
Torah Calendar
7-20 Shevat 5783
January 29-February 11, 2023
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
"Even
though Israel has no MAZAL (constellation),
D'LI is Israel's Mazal!"
Tuesday January 31 / 9 Shevat
On Tuesday of the week of Shabbat Beshalach, 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 without knowledge of Hebrew or access to the Aramaic may read the passage in their own language.
TU
BISHVAT, New Year of the Trees
will be
on Sunday night-Monday February
5-6.
Don't forget to prepare a selection of fruits
with which to celebrate Tu BiShvat
through the recital of many blessings!!!
In some communities
it is customary to organize
a collection to provide fruits for Tu Bishvat
for those who cannot afford to buy their own.
Tuesday night-January 31-February 1 / 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,
(Mo-ed LeKol Chai)
Friday night-Saturday
February 3-4 / 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.
Saturday night-Sunday February 4-5 / 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 5-6 / 15 Shevat
TU B'-SHVAT New Year of the Tree
In order to multiply blessings on Tu B'Shvat, 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.
Friday night-Saturday
February 10-11 / 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.
"Even though Israel has no MAZAL (constellation), D'LI is Israel's Mazal!
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