Torah Calendar
8-21 Sivan, 5786
May 24-June 6, 2026
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
Attributes of the month of Sivan: Ruling permutation of the letters of HAVAYAH: YOD VAV KEH KEH, contained in the initial Hebrew letters of Yedotav U-letzela Hamiskan Hasheinit - "...for its tenons and for the second side of the tabernacle..." (Exodus 26:19-20). The month's corresponding letter is: ZAYIN; Human attribute: MOTION; Body Part: LEFT FOOT; Tribe: ZEVULUN; Constellation: TE-OMIM (Gemini, the Twins).
Sunday May 24 / 8 Sivan
Diaspora: Issru Chag
On Issru Chag, the day after the conclusion of the festival, it is customary to wear festive clothing and eat a festive meal to allow the joy of Yom Tov to linger with and strengthen us as we return to our weekday lives.
Friday night-Saturday May 29-30 / 14 Sivan
Important Note: For the coming weeks until Saturday Julne 27 the Shabbat Diaspora Torah readings are out of sync with those in Israel. This is because the weekly Parshah was not read in Diaspora on Shabbat may 23 since it was observed as the second day of the festival of Shavuot, while in Israel, where only one day of Yom Tov is observed, the weekly Parshah was read on that Shabbat.
Israel: Shabbat
Parshat BEHA'ALOSCHA
Torah Reading: Numbers 8:1-12:16 describing the Sanctuary Menorah
and narrating how the Israelites began their journey in the Wilderness;
Haftara: Zechariah
2:14-4:7 describing Zechariah's vision of the heavenly Menorah.
Diaspora: Shabbat Parshat NASO
Torah reading Numbers
4:21 -7:89 -- the longest parshah in the Torah -- completes the account
of the duties of the Levites, giving certain commandments including the
law of the Sotah (unfaithful wife) and Nazirite, and describing the inauguration
of the Wilderness sanctuary. Haftara: Judges
13:2-25 telling the story of the birth of Samson, who was
a Nazirite.
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Chayim of Volozhyn (1749-1821,
outstanding student of the Gaon of Vilna).
Saturday night-Sunday May 30-31/ 15 Sivan
Yahrzeit of Judah son of Jacob.
Thursday night-Friday June 4-5 / 20 Sivan
The violent massacres of Jews in France and Germany by the Crusaders reached their climax on this day in 1171, and likewise the Chmielnitzki massacres in Poland-Ukraine reached their climax in 1648-9. Thereafter the Polish communities observed an annual commemorative fast on this day with the recital of special Selichot.
Friday night-Saturday June 5-6 / 21 Sivan
Israel: Shabbat Parshat SHELACH LECHA Torah Reading: Numbers 13:1-15:41 giving the account of the journey of the 12 Spies to the Land of Israel and the sin of the people in accepting the slanderous report of the 10 sinful spies. Haftara: Joshua 2:1-24.
Diaspora: Shabbat
Parshat BEHA'ALOSCHA
Torah Reading: Numbers 8:1-12:16 describing the Sanctuary Menorah
and narrating how the Israelites began their journey in the Wilderness;
Haftara: Zechariah
2:14-4:7 describing Zechariah's vision of the heavenly Menorah.