headlines: A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR
Prayer service for missing teens at Makor Chaim Yeshiva, June 15, 2014.

Rabbi Pinto: "Stop everything, it’s time for self-reflection"

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024ByDAVID BERGER

Beyond the headlines: A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news - opinion

Rosh Chodesh Elul marks a time for renewal and self-improvement, offering a chance for introspection and new beginnings before the new year.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR
The Gore family from Nir Oz.

Slihot tours all around Israel

Slihot tours have become so popular because they provide empowering and spiritual experiences.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023ByMEITAL SHARABI
Slihot tours in Haifa

Corrupt, amoral religious Jews in US, Israel – repent for political sins - opinion

So many religious politicians have behaved so irreligiously for so long that it often seems easier to believe that the more religiously Jewish you are – the less politically ethical you are. 

AUGUST 30, 2023ByGIL TROY
US REPUBLICAN presidential candidate Chris Christie attends a conservative political conference, earlier this month. ‘Someone’s got to stop normalizing this conduct,’ he says.

Elul: Time to take accountability with your soul - opinion

Elul is the time to take make heshbon nefesh (accounting of the soul); a time for all of us, Adams and Eves, to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and atone for our sins.

AUGUST 21, 2023ByRACHEL A. ELOVITZ
'The Garden of Eden with the Fall of Man’ by Jan Brueghel the Elder and Pieter Paul Rubens, circa 1615

Elul and America’s epidemic of loneliness - opinion

Millions of people are quite literally dying of loneliness. The Hebrew month of Elul offers some lessons that can help.

AUGUST 20, 2023ByJOSHUA STANTON,   OLIVIA BRODSKY , MINDY SHERRY
TORAH SCROLLS are kept in the Holy Ark of East End Temple. Elul should be seen as an opportunity to address one of society’s most endemic problems: loneliness, say the writers.

Elul: Pushing us forward to a new reality in a new year - opinion

If we listen well to the sounds of the shofar in Elul, we will be able to earnestly immerse ourselves in the Days of Awe. 

AUGUST 19, 2023ByDAVID GEFFEN
The Shofar urges us to get started, and never stop.

Israel prepares for thousands to attend 'Forgiveness Prayers' at Western Wall

There will be 17 central prayer assemblies for the Israeli public to say Selichot.

AUGUST 17, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Selichot at the Western Wall.

The secret of the month of Elul: "Unconditional togetherness and love"

AUGUST 15, 2023ByMARK FISH