Torah Calendar
13-26 Tishri 5786
October 5-18, 2025
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
Attributes of the month of Elul: Ruling permutation of the letters of HAVAYAH: KEH KEH VAV YOD, contained in the final Hebrew letters of the words of the verse ootzedakaH tihyeH lanOO kI "and it shall be righteousness to us when..." (Deut 6:25). The month's corresponding letter is: YOD; Human attribute: ACTION; Body Part: LEFT HAND ; Tribe: GAD; Constellation: BETULAH (Virgo, the Maiden).
Saturday night-Sunday September 20-21 / 28 Elul
Anniversary of the death of King Saul and his three sons at the battle of Mt Gilboa.
Monday September 22 / 29
Elul
Eve of Rosh Hashanah
It is customary to rise in the small hours of the night for the lengthy pre-dawn Selichot, known as Brit Yitzhak ("the Covenant of Isaac"), the last service of supplicatory prayers before the Day of Judgment. At the conclusion of the morning service, the Shofar is not blown. It is customary to formally annul any vows one may have made: this is done before a Beit Din of three adult males (not necessarily rabbis) according to the formula printed in the Selichot and Rosh Hashanah Machzor. Many fast today until after midday. It is customary to pray at the graves of the Tzaddikim and to give a sum of money to a righteous person for Pidyon Nefesh, "redemption of the soul". There is an ancient custom of purchasing a knife on the eve of Rosh Hashanah as a propitious segulah for livelihood. Where possible males should immerse in a mikveh in preparation for Rosh Hashanah.
"Finished are the old year and its curses! Let the New Year and its blessings begin!" Leshanah Tova Tikatevu Vetichatemu -- May you be inscribed and sealed for a Good Year! |
The Molad of Tishri is on Monday September 22 / 29 Elul at 12:10 and 7 chalakim p.m.
Attributes of the month of Tishri: Ruling permutation of the letters of HAVAYAH: VAV KEH YOD KEH, contained in the final Hebrew letters of the words of the verse vayir'U otaH sareY par'oH, "and the ministers of Pharaoh saw her" (Genesis 11:29). The month's corresponding letter is: LAMED; Human attribute: COITION; Body Part: GALL BLADDER; Tribe: JOSEPH; Constellation: MOZNA'IM (Libra, the Scales).
Monday October 6 / 14
Tishri
Eve of Succot
There is no better preparation for the coming festival of Succot than to provide food and other festival needs for the needy, and it is customary to give charity generously today. In addition to preparing the Succah for the evening meal, it is advisable to prepare the Etrog, Lulav, Hadass and Aravot before Yom Tov since the latter three must be tied together (symbolizing unity) and tying a knot is forbidden on Yom Tov though a bow is permissible.
Monday night-Tuesday October
6-7 / 15 Tishri
First day of the Festival of Succot
On the first night of Succot it is a Torah mitzvah to eat bread in the Succah (corresponding to the mitzvah of eating Matzah on the first night of Pesach) in memory of the Exodus from Egypt and the Clouds of Glory with which G-d encompassed Israel in the wilderness. Information about the laws, customs and prayers of Succot is available in the festival prayer book (Machzor) and on Internet by courtesey of ChaBaD.
On the first morning of the
festival many endeavor to make the blessing
over the Four Kinds as early as possible,
before the morning prayers, preferably
in the Succah. The Haftara reading in the
synagogue is Zechariah
chapter 14, which speaks about the
War of Gog and Magog, which will take place
on the festival of Succot.
The first day of Succot is the anniversary of the birth and death of the patriarch
Jacob.
Tuesday night-Wednesday
October 7-8 / 16 Tishri
Second day of Succot
In Israel today is the first day of Chol HaMoed, the intermediate days of the festival, when necessary labors are permitted. However, in the Diaspora today is observed as the second day of Yom Tov.
In memory of the Temple ceremony of Simchat Beit Hasho'evah, drawing pure water from the Shiloah spring on the southern slope of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem for the unique water libation on the Temple altar each day of Succot, it is customary on each of the nights of Chol HaMoed to gather in the synagogue for the recital of Psalms 120-134 to the accompaniment of music, song, dance and joy. It is said that Jonah came to prophecy through the joy of the Temple Simchat Beit Hasho'evah.
Both in Israel and the Diaspora, the Four Kinds are taken today. Many endeavor to make the blessing over the Four Kinds as early after the sunrise as possible, even before one's morning prayers, preferably in the Succah.
Thursday night-Friday October
9-10 / 18 Tishri
Fourth day of Succot
Today is the Yahrzeit of the outstanding Chassidic luminary, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810). His followers customarily gather for a festive meal accompanied by singing and dancing and words of encouragement to practice his teachings.
