Cheshvan / Mar Cheshvan
MONTHS
Cheshvan
About
Cheshvan is the second month of the Hebrew year (or the eighth month when counting from Nissan). Like all Hebrew months, the name Cheshvan is of Babylonian origin, corresponding to the constellation of the Scorpion (Scorpio), visible in the night sky during this lunar month. Cheshvan usually overlaps the solar months of October and November.
The month is also called Mar Cheshvan meaning “Bitter Cheshvan” because it has no holidays to make it joyous until the Messiah comes. Some say Mar Cheshvan should actually be read “Marach shevan,” the “month of light.”
The original Hebrew name of the month is Bul, meaning “withering,” referring to the withering of tree branches and field stubble during this month. As the Hebrew Bible says:
“And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul—that is, the eighth month—the House was completed according to all its details and all its specifications. It took him seven years to build it.” (I Kings, 6:38)
Tribe
TRIBE
Lavi
Manasseh was Joseph’s firstborn, born to him in Egypt. He represents the ability to stay connected to God, spirituality and religion regardless of one’s challenges.
Because Yoseph was such a great person, his father Jacob blessed him with two tribes under the leadership of his two sons Ephraim and Menashe (Manasseh).
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL’S MIRACULOUS RETURN
From Iraq to The Land of Israel.
learn more >
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL’S MIRACULOUS RETURN
From Ethiopia to The Land of Israel.
learn more >
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL’S MIRACULOUS RETURN
From Egypt to The Land of Israel.
learn more >
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL’S MIRACULOUS RETURN
From Australia to The Land of Israel.
learn more >
Stone
Barket
Cheshvan’s stone in the High Priest’s breastplate is the Emerald (Barket)
Bible Verse
“וְזָכַרְתִּי אֶת-בְּרִיתִי, אֲשֶׁר בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם, וּבֵין כָּל-נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה, בְּכָל-בָּשָׂר; וְלֹא-יִהְיֶה עוֹד הַמַּיִם לְמַבּוּל, לְשַׁחֵת כָּל-בָּשָׂר.”
Vezacharti et-beriti, asher beini uveineichem, uvein kol-nefesh chayyah, bechol-basar; velo-yihyeh od hammayim lemabbul, leshachet kol-basar.
I will remember My covenant between Me and you and every living creature.
Genesis 9:15
Holidays
Sigd
(CHESHVAN 29)
Celebrated by the Ethiopian Jewish community, Sigd marks the 50th day after Yom Kippur and marks the renewal of the covenant between the Jewish people, God and the Torah, beginning with a fast and ending with celebration.
Notable Dates in the Month of Cheshvan
11 Cheshvan
(2105 BCE)
Death of Methuselah at age 969. He was the oldest human who ever lived. The start of the Great Flood was delayed seven days so that a full week of mourning could be observed for Metuselah.
11 Cheshvan
(2105 BCE)
Death of Methuselah at age 969. He was the oldest human who ever lived. The start of the Great Flood was delayed seven days so that a full week of mourning could be observed for Metuselah.
11 Cheshvan
(1553 BCE)
Death of the matriarch Rachel while giving birth to Benjamin in the Land of Israel. She was buried in Bethlehem on the road to Ephrata, the site of Rachel’s Grave to this day.
15 Cheshvan
(165 BCE)
Death of Matityahu (Mattathias), the patriarch of the Hasmonean family who began the Maccabee revolt against the Greeks in the city of Modiin.
16 Cheshvan
(1994)
Death of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, the famous “Singing Rabbi,” whose musical and spiritual impact is still felt today.
17 Cheshvan
(960 BCE)
The First Temple was completed by King Solomon.
Discover your Hebrew Birthday…
And remember it forever with a Hebrew Birthday Certificate.
learn more & order today>
In recent years, many non-Jews who are interested in exploring the Jewish roots of their Christian faith are embracing the Jewish High Holy Days.
Watch a cute video about Rosh Hashana that explains some of the Jewish customs of the holiday.