Elul ~ Grapes ענבם anavim

In ancient times, on both the 15th of Av and on Yom Kippur, unmarried women danced in the vineyards seeking husbands. This dancing is done to encourage the grapes to ripen for the fall harvest. Elul sits between these two holidays and is traditionally a time for preparation for the high holidays. We offer grape here as a sign of fertility (notice a theme in Jewish plants?) and joy in preparation. Grapes bring to mind lusciousness and abundance. This vine also provides nourishment in her leaves. Each fruit has tang, especially when not fully ripe as they are in Elul. This tang can awaken our spirits to rise to the task of reviewing our year and looking within at how we can grow our souls and lives. In this way, we ripen ourselves.