Over the last 29 days, during the Hebrew month of Elul, hopefully one text, social media post, Shabbat message, or song helped you gain greater insight into the Days of Awe. A Jewish day begins at night and so as night falls, we will enter into the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei and Rosh HaShanah.
Here is a list of all the words used in this year’s 29 Words for Elul. When we enhance our vocabulary in a certain realm, we are better able to articulate and understand our connection. We hope that these last 29 days of words for Elul will enrich your High Holy Days. Shana Tova.
1.
Shana Tovah U'metukah
A Good and Sweet new Year
2.
Elul
The Hebrew month just before the High Holy Days, a time of reflection on repentance.
3.
Machzor
The High Holy Day prayerbook
4.
Akeidah
Literally “binding," refers to the Binding of Isaac in the book of Genesis read on Rosh HaShanah
5.
Avodah
Translates directly as "service"; the name for the Jerusalem Temple ritual, which describes the sacrificial ritual in the Temple on the Day of Atonement.
6.
T'kiah Shevarim, T'ruah, T'kiah Gedolah
The names for the Shofar Blasts. T'kiah is one long blast. Shevarim is three broken sounds and T'ruah is nine staccato notes. T'kiah Gedolah is a loud, long and final T'kiah.
7.
Malchuyot, Zichronot, Shofarot
Rosh Service sections that deal with God’s Sovereignty, God’s Attentiveness, and the sounding of the Shofar with an understanding that the hearing of the Shofar is desired by God.
8.
Melekh
King or Sovereign, a name for God used frequently during the High Holy Days
10.
Yom Tov
Holiday, literally "a good day."
“Yontif” in Yiddish
“Yontif” in Yiddish
11.
Chet
Translates directly to "miss the target" in archery terms, has come to mean sin.
12.
Baruch
Blessed
13.
Unetaneh Tokef
Dramatic High Holy Day Prayer which focuses on what one can to do change the outcome of the consequences of sin at this time on the Jewish calendar.
14.
Eloheinu
A name for God, literally "Our God."
15.
Kol Nidre
Literally “all vows,” Kol Nidre is the name for the Erev Yom Kippur prayer service that begins with this special legal formula recited at the beginning of the service and is chanted three times. This legal ritual is believed to have developed in early medieval times as a result of persecutions against the Jews.
16.
Avinu Malkeinu
Literally “Our Father, Our King,” these are prayers of humble supplication and request said during the High Holy Days.
17.
Tzom Kal
Easy fast, a customary greeting on the Yom Kippur fast day.
18.
Neilah
The concluding service of Yom Kippur when final prayers of repentance are recited.
19.
Ha'olam
“The World” in Hebrew. Rosh HaShanah celebrates the birthday of the world.
20.