Torah Calendar
19 Adar-3 Nissan, 5786
March 8-21, 2026
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• When Adar arrives, we maximize SIMCHAH •
Saturday night-Sunday March 7-8 / 19 Adar
Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yosef Chayim Zonnenfeld (1849-1932), Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem.
Wednesday March 9 / 20 Adar
This was the day when Choni HaMe'agel drew a circle around himself on the ground and refused to move out of it until his prayer for rain was answered (Megillat Ta'anit, Bavli Ta'anit 19a). Please pray for rains of blessing in Israel. This was also the day when King Uzziah of Judah was smitten with leprosy when he entered the Sanctuary to burn incense, and the prophet Isaiah had his first vision on the same day (Isaiah ch. 6).
Monday night-Tuesday March 9-10 / 21 Adar
Yahrzeit of Reb Elimelech (1717-87), outstanding Chassidic leader, author of No'am Elimelech and brother of Reb Zusia of Anipol.
Thursday March 12-Wednesday March 18 / 23-29 Adar
The days 23-29 Adar correspond to the seven days of inauguration of the Sanctuary and the Priests by Moses in the wilderness prior to the dedication of the Sanctuary on 1 Nissan.
In our time, these days are auspicious for preparing ourselves for the coming "New Year" this coming Wed night-Thurs 18-19 March, 1st of Nissan, a time of spiritual and physical renewal.
Friday night-Saturday March 13-14 / 25 Adar
Shabbat Parshat VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEY
Shabbat HA-CHODESH
Shabbat Mevarchin NISSAN
Torah reading: The double parshah of VAYAKHEL and PEKUDEY, Exodus 35:1–40:38 describing the Children of Israel's contributions for the building of the wilderness Sanctuary, how Bezalel constructed the Sanctuary and its vessels, Moses' "accounting" for all the materials and the laws of the inauguration of Aaron and his sons as priests. With this double parshah we conclude the book of Exodus ("Chazak").
Special additional reading for Shabbat HACHODESH: Exodus 12:1-20 giving the laws of the month of Nissan, "Ha-Chodesh", and the festival of Passover in preparation for the coming season of our Redemption.
This Shabbat after the Torah reading we bless the coming month of Nissan, month of Redemption. The Molad (junction of the moon and the sun) will be on Wednesday March 18 at 16:34 and 13 chalokim p.m. Rosh Chodesh Nissan will be on Wednesday night-Thursday March 18-19. May it come to us and to all Israel for good!
In accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua that the Sixth Day of Creation was on 1 Nissan, today corresponds to the First Day of Creation, and today and the coming days contain the creative potential of the Days of Creation, a propitious time for spiritual ascent as we prepare for the coming Pesach season of redemption.
Today is the yahrzeit of Rabbi Avraham Gershon Ashkenazi of Kitov (1701-61), brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov.
Wednesday March 18 / 29 Adar
YOM KIPPUR KATAN
Today is a day for introspection and repentance prior to the beginning of the new month. Many fast from dawn until nightfall and engage in self-examination and repentance, reciting a special service in the afternoon and, where possible, journeying to pray at the graves of the Tzaddikim.
Today is a particularly auspicious day for offering prayers for one's livelihood (SheLaH).
Attributes of the month of Adar: Ruling permutation of the letters of HAVAYAH are HEH-HEH-YUD-VAV contained in the final letters of four of the Hebrew words in Genesis 49:11, eeroH velashrekaH bniY athonO, "his foal..., and his ass's colt unto the choice vine". The month's corresponding letter is: KUF; Human attribute: LAUGHTER; Body Part: SPLEEN; Tribe: NAFTALI; Constellation: DAGIM (Pisces). |
Wednesday night-Thursday March 18-19 / 1 Nissan
Rosh Chodesh NISSAN
On Rosh Chodesh we recite Ya'aleh VeYavo, the "Half" Hallel and the additional Musaf service, and it is customary to mark the day with a more festive meal than usual.
Chodesh Tov UMevorach!!!
Have a Good and Blessed Month!!!
The first ten days of Nissan correspond to the letter Yod of the divine name A-D-N-Y; the four days of checking the Paschal lamb from 11-14 Nissan correspond to the Dalet. The fifty days from the first day of Pesach to the eve of Shavuot correspond to the Nun, and Shavuot itself corresponds to the Aleph, signifying our complete acceptance of the kingship of G-d through our service in this period.
From Rosh Chodesh Nissan until Pesach, many have the custom of not eating Matzot in order to eat the Pesach matzot with relish. Don't forget to spare a thought for the many who cannot afford Matzot and other Pesach needs. In this period it is customary to give Kimcha d'Pischa -- special charity to the poor to cover their "flour" and other Pesach needs.
The Sanctuary in the wilderness was inaugurated on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, and this auspicious day has ten crowns: (1) On this day the Creation was complete; (2) Nachshon Prince of Judah brought his offering to Moses' wilderness Sanctuary; (3) Aaron began his duties as High Priest; (4) The first communal offerings were brought; (5) Fire came down from heaven to the altar; (6) Sacrificial portions were eaten within designated limits around the Sanctuary; (7) The Shechinah dwelt among the people; (8) The Cohanim blessed the people; (9) It was henceforth forbidden to sacrifice on private altars; (10) This day was designated as Rosh Chodesh. Numerous sections of the Torah were revealed on 1 Nissan.
Since the Princes of the Twelve Tribes of Israel brought their inaugural sacrifices to the Sanctuary day by day on the first twelve days of Nissan, many have the custom of reading the corresponding passages from Numbers 7:1-89 each day after the morning prayers, starting with verses 1-17 on the first day and concluding with vv. 78-89 on the twelfth day. Some study the lengthy Midrashim on how the identical sacrifices of the twelve princes in each case had different intentions and allusions (Midrash Rabbah NASO and see Me'Am Lo'ez).
Each of the first twelve days of Nissan corresponds to one of the twelve months of the coming year. "And those with clear vision can see how the events on each of these days allude to what is to come in the corresponding month" (R. Menachem Mendel of Riminov).
Blessing of the trees (Birkhat Ha-Ilanot): This special blessing is recited only once a year at any point during the month of Nissan on seeing at least two blossoming fruit trees, whether of the same or different species. "Blessed are You, G-d, our Lord, King of the universe, for He left nothing lacking in His universe, and He created in it good creatures and good trees, to give mankind pleasure in them." Birkat Ha'ilanot is found in most Siddurim. Sephardic and some Chassidic Siddurim include extended accompanying readings of psalms and prayers, including a special prayer for the elevation of the souls.
1 Nissan was the birthday of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. He once said, "When somebody thinks of me they become like a newborn babe".
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The first ten days of Nissan correspond to the letter Yod of the holy name A-D-N-Y "our Lord" the four days of checking the Paschal lamb from 11-14 Nissan correspond to the Dalet; the fifty days from the first day of Pesach to the eve of Shavuot correspond to the Nun, and Shavuot itself corresponds to the Aleph, signifying our complete acceptance of the kingship of G-d through our service in this period. |
Shabbat March 20-21 / 3 Nissan
Torah reading: VAYIKRA (Leviticus 1:1-5:26) setting forth the various categories of the Temple sacrificial offerings.