Slichot

Rabbi Gil Nativ - About the Selichot Prayers

According to the tradition of Sephardic Jews, “Selichot” (Jewish penitential prayers) are customarily recited from the beginning of the month of Elul and onward. According to the tradition of the Sages, it was on this date in the Hebrew calendar that Moshe ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Tablets of the Law for a second time, immediately after God had forgiven the People of Israel for their transgressions. According to the tradition of Ashkenazi Jews, “Selichot” prayers are said starting from the Saturday night preceding Rosh Hashana. To continue reading click here

Rabbi Eliyahu Peretz - Shall We Arise at Dawn?

Once again, the first of the Jewish month of Elul has come and some of us have started reciting Selichot prayers (according to the Sephardi custom) and starting the countdown from the first of this month to Rosh Chodesh Tishrei (the first of the month of Tishrei) and the Jewish High Holy Days - those joyous days which can only be called "the Days of Awe(some Joy)." Until then, time still lies before us: weeks of introspection, soul-searching and repentance, which also provide us with an opportunity for deeper introspection regarding the essence and meaning of this period.

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