Learn everything you need to know about Rosh Chodesh (the New Moon) and the importance of this monthly appointed time. Learn more...

שבט : Shevat

The Trees of Shevat

As winter drones on, one often feels that the cold will never end. Thoughts of the warm sunshine and colors of vegetation seem like a distant memory. For those in more snowy climates, cabin fever takes effect. But as we enter into the month of Shevat, particularly those in the Land of Israel, we know that winter is coming to an end. Typically, the rainy season in Israel is over by Shevat and crops and plant life begin to emerge once again. It was for this reason that the sages of old declared Tu B'Shevat (15th of Shevat) as a...
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טבת : Tevet

The Difficulties of Tevet

Tevet is the tenth month of the biblical calendar year. The name "Tevet" is the Babylonian name of the month. In the Bible, it is referred to both as "the tenth month" as well as "Tevet," as in Esther 2:16, "And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal palace in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth..." As we enter the month of Tevet, we are still in the midst of the celebration of Hanukkah. For the first few days of the month, we are reminded of the victory in the days of the Maccabees....
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