Torah Calendar
11-24 Tishri
5785
October 13-26, 2024
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
Sunday October 13 / 11 Tishri
Today, the day following Yom Kippur, is called Shem HaShem ("the Name of HaShem", see Likutey Moharan II, 66) since His Name is "completed" through our Yom Kippur repentance and atonement. On this day, immediately following Moses' final descent from Mount Sinai, he instructed Israel to contribute to the building of the Sanctuary, which is itself a revelation of the Name of G-d. It is appropriate to engage oneself in building and preparing the Succah, which is a prototype of the Sanctuary.
Wednesday October 16 / 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 thus it is customary to give charity generously today. Prior to the beginning of Yom Tov one should prepare the Succah for the evening meal. The four kinds to be taken tomorrow morning should be prepared before the beginning of the festival since the Lulav, Hadass and Aravot must be tied together (symbolizing unity) but tying a knot is forbidden on Yom Tov, though a bow is permissible.
Eiruv Tavshilin (Diaspora): Since the two days of Yom Tov of Succot in Diaspora (Thursday-Friday October 17-18) are followed immediately by Shabbat, in order to cook on Yom Tov on Friday for the coming Shabbat, it is necessary to prepare Eiruv Tavshilin on Wednesday afternoon prior to the commencement of Yom Tov. For further information on the mitzva of Eiruv Tavshilin click here.
Wednesday night October
16-17 / 15 Tishri
First night of Succot
On the first night of Succot it is a Torah mitzvah to eat bread in the Succah (parallel 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.
Wednesday night-Thursday
16-17 October / 15 Tishri
First day of the Festival of Succot
Information about the laws,
customs and prayers of Succot is available
in the festival prayer book (Machzor) and
on Internet by
courtesey of ChaBaD.
Both in Israel and the Diaspora, the Arba Minim, 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.
The morning Synagogue Torah readings are Leviticus 22:26–23:44 and Numbers
29:12–16. The Haftara on first day of Succot 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.
Thursday night October 17 / 16 Tishri
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 Succot 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. Observance of Simchat Beit Hasho'evah starts in Israel tonight and in Diaspora after the departure of Shabbat, Saturday night 7 October.
Thursday night-Friday October
17-18 / 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. 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.
Friday night-Saturday October
18-19 / 17 Tishri
Shabbat Chol HaMo'ed, Sabbath of Intermediate Days of Succot
The Arba Minim (Four Kinds: Lulav, Etrog, Hadass and Arava) are not taken on Shabbat. Prior to the Torah reading in the synagogue it is customary to read Kohelet (Ecclesiastes). The Torah reading is Exodus 33:12–34:26 and Numbers 29:17–22.Today's Haftara reading is Ezekiel 38:18-39:16 which speaks about the War of Gog and Magog, which is destined to take place on Succot.
Saturday night-Sunday October
19-20 / 18 Tishri
Fourth day of Succot
Today is the 204th Yahrzeit of the outstanding Chassidic luminary, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810). R. Nachman-lovers all over the world will be gathering for special celebrations and festive meals (often held in the late afternoon on Sunday, corresponding to the time of the Rebbe's ascent from this world) accompanied by singing and dancing and words of encouragement to practice his teachings.
Sunday night-Monday October
20-21 / 19 Tishri
Fifth day of Succot
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman, the Gaon of Vilna (1720-97).
Tuesday night-Wednesday
October 22-23 / 21 Tishri
Seventh day of Succot, Hoshana Rabbah
Many follow
the custom of staying awake for all or
much 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 full 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 for salvation, after
which the congregation offer prayers for
redemption, rainfall and livelihood. 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.
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.
Eiruv Tavshilin (Diaspora): Since the two days of Yom Tov of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah (Thursday-Friday 12-13 October) are followed immediately by Shabbat, in order to cook on Yom Tov on Friday for the coming Shabbat, it is necessary to prepare Eiruv Tavshilin on Wednesday afternoon prior to the commencement of Yom Tov. For further information on the mitzvah of Eiruv Tavshilin click here.
Wednesday night-Thursday
October 23-24 / 22 Tishri
Shemini Atzeret, "Eighth day of Solemn Assembly" (all communities);
Simchat Torah (Israel)
Both Israel and Diaspora communities celebrate Shemini Atzeret today, with Yizkor prayers for the departed and the Prayer for Rain. However, the Diaspora communities celebrate Simchat Torah separately on Thursday night and Friday. 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 Five Books of Moses, 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 today 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 Wednesday night after the evening service and on Thursday morning before the Torah reading, it is customary in Israel 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.
Thursday night-Friday October
24-25 / 23 Tishri
Issru Chag (Israel); Simchat Torah (Diaspora)
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 Issru Chag with festive dress and meals.
In the Diaspora, Simchat Torah is celebrated today. 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.
Friday night-Saturday October
25-26 / 24 Tishri
Shabbat BEREISHIT & Shabbat Mevorachin
Issru Chag (Diaspora)
In the Diaspora today is
Issru Chag, a day to draw the holiness
of the festival into the days of the year.
After the conclusion of the season of the
High Holidays and Succot, this is the first "regular" Shabbat
of the New Year, and it is fitting to celebrate
with special joy in order to draw the holiness
of the beginning of the year into its continuation.
The weekly Torah Reading is BEREISHIT,
Genesis. 1.1-6.8.
Today is Shabbat Mevorachim when we bless the coming month
of Marcheshvan. Rosh Chodesh will be on Thursday night-Friday & Shabbat
October 31-Novembe
2. The Molad (junction of the sun and moon) will
be on Friday
November 1, 2024 at 4:05 and 14 chalakim p.m.
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).
Saturday night-Sunday October 26-27 / 25 Tishri
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev (1740-1809), the great Chassidic luminary and beloved advocate of the Jewish people.