According to traditional chronology this time of self-introspection and self-improvement corresponds to the 40 days which Moses spent on Mount Sinai when he received the Torah the second time around.

The Kaballists understand that the initial letters of Ellul - aleph, lamed, vav, lamed as an acronym for "ani l'dodi v'dodi li" ("I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine"), a verse which is taken from the Song of Songs.

The motnth of Ellul is when we can recognise the obstacles which impede our relation with God. By taking steps to renew them we can renew that connection.

Teshuva
Teshuva is one of the three spiritual practices which we are called on to intensify in the run-up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The others are 'tefilah' and 'tzedakah'.

Commonly translated as "repentance" it literally means "turning". We have the power to turn away from particular actions, habits, personality traits or lifestyles and adopt new ones which are closer to God's will and our higher selves. Change may be difficult but not impossible.

There are three essential steps to teshuva. To articulate in words what we have done and wish to alter; to regret the past; to resolve to act differently in the future.

If we have caused harm to another person there are two extra steps. To ask forgiveness and to make amends.

The Talmud says that Yom Kippur atones for interpersonal misdeeds only when we have first made peace with the person we have wronged.