Torah Calendar
8-21 Tevet, 5786
December 28, 2025-January 10, 2026
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
Sunday December 28 / 8 Tevet
Seventy Torah sages produced a translation of the Torah into Greek (the "Septuagint") for King Ptolemy, causing three days of darkness to fall upon the world.
Sunday night-Monday December 28-29 / 9 Tevet
Today is the anniversary of the death of Ezra the Scribe.
Monday night December 29 / Eve of 10 Tevet
Tonight and tomorrow is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Nosson of Breslov (1780-1844), outstanding student and scribe of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. The Yahrzeit is traditionally celebrated by the Breslover Chassidim with a festive meal this evening accompanied with singing, Torah study and words of inspiration.
Tuesday
December 30 / 10 Tevet
FAST OF TEVET
The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet is observed from dawn until nightfall in memory of Nebuchadnezzar's laying siege to Jerusalem prior to the destruction of the First Temple. May we merit to see the fulfilment of the prophecy that "...the fast of the tenth month [Tevet] will be for the house of Judah for happiness and for joy and for festivals, and love truth and peace" (Zechariah 8:19).
Friday night-Saturday
January 2-3 / 14 Tevet
Shabbat Parshat VAYECHI
Torah
Reading: Gen.
47:28-50:26. Haftara: I
Kings 2:1-12.
Parents blessing their children after the Friday night prayers prior to the
Shabbat evening meal should do so with special intent tonight as this week's
parshah contains Jacob's blessings to his sons and grandsons, including the
verse with which fathers customarily bless their sons, "May G-d make you
like Ephraim and Menasheh" (Genesis 48:20). The customary blessing for
girls, "May G-d make you like Sarah and Rebecca, Rachel and Leah" is
also based on this verse.
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.
Sunday January
4 / 15 Tevet
SHOVAVIM
Today is the first day of the period of SHOVAVIM named after the initial letters of the parshiyot of the coming 6 Shabbatot -- Shemot, Va-eira, Bo, Beshallach, Yitro and Mishpatim. The name also refers to Jeremiah 3:14, "Repent, O backsliding (shovavim) children", and is also alluded to in the initial Hebrew letters of the opening words of this week's parshah, "And these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt" (Exodus 1:1): "Ve-eleh Shemot Bney Yisrael haBa'im Mitzrayimah".
Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the "ARI", taught that this six week period (especially each Shabbat) is particularly propitious for rectifying the blemishes of the soul, especially in the realm of Yesod (the "foundation", i.e. sexual purity), as well as for prayers to rectify our personality traits, to sanctify our vision and hearing and other faculties,. and to guard against anger, pride and depression.
Since the whole Shovavim period lasts six weeks=42 days, it is good to add to one's Torah study "and speak about them" (i.e. about the commandments, Deut. 6:7), ve-dibarta BaM: the numerical value of Beit-Mem is 42. During the Shovavim period, some Breslover Chassidim have the custom of abstaining from all animal-derived foods every Thursday (and in some cases, every Monday as well) except at a circumcision or other mitzva feast.
Tuesday night-Wednesday January 6-7 / 18 Tevet
Today is the yahrzeit of Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Dinov (1783-1841), known as the Bney Yissaschar after the title of his beloved profound kabbalistic book about the months, seasons and festivals of the Torah year, one of the earliest Chassidic works.
Friday
night-Saturday January 9-10
/ 21 Tevet
Shabbat Parshat SHEMOT
Torah Reading: Exodus 1:1-6:1; Haftara: Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23 (Sephardi ritual: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3). As we embark on the story of the Exodus from Egypt, it is proper to study the weekly parshahs that speak about this with special attention in preparation for retelling the story on the Seder night on the coming festival of Pesach, less than 3 months away.