Thank you for joining me, on a 29 days journey as we undertake a “cheshbon nefesh,” “accounting of the soul.” We will ask questions covering 29 traits, or middot one for each day of the month of Elul. 

As we welcome the month of Elul, it is our time, to take the time for a deep soul searching, reflecting on the way we were, the way we are, and the way we would like to be, as a preparation for the coming Day of Judgement, ראש השנה, and Day of Atonement, יום כיפור. 

What is the meaning of Selichot?

During the month of Elul, Sephardic Jews around the world wake up before dawn, to recite the Selichot which consist of special prayers and poems. The word Selichot means “forgiveness”. We express our regret for committing all varieties of misdeeds over the last year. The Selichot are recited every day until the end of the Yamim Nora’iim.

The meaning of Adon Haselichot

“Adon HaSelichot” piyut calls God by 22 different names, it is an alphabetic acrostic – the first line beginning with alef and the final line with tav. One for each Hebrew letter. From Adon HaSelichot (Master of forgiveness) representing the first letter, Alef; to Tamim Deot (Complete in knowledge) representing the last letter, Tav.  The congregational response is : Chatanu lefanecha rachem ‘allenu, meaning: We have sinned before you, have mercy on us. This lovely melody is a traditional Eastern melody from Jerusalem. It reminds me of how much I love and enjoy Sephardic culture and music. The tune is upbeat, yet emotional as well.  I remember hearing my Grandpa, who was a cantor, singing “Adon Haselichot” as a little girl at our synagogue.    Click to listen to our performance “Adon Haselichot”  G’mar Chatimah Tovah, may we all be signed and sealed in the book of life! Much love, Rabbi Yakira

Adon ha-selichot, Bochen levavot Goleh amukot, Dover tsedakot
Chatanu lefanecha rachem ‘allenu (X2)

Hadur beniflaot, Vatik benechamot Zocher b’rit avot, Choker kelayot
Chatanu lefanecha rachem ‘allenu (X2)

Tov umetiv labriyot, Yodea kol nistarot Kovesh avonot, Lovesh tsedakot
Chatanu lefanecha rachem ‘allenu (X2)

Maleh zakhiyyot, Norah tehillot Soleach avonot, Oneh vatsarot
Chatanu lefanecha rachem ‘allenu (X2)

Poel yeshuot, TSofeh attidot Koreh hadorot, Rochev aravot Shomeatefillot, Tamim deot Chatanu lefanecha rachem ‘allenu (X2) This means: We have sinned before you, have mercy on us.

Adon Haselichot Translation

Master of forgiveness, Who examines hearts, Who reveals depths, Who speaks righteousness, We have sinned before you, have mercy on us.

Who is glorious in wonders, Who is eternal in consolations, Who remembers the covenant with our fathers, who delves into our innermost parts, We have sinned before you, have mercy on us.

Who is good and does good to living beings, Who knows all hidden matters, Who extinguishes wrongdoing, Who wears righteousness, We have sinned before you, have mercy on us.

Who is filled with merit, Who is awesome in praises, Who forgives wrongdoing, Who answers requests, We have sinned before you, have mercy on us.

Who works redemption, Who sees the future, Who calls out the generations, Who rides in the heavens, Who hears prayers, Who is pure in knowledge, We have sinned before you, have mercy on us.