Q & A - WITH RABBI RISKIN

Question: Why do Sephardim begin saying selichot (penitential prayers) on Rosh Chodesh Elul, while the Ashkenazim begin a mere four days before Rosh Hashana?

Answer:

There is a joke that the Sephardim must ask forgiveness for the entire Hebrew month of Elul in repentance for the fact that they eat kitniyot (legumes) on Pesach. But clearly, this is a joke that was started by Ashkenazi Jews who were jealous of not being able to eat the kitniyot as well...
 
In actuality, the reason for Sephardim saying slichot during the entire month of Elul stems from the Hebrew letters that make up the word Elul - aleph, lamed, vav, lamed -- and the corresponding acronym of “Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li” – that is, “I am to my beloved and my beloved is mine” – the prevailing sentiment in their preparation toward Rosh Hashana and the Ten Days of Repentance that precede Yom Kippur. According to the Sephardic custom, since we blow the shofar each morning on Elul, we must also say selichot.
 
The Ashkenazim, on the other hand, approach these days from a different perspective, maintaining that just as an animal intended for sacrifice in the Holy Temple must be checked for four days prior to its shechita, we too must check ourselves for four days prior to the “Yoma Arichta” – the “long day” [Rosh Hashana] – during which we read the portion of Akeidat Yitzchak, or the Sacrifice of Isaac.
 
In fact, if there are not four days between Motzai Shabbat and Rosh Hashana, Ashkenazim begin saying selichot a week before, thus saying the prayers for a week plus a few days, as was the case this year.