Elul & Rosh Hashanah-Reflection for Bnei Noach

There are Jewish holidays that apply specifically to only Israel and there are Jewish holidays that also have universal significance. Although Noahides are not obligated to observe these holidays, it is advisable to pay attention to them, given their importance. 

One of the holidays is Rosh Hashanah because we read in Mishna Rosh Hashanah 1:2: 

The world is judged four times: on Pesach for grain; on Shavuot for fruit; on Rosh Hashanah they all go before him like sheep of the flock, as it is written, “He forms their hearts as one, he understands all their deeds.” (Psalm 33); on Sukkot, the world is judged by water. 

But what is meant by “judged”? Isn’t Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the day that Adam or creation came into being? 

The creation of the world began on the 25th day of the month of Elul. So, you would think that New Year’s Day should fall on this date. However, with the creation of man [on the 1st of Tishrei], G-d introduced the potential for voluntary acceptance of His Oneness and active assent to His will. It was on this day that He became the Giving King. Man, as G-d’s partner, was given the task of making creation a dwelling place for G-d. That is why Rosh Hashanah, the birthday of Adam, became New Year’s Day. However, it is also the day that Adam and Chava ate from the Tree of Knowledge, with all its consequences. 

So, it is a day of joy because man is the crown of creation, but it is also a day of judgment. It is the day that Adam should have reflected on his behavior, and it is the day we also should reflect on our behavior. Realizing the importance of self-analysis is the beginning of spiritual growth. What behavior was right or wrong? How was our relationship with G-d, with our fellow man, and with creation in general? We should not stop at this reflection, but rather value what we did well and expand on it where possible, correct our mistakes, define goals for the coming year, and consider how to adjust our behavior to achieve them – with the help of the Eternal One. 

The preparations for Rosh Hashanah begin on the first day of Elul [Editor: sundown on Aug 24,2025]. We take a whole month for our self-analysis. The entire month is dedicated to learning to change our behavior. We return to G-d and answer the question that G-d asked Adam: Where are you? Where are you in your life after what you have done in the past year? This is called teshuvah (repentance). When we set aside time in the month of Elul and sincerely ask G-d for forgiveness, He is merciful and will forgive. May you know that you will be entered into G-d’s Book of Life when He judges us on Rosh Hashanah.  

You can spend time in reflection in the following ways: 

• Read Psalm 24 
• Read Psalm 27 once or twice a day 
• Read three consecutive Psalms every day. If you start with Psalm 1 on the first day of Elul and you read three psalms every day, the final Psalm 150 is completed on the last day of Sukkot (called Hoshana Rabbah). 
• Read books/articles and watch YouTube videos [Editor: see Noahide Academy of Israel YouTube channel] about teshuvah.
• Correct mistakes of the past year whenever possible, for example, by making up for disputes, returning borrowed [forgotten] items, etc. 

Let’s look back at the text of the Mishna for a moment: 

“Rosh Hashanah they all go before him like sheep of the sheepfold, as it is written, ” He forms their hearts as one, he understands all their deeds.” 

On Rosh Hashanah, the Eternal One looks at each person individually according to his deeds. Each person is therefore responsible for his own judgment. But how then should we read “He forms their hearts as one, He understands all their deeds”? Rashi explains in his commentary on this Mishna that the Eternal One also judges the world as a whole on this day. Just as the scale for positive/negative judgment applies to a person, it also applies to the entire society. Therefore, teshuvah is not only important for you personally. One’s goals, achievements, and shortcomings affect the whole world! Because one extra act of teshuvah can influence the judgement of the whole society, of the whole world positively/negatively.  

Our efforts during the month of Elul are important to bring about the ultimate goal of creation — the unity between G-d and the world in the Era of Messiah. As we strengthen and expand our connection with the Eternal One, we bring Redemption closer. A good start [hopefully] leads to a good result. 

In any case, let us set an example for those around us. So that eventually “the world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d as the waters cover the ocean floor”. (Isaiah 11:19) 

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Used with kind permission of Noahide Academy of Israel, the #1 online Jewish Academy for everyone. Study the Torah’s Noahide Code with our expert Rabbis and connect with a global community!  Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy.