Men's Elul Chavura

1. MEN'S ELUL CHAVURA tab:

Home page with explanations of what the program is, how it works, and how anyone can benefit from being part of this annual effort. FAQ's and Answers are available. Section to sign up and register. Comments from members in past years.

2. TEHILLIM tab:

(Section 1) Provides a 40-day calendar showing English and Hebrew dates, with each member's due date for D'var Torah and Tzedaka.

(Section 2) View or print a personalized Tehillim Track schedule for all 40-days of the program.

(Section 3) See how 150 perakim of sefer Tehillim are broken into 40 portions for reciting Tehillim during the 40 day program.

(Reader) Sefer Tehillim is available to be recited from the website.

3. MEMBERS tab:

Displays the name of all participants in the program for the current year, including their Hebrew name along with their parents' Hebrew names for others to daven for them, where they reside, and the day their D'var Torah and Tzedaka are due. Each member can also view and print their personal Tehillim Track schedule.

4. D'VAR TORAHS tab:

Submit your D'var Torah on this page any time before the due date.

Your D'var will be approved by an Administrator and will be viewable on the due date.

5. DEDICATE tab:

Opportunity for anyone to dedicate all or part of the Tehillim recited, D'var Torahs sent, and/or Tzedaka given in honor or memory of anyone of their choosing.

Jewish sources tell us that Moshe Rebbeinu ascended Mount Sinai on Rosh Chodesh Elul to receive the 2nd set of stone tablets (luchos) after the sin of the Golden Calf (Cheit ha'Eigel). He remained on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights, coming down on Yom Kippur when Gd granted complete forgiveness to the Jewish people. Since Gd showed supreme mercy and accepted repentence during those original 40 days, the corresponding 40-day span on the annual calendar became established as Yemei Ratzon (Days of Favor) and a propitious time for Teshuva (return and repentance). In addition, the high holiday Machzor tells us that 'Tefilla, Teshuva, Tzedaka tear up an evil decree.' The creator of this program determined that Tefilla = Tehillim, Teshuva = D'var Torah, and Tzedaka = Tzedaka.

Absolutely! The Chavura welcomes Jewish men of all backgrounds. Ask questions and be supported through the whole journey.

We all start on Rosh Chodesh Elul (Alef) and end on Yom Kippur. For this year we will start on Thursday, August 13 and end on Monday, September 21.

This depends on the individual. The main requirement daily is to recite the Tehillim chapters on your personal schedule. This can average approximately 5-7 minutes. Reading D'var Torahs is done at your own pace.

You are assigned to a specific Tehillim Track or schedule. This means you will start reciting Tehillim on Rosh Chodesh Elul (Alef) from the chapters corresponding to your Track #. From there you continue progressing daily to the next set of chapters until you eventually complete sefer Tehillim on Yom Kippur. A personal Tehillim schedule will be available to you on the website for view and can be printed. In addition, you will receive daily emails indicating the chapters you are to recite that day.

This is a personal choice. You are welcome to recite Tehillim in any language you are comfortable with. For further guidance we encourage you to speak with your LOR.

We are not particular about this (Hebrew vs. secular calendar). The aim of the program is for each person to complete their daily Tehillim assignment so the sefer is completed collectively each day.

No. You start saying Tehillim on Rosh Chodesh Elul (Alef).

No. You say a different portion of Tehillim every day. The schedule you follow is listed on your Track sheet.

You can upload it directly onto the website under the "D'var Torahs" tab at the top or you can email it to MensElulChavura@gmail.com.

Yes.

You will give Tzedaka one time on the same day your D'var Torah is due, to any cause and any amount. If you would like, you can let us know what cause you gave to.