Friday night-Saturday October
10-11 / 19 Tishri
Shabbat Chol HaMoed
The Arba Minim (Four Kinds:
Lulav, Etrog, Hadass and Arava) are not
taken on Shabbat. It is customary to read Kohelet (Ecclesiastes)
in the synagogue prior to the Torah reading.
The special Shabbat Chol HaMoed Torah reading
(Exodus 33:12-34:26) and Haftara (Ezekiel
38:18-39:16 on the war of Gog and Magog)
are found in the festival prayer book (Machzor).
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman, the Gaon
of Vilna (1720-97).
Sunday night-Monday October
12-13 / 21 Tishri
Hoshana Rabbah
Many follow the custom of staying awake for all or most of the night of Hoshana Rabba, when the entire book of Deuteronomy and the entire book of Psalms are read. After the morning Shacharit prayer and Hallel, it is customary for all those in the synagogue who have the Four Kinds to circuit the Torah reading desk seven times while reciting the Hoshana prayers, after which the congregation offer prayers for redemption and for rainfall. At the conclusion of these prayers it is an ancient custom instituted by the prophets to take five willow branches and beat them five times on the floor.
| According to an oral tradition received from the Baal Shem Tov, one should make every effort to pray with proper concentration on Hoshana Rabbah, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, and this is conducive to prayer with proper concentration throughout the year. |
In the afternoon of Hashana Rabbah it is proper to partake of some refreshment with the appropriate blessings in the Succah prior to leaving for the last time to go back into the house. On leaving the Succah it is fitting to recite the special prayer printed in the festival prayer book. Some have the custom of kissing the very walls of the Succah as they leave as an expression of love for the mitzvah.
Monday night-Tuesday October
13-14 / 22 Tishri
Shemini Atzeret, "Eighth day of Solemn Assembly"
Simchat Torah (Israel)
Both Israel and Diaspora communities celebrate today as Shemini Atzeret, with Yizkor prayers for the departed and the Prayer for Rain, but the Diaspora communities celebrate Simchat Torah separately on Tuesday night and Wednesday. The Shemini Atzeret Torah reading in Diaspora communities is Deuteronomy 14:22 - 16:17 & Numbers 29:35 - 30:1 and the Haftara is I Kings 8:54-9:1.
In Israel today is Simchat Torah and the Torah Reading is the concluding portion of the Torah, VE-ZOS HABRACHAH, Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12. Additional reading: Genesis 1:1-2:3. Maftir: Numbers 29:35-30:1. Haftara: Joshua 1:1-18. Thus the communities in Israel conclude the book of Deuteronomy and thereby complete the annual cycle of the Torah reading, after which we immediately initiate the new cycle with the reading of the first chapter of Genesis.
Both on Monday night after the evening service and on Tuesday morning before the Torah reading, it is customary to bring all the Torah scrolls in the synagogue out of the ark and to dance with them in a series of seven Hakafot ("circuits") around the synagogue. It is appropriate to take advantage of this joyous time for our own prayers in our own words "to learn, teach, guard and practice" the Torah. Many communities hold additional Hakafot on Yom Tov afternoon and on the following evening.
Tuesday night-Wednesday
October 14-15 / 23 Tishri
Simchat Torah (Diaspora); Isru Chag (Israel)
Diaspora Torah Reading for Simchas Torah (in Diaspora): VE-ZOS HABRACHAH, Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12. Additional reading: Genesis 1:1-2:3. Maftir: Numbers 29:35-30:1. Haftara: Joshua 1:1-18. See yesterday's entry for Simchat Torah customs.
In Israel, where today is the first weekday after the conclusion of the festival season, it is proper to draw the spirit of the Tishri holidays into the rest of the year by observing Isru Chag with festive dress and meals.
Thursday October 16 /
24 Tishri
Isru Chag (Diaspora)
It is proper for those in the Diaspora to draw the spirit of the Tishri holidays into the days of the year by observing Isru Chag today with festive dress and meals.
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polonnoye (d. 1784) leading student of the Baal Shem Tov and author of the first chassidic work, the Toldos Yaakov Yosef, and of Rabbi Chaim Zanvill Abramovitz, the saintly Ribnitzer (or Rimnitzer) Rebbe (1902-95).
Friday night-Saturday October
17-18 / 26 Tishri
Shabbat BEREISHIT
Torah Reading: Genesis
1.1-6.8. Haftara: Isaiah
42:5–43:10
Shabbat Mevorachim blessing the coming month of Marcheshvan. Rosh Chodesh will
be on Tuesday night, Wednesday and Thursday October 21-23. The Molad (junction
of the sun and the moon) will be on Wednesday October 22 at 12:54 and 8 chalakim
a.m.
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev (1740-1809), the great Chassidic luminary and beloved advocate of the Jewish people.