This is the time to begin studying the fall festivals. They begin in late September. Spending early September studying them is a good idea - one that we've not fully been able to do well in the past ourselves. *sigh* It is a good time to learn about the Shofar (ram's horn, often translated "trumpet" or "bugle" in standard English versions) and it's significance and meaning. It's a good time to learn about the significance of the Holy of Holies in the Temple and to realize that WE are the Temple of the Ruach HaKodesh. Try to wrap your brain around all that means! It's a good time to learn about how the Messiah came to tabernacle among us and about our own tabernacles - our temporary dwellings that we will exchange some day for our glorified permanent dwellings (or bodies). For those of us who do not keep christmas, this is the time when we recognize the birth of our Messiah. It is expected that He was conceived at Hanukkah time and born in the fall festival season.

The month before the festivals begin is generally a time to search yourself and your life for things that need to be made right. It is a time to seek forgiveness (if you find yourself at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you...) and repent, or do teshuvah - return. Elul is the month preceding the festivals and a month of preparation, internal investigation and searching, and forgiveness. It is a time to drive a stake in the ground and return to Him in whatever area(s) we have slipped or fallen or never knew existed to begin with and are now ready and willing to be obedient to Him. It is a good month.

Fall Festivals for Kids from Torah Family Magazine has several PDF files that are helpful in learning and applying various aspects of the fall festivals. They also have some Elul resources available. Biblical Holidays has some good information as well and is always worth looking into. There are many more resources to find in learning about the fall festivals and holy days. If anyone has some favorites they'd like to share, please do so!

Preparing a Succah is done in this time as well, particularly for those of us who do not have a Succah ready to assemble. I have a PDF file has instructions that anyone could follow for building a Succah. If anyone is interested, please send me an e-mail and I'll send you the PDF. I forget where I got it from and I can't seem to find a web address on the PDF itself. In previous years we have set up the tent in the basement and have done our studies in there as a family and often eaten in it. But this year we will have a REAL Succah! And after watching Ushpizin I have tons of ideas for decorating and using it. I'm rather excited!!

I'm wondering if anyone else will be spending the month of Elul focusing on the festivals that are ahead and on teshuvah. If so, please feel free to comment and let me know what you do in your home. I'd be interested to know!