ב״ה


High-Holidays   |   Chanukah   |   Purim   |   Passover   |   Shavuot
Calendar | The Month of Elul | Rosh Hashanah | Days of Awe | Yom Kippur | Sukkot
⇦ Observances: Shmini Atzeret & Simchat TorahWhat is Elul? ⇨

September 21 - November 1, 2024 / 18 Elul - 30 Tishrei, 5785

with candle-lighting times for Brooklyn, NY (*)
Holiday Date Activity
18 ElulShabbos
September 21
26 ElulSunday
September 29
  • 1 Hour after midnight Selichos are recited. Then every morning until Rosh Hashana the Selichos are recited in the early morning.
Erev
Rosh
Hashana
Wednesday
October 2
  • Hatarat Nedarim (Nullification of Vows) after the Shachrit (morning) prayers.
  • Prepare a candle or flame that will be able to burn safely for more than 48 hours. (For example: a 48 hour Yahrzeit candle. This will be used to light the Yom Tov Candles on Thursday night, and the Shabbos candles on Friday evening).
  • Eruv Tavshilin.
  • Light Yom Tov Candles -- 18 minutes before Sunset (6:18pm).
  • After lighting the candles, recite (Blessing for Rosh Hashana):

    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Ha-zi-ko-ron.
    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom She-heche-yo-nu Ve-ki-yi-mo-nu Ve-higi-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִימָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
Rosh Hashana
Thursday
October 3
  • Blowing of Shofar
  • The Tashlich service in the afternoon.
  • Light Yom Tov Candles after nightfall (7:16pm), from a pre-existing flame.
  • After lighting the candles, recite (Blessing for Rosh Hashana):

    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Ha-zi-ko-ron.
    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom She-heche-yo-nu Ve-ki-yi-mo-nu Ve-higi-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִימָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
NOTE: A pre-existing flame is a flame burning continuously since the onset of the festival, such as a pilot light, gas or candle flame.
Rosh Hashana
Friday
October 4
  • Blowing of Shofar.
  • Light Shabbos Candles -- 18 minutes before Sunset (6:15pm), from a pre-existing flame.
  • After lighting the candles, recite (Blessing for Shabbos):

    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Shabbos Koi-desh.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת קֹדשׁ.
    • יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְפָנֶיךְ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁיִבָּנֶה בֵּית הַמִקְדָּשׁ בִּמְהֵרָה בְּיָמֵינוּ, וְתֵן חֶלְקֵינוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶיךָ.
4 TishreiSunday
October 6
  • Fast of Gedaliah - A daytime fast - We neither eat nor drink, from approximately three hours before sunrise until 40 minutes after sunset (sunset is: 6:29pm).
6 TishreiTuesday
October 8
  • Yahrzeit of Rebitzen Chana - the mother of the Rebbe. A day which the Rebbe would encourage for women to add in their commitment to the special Mitzvot obligatory on the Jewish women, for which the name Chana is an acronym.

    A. Maintaining a Kosher home.
    B. The observance of Taharat Hamishpacha
    C. The lighting of Shabbos and Yom Tov candles.

Erev
Yom Kippur
Friday
October 11
  • Kapporos service in the early morning.
  • Festive meal in the early afternoon.
  • Light the Candles 18 minutes before Sunset (6:03pm).
  • After lighting the candles, recite (Blessing for Shabbos & Yom-Kippur):

    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Shabbos V'Shel Yom Ha-ki-purim.
    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom She-heche-yo-nu Ve-ki-yi-mo-nu Ve-higi-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת וְשֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִימָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
  • Fast begins. One does not eat nor drink until after the fast ends, Shabbos night.
Yom Kippur
Shabbos
October 12
  • Yizkor memorial prayers.
  • Yom Kippur ends after nightfall (7:02pm).
  • After Maariv (evening services) it is a custom to do the Kidush Levanah Service before going home.
Sukkot Eve
Wednesday
October 16
  • Prepare a candle or flame that will be able to burn safely for more than 48 hours. (For example: a 48 hour Yahrzeit candle. This will be used to light the Yom Tov Candles on Thursday night, and the Shabbos candles on Friday evening).
  • Eruv Tavshilin.
  • Light Yom Tov Candles -- 18 minutes before Sunset (5:56pm).
  • After lighting the candles, recite (Blessing for Yom Tov):

    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.
    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom She-heche-yo-nu Ve-ki-yi-mo-nu Ve-higi-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִימָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
  • Foods and drink are consumed in the Sukkah Prior to eating a meal in the Sukkah we recite the following blessing:
    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vo-nu Le-shev Ba-su-kah.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לֵישֵׁב בַּסֻּכָּה.
First day
of Sukkos
Thursday
October 17
  • Shake the four kinds; We recite the following blessings:
    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vo-nu Awl Ne-tee-las Lu-luv.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת לוּלָב.
  • The following blessing is said only the first time before we shake the Four Kinds:
    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom She-heh-che-yoh-nu Vi-ki-ye-mo-nu Ve-he-ge-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִימָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
  • Light Yom Tov Candles -- AFTER nightfall (6:54pm), from a pre-existing flame.
  • After lighting the candles, recite (Blessing for Yom Tov):

