Definition

Noun: 1. The twelfth month of the civil year and the sixth month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar: Ellul is a month in the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to parts of August and September in the Gregorian calendar. It is traditionally a period of introspection, repentance, and spiritual preparation for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The month of Ellul is a time for reflection.
  • The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, begins at the end of Ellul.
  • Many people increase their prayers and charitable acts during Ellul.

Advanced Usage

• "The month of Ellul": This is the most common phrasing, emphasizing its role as a distinct period in the religious calendar.
  • During the month of Ellul, the shofar is blown daily.
• "In Ellul": Used to indicate an event occurring within this month.
  • The community gathers for special penitential prayers in Ellul.

Variants and Related Words

• Elul: This is the more common transliteration from Hebrew. "Ellul" and "Elul" refer to the same month.
  • The Hebrew month of Elul is a time for spiritual accounting.

Synonyms

• Sixth ecclesiastical month: A descriptive synonym referencing its position in the religious calendar year.
• Twelfth civil month: A descriptive synonym referencing its position in the civil calendar year.

Related Phrases

• "Teshuvah in Ellul": Refers to the practice of repentance and return to one's faith during this month.
  • The central theme of Ellul is teshuvah.
• "Selichot services": Special penitential prayers recited in the period leading up to and during Ellul (primarily in the Ashkenazi tradition).
  • The Selichot services begin on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah, or at the start of Ellul.

Noun

1. the twelfth month of the civil year; the sixth month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar (in August and September)