SHEVAT:
Month 11 | Shevat: Spiritual Connection through Study // Fruitfulness
Month 11 | Shevat: Spiritual Connection through Study // Fruitfulness
Focus: Blessings // Fruitfulness
Letter: Tzadik (צ)
Tribe: Asher
Sense: Eating, taste
According to Tradition, the first of Shevat is when Moses began giving his final address to Israel. “Across the Jordan in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this Torah saying, ‘Adonai our God spoke to us at Horeb saying: ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain’” (Deuteronomy 1:5-6). For the entire month of Shevat, he would sit in the meeting tent and elucidate the Torah.
The 15th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar is the day that marks the beginning of a “new year” for trees. Commonly known as Tu BiShevat, this day marks the season in which the almond trees, the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel, emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. Therefore, the Jewish people calculate the yearly tithe from this day.
01 Shevat: Moses Began Repetition of Torah (Deut.)
15 Shevat: Tu BiShevat (“the 15th of Shevat”) – “New Year for Trees”
23 Shevat: War on Benjamin (circa 1228 BC) – recorded in Judges 19-20
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It is in looking back at what God has done that we can see forward to His future plans for us. “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jer 29:11.
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God renews creation. Tishrei’s festivals all focus on the person praying, waiting, and relying upon the Lord. Consequently, this month’s other name (Ethanim meaning “strong”) makes perfect sense, as “they who wait for Adonai will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).
Each day of the month of Elul (except for Shabbat and the last day of Elul), the Jewish people sound the shofar (ram’s horn) as a call to repentance. The Jewish people teach that the “King is in the Field” during Elul—God is readily accessible, willing to hear our requests and listen to our fervent prayers for the coming new year.
Kislev is often playfully re-written as Kis-Lev (Purse of the Heart). Kislev is a time to examine what is in our hearts. It’s also time to fill them with reminders of the goodness of God. These concepts are most evident during the holiday that falls during this month: Chanukah, the Festival of Lights.