When Do Selichot Begin in 2025? Sephardic and Ashkenazi Customs

As the month of Elul approaches, Jewish communities across the world prepare for the Yamim Nora’im — the Days of Awe. One of the most important ways we prepare spiritually is through Selichot, the prayers of repentance and forgiveness. But when do we begin Selichot? The answer depends on whether one follows Sephardic or Ashkenazi custom.

Sephardic Custom: From Rosh Chodesh Elul

In 2025, 1 Elul 5785 falls on Monday, August 25, 2025. Sephardic communities begin reciting Selichot that very morning (Monday, August 25) and continue every day through 9 Tishrei (October 2, 2025), the eve of Yom Kippur.

This practice gives a full 40 days of repentance prayers:

• Elul 1 (Mon, Aug 25, 2025) → beginning of Selichot and daily shofar blasts.

• 10 Tishrei (Fri, Oct 3, 2025) → Yom Kippur, culmination of 40 days.

The 40-day period mirrors Moshe Rabbeinu’s time on Mount Sinai seeking forgiveness for Israel after the golden calf, ending on Yom Kippur when Hashem granted pardon.

Ashkenazi Custom: Beginning Before Rosh Hashanah

For Ashkenazim, the start of Selichot depends on the calendar: they begin on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah (or one week earlier if Rosh Hashanah begins on a Monday or Tuesday).

• In 2025, Rosh Hashanah (1 Tishrei 5786) begins at sundown on Monday, September 22, 2025.

• Because it falls on a Monday night, Ashkenazim begin Selichot more than a week earlier: Saturday night, September 13, 2025 (20 Elul 5785).

The first Ashkenazi Selichot is recited at chatzot halailah (halachic midnight) — around 12:45 a.m. local time in many places, depending on location. This follows the tradition that King David rose at midnight to sing praises to Hashem.

After this first midnight gathering:

• From Sunday morning, September 14 (21 Elul 5785) until Monday morning, September 22 (29 Elul 5785), Selichot are said daily in the early morning before Shacharit.

This ensures at least four days of Selichot before Rosh Hashanah, paralleling the requirement to inspect a korban (sacrifice) for four days before offering.

The Practice of Benei Avraham

At Benei Avraham, we generally follow Sephardic halachah and practice, beginning Selichot from the first day of Elul (Aug 25, 2025). This allows us to join the full 40-day path of teshuvah, reminding us each morning of our sacred calling to prepare for the High Holy Days with humility, repentance, and prayer.