On the last day of Av of the year 2448 from creation (1313 BCE), Moses carved, by G-d's command, two stone tablets -- each a cube measuring 6x6x3 tefachim (a tefach, "handbreadth", is approximately 3.2 inches) -- to replace the two divinely-made tablets, on which G-d had inscribed the Ten Commandments, which Moses had smashed 42 days earlier upon witnessing Israel's worship of the Golden Calf.
Today is the first of the two days of Rosh Chodesh (“Head of the Month”) for the month of Elul (when a month has 30 days, both the last day of the month and the first day of the following month serve as the following month’s Rosh Chodesh).
Special portions are added to the daily prayers: Hallel (Psalms 113-118) is recited—in its “partial” form—following the Shacharit morning prayer, and the Yaaleh Veyavo prayer is added to the Amidah and to Grace After Meals; the additional Musaf prayer is said (when Rosh Chodesh is Shabbat, special additions are made to the Shabbat Musaf). Tachanun (confession of sins) and similar prayers are omitted.
Many have the custom to mark Rosh Chodesh with a festive meal and reduced work activity. The latter custom is prevalent amongst women, who have a special affinity with Rosh Chodesh—the month being the feminine aspect of the Jewish calendar.
Some of the special Elul practices (see entries and links for tomorrow,
Links: About the shofar; Psalm 27, The High Holiday Anthem
Often, anxiety takes root because a person’s external character is incompatible with his or her inner self.
The anxiety may dwell upon other issues and obsessions—but none of these are the true underlying cause.
Most souls can tolerate a few inconsistencies. But others are sensitive to every nuance.
As soon as some aspect of their lifestyle is not attuned to the purity of the essential self, the entire person is thrown off balance.
That is why, for a Jew, being more careful about the mitzvot will often diminish anxiety.