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The Zodiac of Elul

The Kabbalah of the Jewish months

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The Zodiac of Elul: The Kabbalah of the Jewish months

Learn the mystical dimension of the Jewish month embedded in its Hebrew name, mazal, tribe, attribute and more. The Hebrew zodiac for Elul is “besulah” (virgin), a.k.a. Virgo.
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Topics: Month, Zodiac, Elul
Aaron L. Raskin
Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin is the official Chabad emissary to downtown Brooklyn, rabbi of Congregation B’nai Avraham in Brooklyn Heights, New York and Dean of Brooklyn Heights Jewish Academy. He is the author of the books, “Thank You God for Making Me a Woman", "Letters of Light", "By Divine Design", and "Guardian of Israel", and the co-author of "The Rabbi & The CEO".
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BK August 16, 2023

Modern calendars no longer coincide with the visible constellations because of an astronomical phenomenon called the precession of the equinoxes. This is a tiny "slippage" backwards of the seasons due to the Earth's wobble on its axis. Astrologers in many Asian traditions (in places like India) use what's called the sidereal zodiac to compensate for this wobble. In the West, there are far fewer astrological systems that do the math to compensate for it; instead, they use an Earth-centered or "tropical" zodiac system. The Hebrew calendar, being lunar but also pegged to the equinoxes and solstices -- thus, soli-lunar, rather than strictly lunar like the Islamic calendar -- compensates for this movement somewhat, but not in a way that really makes our months coincide with the longterm effects of precession.

I hope this is helpful. Reply

Alain August 24, 2022

How or why is Elul, Virgo? The sun isn't in Virgo until Tishri? And when the sun is in Virgo and it's new moon it's literally Tishri 1? So can someone please help understand why it's being said to be Elul?

I look at clock with 12 numbers as constellations and the hour and minute hands as examples of the sun and moon. And when they're on top of each each and one can't be seen because of it. It's like new moon with the moon blocked by the sun? And for example when I see that happen 1 oclock I don't think it 12 oclock? It's clearly 1 oclock! So why are the constellations any different?

Thank you Reply

Dori California September 17, 2022
in response to Alain:

If you look up into the night sky you can not see the constellation that the sun is in. As the sun sets it is Betulah (Elul) that can be seen . If you are observing a computer program this is where the confusion is coming from. Looking up from earth the virgin can be seen with the naked eye 👍🏼 Reply

Carmen Tennessee October 1, 2022
in response to Alain:

The Hebrew calendar has been off by a month since 2018 because the sun stayed in the constellation Virgo for 2 months. This usually happens when the the sun stays for 2 months in Pisces. No one acknowledged this. I don't know why except that perhaps they wanted everyone to celebrate the High Holy days on the wrong days. Reply

BK August 16, 2023
in response to Carmen:

It's not acknowledged because it's not true. Reply

Nancy Clark Erwin September 1, 2021

I used to know my Hebrew birthday but I know the Gregorian calendar has it September 4th. I was born at 9:50 at night in the central time zone of the USA.I believe that is typically Elul. Curious about my tribe and usefulness or destiny. Reply

Rabbi Raskin Bklyn hts September 2, 2021
in response to Nancy Clark:

Email me
[email protected] Reply

Amanda Ohio July 28, 2021

Just getting ready to listen to this and noticed the comment you kindly replied to. I’ve been curious for awhile about Elul 11 that was September 16, 1967 a Saturday Sabbath and Tishri 10 Yom Kippur this year. It’s my birth date and I was born at 3:11 pm. My birth first name is Amanda. I’d be grateful and welcome any insight you may be able to share and thank you. 🙏🏼 Blessings to you and yours Reply

Rabbi Raskin Bklyn hts September 2, 2021
in response to Amanda :

Email me ravraskin@gmail Reply

Joao Pedro Souza Matos August 18, 2020

I born on Elul 13, 5754. What does this means astrologically? Please give me some spiritual counsel based on this. Reply

Rabbi Raskin Bklyn Hts August 19, 2020
in response to Joao Pedro Souza Matos:

The numerical value of 13 is Echad-One;
Elul is the acronym for Love.
You have the tools to bring unity between mankind and G-d. And to Display love and kindness; by increasing in acts of goodness and kindness. Reply

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