Torah Calendar
24 Tammuz-8 Menachem Av, 5785
July 20-August 8, 2025
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
Tuesday July 222 / 26 Tammuz
On this day in the year 1187 Saladdin's army defeated the crusaders near Tiberias, signalling the destruction of the crusader kingdom in the Holy Land. In 1759 the Baal Shem Tov together with R. Chaim Rapoport of Lvov defeated the Frankists in an open disputation and the day was established as an annual festival for all who follow the path of the Baal Shem Tov in all generations.
Thursday July 24 / 28 Tammuz
Yom Kippur Katan is observed today from dawn until nightfall as a fast and/or day of repentance in preparation for the coming Rosh Chodesh.
Thursday night-Friday July 24-25 / 29 Tammuz
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rashi -- Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040-1105) outstanding commentator on the Bible and Talmud.
Attributes of the month of Av: Ruling permutation of the letters of HAVAYAH: KEH VAV YOD KEH, contained in the initial Hebrew letters of Haskeis Ushmo'a Yisrael Hayom... "...take heed and listen, O Israel, this day..." (Deut 27:9). The month's corresponding letter is: TET; Human attribute: HEARING; Body Part: LEFT KIDNEY ; Tribe: SHIMON; Constellation: ARYEH (Leo, the Lion).
Friday-Saturday July25-26
/ 1 Menachem Av
Shabbat Parshat MATOS & MAS'EI
Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av
Today being Rosh Chodesh, the New Moon
of the month of Menachem Av, we add Ya'aleh
ve-yavo in the Amidah prayer on Shabbat
evening, morning (shacharit)and
afternoon (minchah) service. It
is customary to add extra dishes to the
Shabbat meals in honor of Rosh Chodesh.
The Torah reading this Shabbat is the double portion of Matos,
Numbers 30:2-32:42 and Mas'ei,
Numbers 33:1-36:13, completing the book of Numbers ("Chazak").
The Haftara is the second of the three Hafarot of reproof read on the Shabbatot
of the Three Weeks -- Ashkenazim: Jeremiah
2:4-28 & 3:4; Sefardim: Jeremiah 2:4-28 & 4:1-2.
Some communities read all or at least some verses from Isaiah 66:1-24, the
usual Haftara when Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbat.
After the Torah reading, we recite the special Musaf "Additional" service
for when Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbat.
Today, the first day of the month of Av, is the Yahrzeit of Aharon
the High Priest (Numbers 33:38).
Sunday July 11 / 2 Av
Today marks
the beginning of the observance of the
stringencies of "The Nine Days",
which culminate next SundayAugust 8 with
the fast of Tisha b'Av commemorating the
destruction of the First and Second Temples.
The prevailing custom this week is to abstain
from meat and wine, not to change, wash
and launder clothes (except essential underwear),
not to wash one's whole body even in cold
water except where washing is necessary
for hygiene, and to minimize business and
pleasure activities, in order to keep our
minds focussed on the Temple and upon our
yearning to regain it.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged people to conclude the study of Talmudic
tractates (siyum masechta) in this period in order to provide occasions
for a mitzvah-feast, where meat and wine are permitted. The purpose is to
understand that the goal in this period is not to be depressed but to focus
our minds joyously on the Torah.
Tuesday night-Wednesday July 13-14 / 5 Av
Today is the Yahrzeit of
the Holy ARI, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (1534-72),
outstanding Safed kabbalist and author
of the teachings in Eitz Chayim, "The
Tree of Life", and numerous other
volumes written down by his student Rabbi
Chaim Vital. People in Israel flock to
the ARI's gravesite in the old cemetery
of Safed.
Today is also the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Michel Dorfman (1913-2006),
guardian of Rabbi Nachman's grave during the post-World War II Communist
regime, leading elder of the Breslover Chassidim and builder of the new Kloyz (synagogue)
in Uman.
Friday July 16 / 7 Av
Although some observe the prohibition of washing the entire body even on the eve of Shabbat during the Nine Days, many wash in warm water in honor of the Shabbat and put on their customary Shabbat clothes.
Friday night-Saturday August
1-2 / 8 Av
Shabbat CHAZON, Parshat DEVARIM
Eve of Tisha B'Av
Torah reading: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22; Haftara: Isaiah 1:1-27 "The vision (Chazon) of Isaiah..." after which this Shabbat preceding the Fast of Tisha B'Av is named.
"Intent, focussed prayer on this Shabbat elevates the prayers of all the year, because the prayer of a poor person elevates all prayers to favor" (R. Uri of Strelisk). "This is the greatest Shabbat of the year" (The Oihev Yisrael of Apta).
It is permitted to eat meat
and all delicacies at the Three Meals this
Shabbat, but it is necessary to conclude
all eating and drinking at the Third Meal
prior to sunset on Shabbat afternoon, when
the fast begins, though Zmirot and Birkhat
HaMazon (grace) may be recited after
sunset.
On Shabbat afternoon only the Torah subjects that are permitted on Tisha
B'Av may be studied, i.e. laws of mourning, passages of reproof in Jeremiah,
Job, etc. and works of Mussar and Chassidut that arouse us to Teshuvah.
Saturday night-Sunday July
17-18 / 9 Av
Fast of TISHA B'AV
The Fast of Tisha B'Av commemorating
(1-2) The destruction of the First and
Second Temples (3) The decree that the
Generation of the Wilderness who listened
to the evil report of the spies would not
enter the Land of Israel (4) Capture and
destruction of the city of Beitar after
the failure of Bar Kochba's rebellion (5)
Plowing of Jerusalem by the Romans. The
expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492
also took place on Tisha B'Av.
Besides abstaining from eating and drinking, full mourning is observed today,
including sitting on very low chairs or on mats on the floor until after
midday, and abstaining from washing, annointing, wearing shoes and marital
relations.
After the evening service at the conclusion of Shabbat, Megillat Eichah (Lamentations)
is read, followed by the recital of Kinot, mournful dirges about
the destruction of the Temple and other tragedies.
Following the morning service Torah reading, lengthy Kinot are recited
followed by the reading of Eichah. This takes up most of the morning
until midday. Many visit Jewish graves on Tisha B'Av to rouse the souls of
the dead to beg for mercy for us.
The fast ends after nightfall (Tzeit Hakochavim, appearance of the
stars) on Sunday. It is customary to recite Kiddush Levanah, "Sanctification
of the Moon" after the evening service after end of the fast.