    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.
    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom She-heche-yo-nu Ve-ki-yi-mo-nu Ve-higi-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִימָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
Second day
of Sukkos
Friday
October 18
  • Shake the four kinds.
  • Light Shabbos Candles 18 minutes before Sunset (5:53pm).
  • After lighting the candles, recite (Blessing for Shabbos):

    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Shabbos Koi-desh.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת קֹדשׁ.
    • יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְפָנֶיךְ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁיִבָּנֶה בֵּית הַמִקְדָּשׁ בִּמְהֵרָה בְּיָמֵינוּ, וְתֵן חֶלְקֵינוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶיךָ.
Chol HaMoed - Intermediate Days
Shabbos - Wednesday, October 19 - October 23
1st day
Chol Hamoed
Shabbos
October 19
  • Special additional prayer is said in the morning - Hallel, Musaf for Sukkot.
  • Shabbos ends after nightfall (6:51pm).
2nd day
Chol Hamoed
Sunday
October 20
  • We do not put on Tefilin today.
  • Shake the four kinds.
  • Special additional prayer is said in the morning - Hallel, Hoshaanos, Musaf for Sukkot.
3rd day
Chol Hamoed
Monday
October 21
  • We do not put on Tefilin today.
  • Shake the four kinds.
  • Special additional prayer is said in the morning - Hallel, Hoshaanos, Musaf for Sukkot.
4th day
Chol Hamoed
Tuesday
October 22
  • We do not put on Tefilin today.
  • Shake the four kinds.
  • Special additional prayer is said in the morning - Hallel, Hoshaanos, Musaf for Sukkot.
  • After midnight we recite the entire Psalms (Tehilim). Afterwards we eat an apple dipped in honey.
Hoshaana
Rabah
Friday
October 18
  • We do not put on Tefilin today.
  • Shake the four kinds.
  • Hoshaana Rabah Special additional prayer is said in the morning - Hallel, (all) Hoshaanos, Musaf for Sukkot.
  • After Mincha we conclude recital of Psalm 27.
  • Prepare a candle or flame that will be able to burn safely for more than 48 hours. (For example: a 48 hour Yahrzeit candle. This will be used to light the Yom Tov Candles on Thursday night, and the Shabbos candles on Friday evening).
  • Eruv Tavshilin.
  • Light Yom Tov Candles -- 18 minutes before Sunset (5:46pm).
  • After lighting the candles, recite (Blessing for Yom Tov):

    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.
    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom She-heche-yo-nu Ve-ki-yi-mo-nu Ve-higi-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִימָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
  • After Maariv; Dancing with the Torah.
Shemini
Atzeret
Thursday
October 24
  • Yizkor memorial prayers and Geshem Prayers
  • Light Yom Tov Candles AFTER nightfall (6:44pm), from a pre-existing flame.
  • After lighting the candles, recite (Blessing for Yom Tov):

    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.
    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom She-heche-yo-nu Ve-ki-yi-mo-nu Ve-higi-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִימָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
  • After Maariv; Dancing with the Torah.
Simchas
Friday
October 25
  • Hakafot (Dancing with the Torah).
  • All males get Aliya to the Torah.
  • Light Shabbos Candles 18 minutes before Sunset (5:43pm).
  • After lighting the candles, recite (Blessing for Shabbos):

    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Shabbos Koi-desh.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת קֹדשׁ.
    • יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְפָנֶיךְ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁיִבָּנֶה בֵּית הַמִקְדָּשׁ בִּמְהֵרָה בְּיָמֵינוּ, וְתֵן חֶלְקֵינוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶיךָ.
30 TishreiFriday
November 1
  • Light Shabbos Candles 18 minutes before Sunset (5:34pm).
  • After lighting the candles, recite (Blessing for Shabbos):

    • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Shabbos Koi-desh.
    • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת קֹדשׁ.
    • יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְפָנֶיךְ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁיִבָּנֶה בֵּית הַמִקְדָּשׁ בִּמְהֵרָה בְּיָמֵינוּ, וְתֵן חֶלְקֵינוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶיךָ.
* Notes:
  • The sunrise/sunset routines lack accuracy. If you enter geographic coordinates above the Arctic Circle or Antarctic Circle, the times are guaranteed to be wrong.

⇦ Observances: Shmini Atzeret & Simchat TorahWhat is Elul? ⇨