What are Selichot? Selichot are special prayers for forgiveness. When are they said? They are usually said on fast days, which are occasions when the Jewish People needs special forgiveness for sin. They are also said during the period preceding Yom Kippur, which is obviously also such an occasion. In the Sephardic tradition, Selichot are […]

Although we are all familiar with the Rosh HaShanah, the “Head of the Year,” which occurs in the Fall, there are actually four Rosh HaShanah’s which define, to an extent, the Hebrew calendar. They are as follows: 1. First of Nisan – This is the month about which Moshe was commanded in Egypt, “This month […]

The name “Kislev” is of Babylonian origin. In the Tanach (Bible), Kislev is referred to as the ninth month, as it is the ninth month after Nisan. Although most famous for having Chanukah within it, Kislev is also a month with significant Biblical happenings. The first rainbow, observed after the Flood, was seen in Kislev. […]

“Elul” is the Sixth Month of the year, counting from “Nisan,” called in the Chumash, “the first month.” Counting from “Tishrei”, the month of Rosh HaShanah, “Elul” is the twelfth, and last month in the year. Like the names of the other months of the Hebrew Calendar, “Elul came up”, or “returned with,” those Jews […]

“Elul” is the Sixth Month of the year, counting from “Nisan,” called in the Chumash, “the first month.” Counting from “Tishrei”, the month of Rosh HaShanah, “Elul” is the twelfth, and last month in the year. Like the names of the other months of the Hebrew Calendar, “Elul came up”, or “returned with,” those Jews […]

And Aharon the Priest went up to Hor Hahar at the command of G-d, and he died there in the fortieth year after the Jewish People had left Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first of the month.” (BaMidbar 33:38) “Return us to You, O L-rd, and we will return; Renew our days as […]

“And He brought me to the entrance at the Gate of the House of the L-rd which was at the north; and there were there women sitting, bewailing the Tammuz” (Yechezkel 8:14)

“In the third month after the Exodus of the Jewish People from Egypt, on that very day, they came to the Desert of Sinai” (Shemot 19:1) Name of the Month “Sivan” is the Babylonian name of this month, as are all of the “official” names of the months in the Hebrew Calendar. In the Bible, […]

“In the third month after the Exodus of the Jewish People from Egypt, on that very day, they came to the Desert of Sinai” (Shemot 19:1) Special Biblical Significance of Rosh Chodesh Sivan Jewish Tradition says that “that very day” refers to Rosh Chodesh Sivan. About that day it is written, “And the People of […]

The name “Iyar” is, like the others in the Hebrew Calendar, of Babylonian origin. The Torah itself refers to the month as the “Second Month,” with relation to Nisan, the First of the Months. It is also referred to in the Bible (Melachim Aleph, Ch. 6) as “Chodesh Ziv,” meaning the Month of Splendor.” This […]