Rosh Hashana LaBehemot

Rosh Hashanah LaBehemot (New Year for Animals) falls on the 1st of Elul. According to the Mishnah, this date serves as the new year for tithing animals — all animals born before this date belong to one tithing year, and those born after belong to the next. It is one of four new years mentioned in the Talmud.

While animal tithing is not practiced today without the Temple, the 1st of Elul marks the beginning of the month-long period of repentance leading to Rosh Hashanah. In Ashkenazi communities, the shofar is blown daily throughout Elul (except Shabbat and Erev Rosh Hashanah), and Psalm 27 is added to daily prayers.