The New Month of Shevat

B"H

29 Tevet 5772


When the sun sets this evening, we will receive the new month of Shevat.

"The month of Shevat is the eleventh month counting from Nisan. As it states in the Book of Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah), 'On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shevat...' (Yirmeyahu 1). In the general calendar year of Jewish tradition, which begins with Tishrei, it is the fifth month.

"...On the first of the month, Moshe, inspired by prophecy from G-d, began to recite the words of the Book of Devarim to Israel.

"...The later Sages have, therefore, said that the first of Shevat is comparable to the day of the giving of the Torah. Just as the sixth of Sivan, on which the Torah was given to Israel, remains forever suitable for the renewed acceptance of the Torah, similarly is the heart of the Jew newly receptive to the Torah on the first of Shevat, because on that day they began to receive the Book of Devarim from Hashem, through Moshe.

"Because the period of transmission of the Book of Devarim was this thirty-seven day interval, all the days from the first of Shevat until the seventh of Adar are especially well suited for renewed inspiration in the study of Torah and the doing of Mitzvot."

Special Days in Shevat
Shabbat Shirah
The Fifteenth of Shevat

(Source: OU.org)

Chodesh tov umevorach,
-MW-