Torah Calendar
10-23 Kislev, 5786
November 30-December 13, 2025
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
Tuesday night-Wednesday December 2-3 / 13 Kislev
Today is the yahrzeit of the Talmudic Amora Ravina, who completed the work of his teacher, Rav Ashi, in editing the Babylonian Talmud. Because Ravina's father died young, he was taught Torah by his mother.
Wednesday night-Thursday December 3-4 / 14 Kislev
Today is the birthday and yahrzeit of Reuven, son of Jacob and Leah.
In the holy city of Hebron today is celebrated as "Purim of the Window" because in 1741 the Turkish governor imposed a levy of 50,000 grush on the Jews of the city threatening to wipe them out if they did not pay within three days. After three days of communal fasting the beadle of the synagogue discovered a purse on the window sill containing the necessary sum in full.
Thursday night-Friday December 4-5 / 15 Kislev
Today is the yartzeit of "Rebbi", Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi (Rabbi Judah "the Prince"), 2nd century compiler of the Mishnah, direct descendant of King David via Hillel, and head of the Sanhedrin in the time of the Roman Emperor Antoninus, who was his personal friend.
Friday night-Saturday
December 5-6 / 16 Kislev
Shabbat VAYISHLACH
Torah reading: Gen. 32:.4-36:43. Haftara: Obadiah 1:1-21
Sunday night-Monday December 7-8 / 18 Kislev
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Baruch of Medzeboz (1757-1810) son of the Baal Shem Tov's daughter Adil and uncle of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. It is also the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Levy Yitzchak Horowitz, the Bostoner Rebbe (1921-2009).
Monday night-Tuesday December 8-9 / 19 Kislev
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezeritch (c.1704-1772), first leader and propagator of Chassidus after the death of Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov.
Today is also the anniversary of the liberation of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liady, founder of Chabad Chassidus, after being imprisoned by the Russian government in St Petersburg on false charges. It is celebrated as a joyous festival and is regarded as "the New Year of Chassidus", when Chassidim greet one another: "May you be signed and sealed for a good year in the study and practice of the ways of Chassidus!". On the same Hebrew date in 2004 the Iraqi tyrant Sadaam Hussein was captured.
Thursday December 11 / 21 Kislev
In the time of the Second Temple, today was celebrated as a festival marking the anniversary of the day when Shimon HaTzaddik, the High Priest, went out in his priestly robes to meet Alexander of Macedon, who on the instigation of the Samaritans was marching to Jerusalem to destroy the Temple. On seeing Shimon HaTzaddik approaching, Alexander dismounted his horse and bowed, recognizing him as the figure he always saw before him whenever he was victorious in battle, and he relented.
Friday December 12 / 22 Kislev
Chanukah begins on Sunday night 2 December. Some have the custom of preparing the Chanukah candalabrum today - three days before the festival.
Friday night-Saturday
November 12-13 / 23 Kislev
Shabbat Parshat VAYEISHEV
Shabbat MEVARCHIN blessing the coming month of Tevet
Torah reading: Gen. 37:1-40:23 telling the story of Joseph's sale into slavery in Egypt. Haftara: Amos 2:6-3:8. After the synagogue Torah reading, we bless the coming month of Tevet. Rosh Chodesh will be on the coming Friday night-Saturday-Sunday December 19-21. The molad (junction of the sun and the moon) is on Shabbat December 20, 2025 at 2:22 and 10 chalakim a.m.
Saturday night-Sunday
December 13-14 / 24 Kislev
Eve of Chanukah
On the Eve of Chanukah it is good to make an early start to the day. One should prepare the Chanukah lamp in good time for candle-lighting. It is also good to have any special Chanukah foods etc. ready before candle-lighting so as to be free to enjoy the lights after they are lit, to sing Chanukah songs, tell about the miracle and celebrate with dear ones.
Today is the anniversary
of the prophecy of Haggai (2:10ff) taunting
the priests into learning the
laws of the Temple and telling
Zerubavel, leader of Judah, that the
kingdoms of the earth will be overthrown
for the sake of Melech Mashiach his
descendant.