By the Grace of G-d Rosh Chodesh Elul
30 Menachem Av, 5786
August 13, 2026 Dear Chodesh tov — a blessed new month to you and to all yours! Today and tomorrow we usher in the Jewish month of Elul, that beautiful time when we prepare for the New Year. With Rosh Hashanah now only one month away (it begins this year on the eve of Sept. 11), we are granted the opportunity to reconcile our accounts, so to speak, and close out our year on a high note. Here are some of the age-old traditions of Elul that help us prepare for the High Holidays and the new year:
With all this said, the overall tone and "vibe" of Elul is one of joy, of feeling an overwhelming closeness to our Father and King. This feeling of deep love and connection helps us transition to the awe-filled High Holidays. During this time of year, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of saintly memory, would often expound on the Alter Rebbe’s famous parable of The King in the Field: The time of Elul is compared to when a kind and benevolent king leaves the royal palace to visit his subjects in person. The king visits his people in “the field" where they labor, to see how they are faring, to hear from them about their challenges and needs. In contrast to the royal palace, in the field everyone who desires is permitted to meet the king, and he receives them each with a cheerful countenance. But what if someone feels too shy? Or is ashamed or scared about an infraction they committed? What if they're simply too overwhelmed by his majesty to even approach him? It is for this reason that from the very first moment he arrives to their fields, the king “radiates a smiling face" to every one of them, easing their inhibitions and beckoning them to approach. And this is what this beautiful month of Elul is all about: We don't have to wait until we feel ready, worthy, or perfect. The King comes out to meet us. He is here, in our “field,” inviting us to come closer. All we need to do is take the first step. We can use this precious month to reconnect with G-d, return to Him with love, and prepare ourselves for a good and sweet new year. May these days of Elul be radiant and uplifting for you and yours, and may you all be blessed with a Good and Sweet New Year: Shanah tovah u’Metukah! On behalf of the entire Chabad.org family,
Rabbi Zalman Shmotkin
Executive Director
P.S. This time of year is also when we customarily turn to you for your partnership. Your support keeps Chabad.org alive and enables millions to enjoy Jewish knowledge, tools and inspiration. You’ll see more from us about this in the coming days — but if you’d like to give now, you don’t need to wait.
In the meantime, please know that our team is hard at work preparing our systems, creating new content, and getting ready for the busy season ahead. Please know that we're here for you, and I'd like to invite you to reach out if there is anything we can do to help you prepare for the extraordinary days that are approaching.
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