Torah Calendar
22 Tevet-6 Shevat, 5786
January 11-24, 2026
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
Sunday January 11 / 22 Tevet
Today begins the second week of the six-week SHOVAVIM period, named after the initial letters of the parshiyot of the Shabbatot of Shemot, Va-eira, Bo, Beshallach, Yitro and Mishpatim. The name also refers to Jeremiah 3:14, "Repent, O backsliding (shovavim) children". Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the "ARI", taught that this period (especially each Shabbat) is particularly propitious for rectifying the blemishes of the soul, especially in the realm of Yesod (the "foundation", i.e. moral purity), as well as for prayers to rectify our personality traits, to sanctify our vision and hearing etc. and guard against anger, pride and depression. It is good to add to one's Torah study, "and speak about them" (i.e. about the commandments, Deut. 6:7). 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.
Monday night-Tuesday January 12-13 / 24 Tevet
Today
is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi
Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812),
founder of the Chabad chassidic movement
and author of the Shulchan Aruch
HaRav halachic code and the chassidic
classic Tanya, after which he
is known as the Baal HaTanya.
Today is also the yahrzeit of Rabbi Naftali Katz (1649-1717),
chief rabbi of Posen and author of Semichat Chachamim on the reinstitution
of the Sanhedrin, and of Rabbi Eliahu Eliezer ben Reuven Dov Dessler (1897-1953),
dean of Ponovitch Yeshiva and author of Michtav MeEliyahu.
Friday night-Saturday
January 16-17 / 28 Tevet
Shabbat Parshat VA-EIRA
Shabbat Mevarchim SHEVAT
Torah Reading: Va-eira, Exodus 6:2-9:35; Haftara: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21. After today's Torah reading we bless the coming month of Shevat. Rosh Chodesh Shevat is on Sunday night-Monday January 18-19. The Molad (juncture of moon with the sun) will be on Monday January 18 at 15:06 and 11 chalakim p.m.
Sunday January 18 / 29
Tevet
Yom Kippur Katan
Today is observed as Yom Kippur Katan, a "small Day of Atonement" -- a day for introspection and repentance in preparation for the coming Rosh Chodesh (New Moon). Some fast from dawn to nightfall and recite a special service.
"Even
though Israel has no MAZAL (constellation),
D'LI is Israel's Mazal!"
Sunday night-Monday January
18-19 / 1 Shevat
Rosh Chodesh SHEVAT
Add Ya'aleh Veyavo for Rosh Chodesh in evening, morning and afternoon prayers and in Grace after Meals. Following the morning Shacharit prayer, "half" Hallel is recited. Torah Reading for Rosh Chodesh: Numbers 28:9-15; After the Torah reading we recite the additional Musaf prayer for Rosh Chodesh. It is appropriate to mark Rosh Chodesh with a festive meal.
The first day of Shevat is when Moses began his final discourses in Deuteronomy: "And in the fortieth year in the eleventh month on the first of the month Moses spoke to the children of Israel" (Deut. 1:3). The month of Shevat is therefore propitious for Torah study and understanding as signified by the sign of D'LI, a "bucket" pouring the waters of inspiration into the world.
According to the opinion of Beit Shammai, 1 Shevat is New Year of the Trees, although in practice we follow the opinion of Beit Hillel that this is observed on Tu BiShvat, 15 Shevat (Rosh Hashanah 2a). Start planning now for Tu Bishvat, which will be on Sunday night-Monday January 16-17!
Tuesday January 20 / 2 Shevat
On this day, some have
the custom of observing Ta'anit Dibbur, a "fast
from speaking", reading the book
of Psalms and additional supplications.
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Meshulam Zusya of Hanipoli (1718-1800),
outstanding chassidic Tzaddik and student of the Maggid of Mezritch.
Wednesday night-Thursday January 21-22 / 4 Shevat
Today is the Yahrzeit
of Rabbi Avraham Kalisker (1741-1800),
a student of the Gaon of Vilna who joined
the Chassidic movement as a follower
of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk and
succeeded him as leader of the Chassidic
community of Eretz Israel. After meeting
R. Avraham Kalisker in Israel, Rabbi
Nachman of Breslov declared that he had
never seen a more perfect Tzaddik.
Today is also the Yahrzeit of the outstanding Tzaddik and Mekubal Rabbi
Israel Abuhatzeira, the Baba Sali (1890-1984).
Thursday night-Friday January 22-23 / 5 Shevat
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter, the "Sfas Emes" (1847-1905), Rebbe of Ger. He said that study of the Torah portions about the Exodus from Egypt saves Israel from the strictures of the final redemption!
Friday night-Saturday
January 23-24 / 6 Shevat
Shabbat Parshat BO
Torah Reading: BO Exodus 10:1-13:16 telling the
story of the final plagues in Egypt,
the Paschal sacrifice and the actual
Exodus.
Haftara: Jeremiah 46:13-28
"Even
though Israel has no MAZAL (constellation),
D'LI is Israel's Mazal!