The Jewish Year, Kislev (and Chanukah) Approaching

The Jewish Calendar is fantastically, brilliantly created combination of the lunar and solar calendars. You can get a pretty accurate idea of which day in the month by the size, shape and location of the moon in the sky.  A full moon means we're in the middle of the month, while the skinny crescents mean it's either the beginning or end of the month.  An extra month added every two or three years according to a brilliant bit of pre-computerized calculations assures us that the Jewish Holidays will fall in the correct seasons and not float around the year which happens to the Muslims.

The month of Cheshvan (or Marcheshvan-bitter Cheshvan, which it is also called) is supposed to be the first very rainy month of the year.  Unfortunately, we haven't had any serious, long heavy rains; although it has poured a couple of times in some of the country.

Yesterday I was in Jerusalem which enjoyed* unseasonably warm, dry autumn weather.  I was rather surprised when I got back home to Shiloh and noticed very wet roads and sidewalks.  Apparently it rained very hard in Shiloh a couple of times during the day.

I organize Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Shiloh HaKedumah-Tel Shiloh. The next Rosh Chodesh, Rosh Chodesh Kislev, (which is the month when Chanukah begins) is next week, and it's a double one.  That means it's celebrated both on the last day of Cheshvan and the first day of Kislev.  My friends and I were debating on which day we should go to pray together.  It's not that easy when it's raining, although we'd never complain about the rain.  It would be sort of sacrilegious to do so.  Rain is so precious here.  Finally I decided on Sunday, the 30th  of Cheshvan, because it's always good to start the week with something special and to do a great mitzvah as early as possible. Here are the details.

Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

Rosh Chodesh Kislev

Sunday, November 3, 2013

30 Cheshvan 5774, 8:30am

Tour of Tel Shiloh & Dvar Torah, Short Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים
ראש חודש כסלו בתל שילה

יום א' 3-11 ל' חשון תשע"ד 8:30
יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל
 כדאי לבוא ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

 

You're welcome to join our facebook page. Tel Shiloh is open to visitors daily. Tours can be arranged through the Shiloh HaKeduma, Ancient Shiloh office. Email visit@telshilo.org.il  or phone 02-994-4019.

*Such continued dryness should be more worrisome than enjoyable.