Torah Calendar
7-20 Shevat, 5786
January 25-February 7, 2026
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
""Even though
Israel has no MAZAL (constellation),
D'LI is Israel's Mazal!"
Tuesday January 27 / 9 Shevat
On Tuesday of the week of Shabbat Beshallach, it is propitious for one's livelihood to read the Torah portion about the Giving of the Manna in the Wilderness (Exodus 16:4-36) twice in Hebrew and once in the Aramaic Targum (Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Riminov d. 1815). Those who do not know Aramaic may read the passage in their own native language vernacular.
Tuesday night-Wednesday January 27-28 / 10 Shevat
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Shalom Sharabi, the "RaShaSh" (1720-77), author of Siddur HaKavvanot Kabbalistic prayerbook, and of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak, the "Frierdiker (=previous) Rebbe" of Lubavitch (1880-1950). On 10 Shevat 1951 Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shneerson of Lubavitch formally became Rebbe in succession to his father-in-law, the Friedriche Rebbe.
(Mo-ed LeKol Chai)
Friday night-Saturday January 30-31 / 13 Shevat
Shabbat Parshat BESHALACH
SHABBAT SHIRAH
Torah Reading: BESHALACH (Exodus
13:17-17:16) telling the story of the crossing of the Red Sea, the
Song (Shirah) sung by Israel after the miracle, their entry into
the Wilderness, receiving the first commandments, the Manna and the
war with Amalek. Haftara: Judges
4:4-5:31 Song of Debora.
One should pray with particular joy and song
on this auspicious Shabbat. In the morning service, many
communities sing the Song of the Sea together verse by
verse. Some have the custom of eating cooked wheat or buckwheat
kernels in memory of the Manna. Some have the custom of
scattering breadcrumbs for the birds in reward for their
singing.
"Even though Israel has no MAZAL (constellation), D'LI is Israel's Mazal!"
Saturday night-Sunday January 31-February 1 / 14 Shevat
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Daniel Frisch (d. 2005), author of the Matok Midvash ("Sweeter than Honey") Hebrew commentary on the Zohar and Tikkuney Zohar.
Sunday night-Monday February 1-2 / 15 Shevat
TU BI-SHVAT New Year of the Tree
In order to multiply blessings on Tu BiShvat, it is customary to eat many different kinds of fruits, particularly, where possible, the seven fruits for which the land of Israel is praised in Deut. 8:8: - wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Many have the custom of setting a table laden with many varieties of fruits and other good foods, sitting with family and friends to make the appropriate blessings over bread, wine, cakes or crackers and various fruits. Some review and discuss the halachot relating to the different blessings, and some follow a printed "Seder" ("Order") of Tu BiShvat reciting Biblical, Mishnaic and Kabbalistic passages relating to the various fruits.
Please carefully check dried and other fruits to ensure there are no worms or bugs etc. in the food you eat and feed to your family and friends.
It is proper to pray today for a valid and beautiful Etrog (citron) with which to perform the mitzvah of the Four Kinds this coming Succoth. Some eat candied Etrog on Tu BiShvat and recite the prayer then.
(Mo-ed LeKol Chai)
Friday night-Saturday February 6-7 / 20 Shevat
Shabbat Parshat YITRO
Torah reading Parshat YITRO telling
the story of how Jethro came to join the Children of Israel in the
Wilderness, followed by the account of the Giving of the Torah at
Sinai and the Ten Commandments. The Haftara is Isaiah
6:1-7:6 & 9:5-6.
Every day, and particularly today, we should feel that we receive
the Torah afresh. This Shabbat many sing melodies associated with
the festival of Shavuot commemorating the Giving of the Torah, such
as Rabbi Nachman's melody for "Atah Nigleisa" ("You
were revealed.").
Today is the Yahrzeit of Asher son of Jacob.