Torah Calendar
29 Tevet-6 Shevat 5780
January 26-February 1, 2020
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
Attributes of the month of TEVET: Ruling permutation of the letters of HAVAYAH: KEH YOD KEH VAV, contained in the final Hebrew letters of the words of the verse [Gadlu] laYHVH eetY uneromemaH shemO , "[magnify] HaShem with me, and let us exalt His name ..." (Psalms 34:4). The month's corresponding letter is: AYIN; Human attribute: ANGER; Body Part: LIVER; Tribe: DAN; Constellation: GEDI (Capricorn, the Goat).
Sunday January 26 / 29
Tevet
Yom Kippur Katan
Today is observed as Yom Kippur Katan, a "small Day of Atonement" -- a day for introspection and repentance in preparation for the coming Rosh Chodesh (New Moon). Some fast from dawn to nightfall and recite a special service.
Shevat is the eleventh month of Jewish year. Corresponding permutation of the Tetragrammaton: HYVH deriving from the initial Hebrew letters of Leviticus 27:33, Homer Yemirenu Vehayah Hu, "…if he shall surely change it, then it shall be…" Corresponding letter of Aleph-Beis: Tzadi; Constellation: D'li (Aquarius, the Water Carrier); Body part: Korkevan=Stomach (Sefer Yetzirah).
"Even
though Israel has no MAZAL (constellation),
D'LI is Israel's Mazal!"
Sunday
night-Monday January 26-27 / 1 Shevat
Rosh Chodesh SHEVAT
Add Ya'aleh Veyavo for Rosh Chodesh in evening, morning and afternoon prayers and in Grace after Meals. Following the morning Shacharit prayer, "half" Hallel is recited. Torah Reading for Rosh Chodesh: Numbers 28:9-15; After the Torah reading we recite the additional Musaf prayer for Rosh Chodesh. It is appropriate to mark Rosh Chodesh with a festive meal.
The first day of Shevat is when Moses began his final discourses in Deuteronomy: "And in the fortieth year in the eleventh month on the first of the month Moses spoke to the children of Israel" (Deut. 1:3). The month of Shevat is therefore propitious for Torah study and understanding as signified by the sign of D'LI, a "bucket" pouring the waters of inspiration into the world.
According to the opinion of Beit Shammai, 1 Shevat is New Year of the Trees, although in practice we follow the opinion of Beit Hillel that this is observed on Tu BiShvat, 15 Shevat (Rosh Hashanah 2a). Start planning now for Tu Bishvat, which will be on Sunday night-Monday 20-21 January!
"During
the month of Shevat more than all of
the rest of the year, one should strive
to love peace and pursue peace between
each person and his fellow and between
each man and his wife"
(Mo-ed LeKol Chai)
Tuesday January 28 / 2 Shevat
On this day, some have the custom of observing
Ta'anit Dibbur, a "fast
from speaking", reading the book of Psalms and additional supplications.
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Meshulam Zusya of Hanipoli (1718-1800),
outstanding chassidic Tzaddik and student of the Maggid of Mezritch.
"On the day of reckoning, when they ask me, 'Why weren't you like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?' I won't be afraid. But when they ask me, 'Why weren't you like Zusya ?' - that's when I'll be afraid." - Reb Zusya
Wednesday night-Thursday 29-30 January 29-30 / 4 Shevat
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Avraham Kalisker (1741-1800),
a student of the Gaon of Vilna who joined the Chassidic movement as a follower
of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk and succeeded him as leader of the Chassidic
community of Eretz Israel. After meeting R. Avraham Kalisker in Israel, Rabbi
Nachman of Breslov declared that he had never seen a more perfect Tzaddik.
Today is also the Yahrzeit of the outstanding Tzaddik and Mekubal Rabbi
Israel Abuhatzeira, the Baba Sali (1890-1984).
Thursday night-Friday January 30-31 / 5 Shevat
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter, the "Sfas Emes" (1847-1905), Rebbe of Ger. He said that study of the Torah portions about the Exodus from Egypt saves Israel from the strictures of the final redemption!
"During
the month of Shevat more than all of the rest of the year,
one should strive to love peace and pursue peace between each
person and his fellow and between each man and his wife"
(Mo-ed LeKol Chai)
Friday
night-Saturday February 1 / 6 Shevat
Shabbat Parshat BO
Torah Reading: BO Exodus 10:1-13:16 telling
the story of the final plagues in Egypt, the Paschal sacrifice and the actual
Exodus.
Haftara: Jeremiah 46:13-28
"Even
though Israel has no MAZAL (constellation),
D'LI is Israel's Mazal!"
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