The Month of Elul Jewish people think of Rosh Hashanah as the start of the new year. For many Jews, however, the period that starts the new year begins one month earlier, on Rosh Chodesh Elul, the beginning of the month of Elul. You wouldn't perform in a play or at a piano recital without putting in plenty of rehearsal time. In the same way, Jews take time to prepare for the high holidays of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Many people do their best throughout the year not to offend or hurt others, but it still happens.
People fail to meet their own expectations in their religious practice.
To that end, Elul is the time to return to God and to ask for forgiveness and mercy for any transgressions. This period is used for introspection, a time to evaluate deeds from the past year. Fortunately, tradition also teaches that people are required to open their hearts and accept a plea for forgiveness. The call to repent begins on Rosh Chodesh Elul at the end of morning services with the sound of the shofar. The shofar, made from a ram's horn, delivers a loud blast, reminding people to repent.