JLaw Flash Rosh Chodesh Sh’vat

         

Rosh Chodesh Sh’vat

(Literal Translation: Head of the Month)

Rosh Chodesh is the beginning of a new month in the Jewish calendar. This year starting Sunday evening January 18th until Monday evening, January 19th is Rosh Chodesh for the Hebrew month of Shevat– the 11th month of the Jewish Calendar year.

 On Rosh Chodesh work is permitted, though as a special day for Jewish women, women should work less than a regular weekday.

No fasting or eulogies allowed

It is not required, but appropriate to have a special meal in honor of Rosh Chodesh

Additional prayers:

  • In the Evening Service beginning on page 256 in the ArtScroll prayer Add Ya’aleh v’Yavoh (May there rise and come) for Rosh Chodesh to Silent Devotion (shaded paragraph pg. 274).
    • During the entire Rosh Chodesh, the prayer Ya’aleh v’Yavoh is also added at the conclusion of a meal with bread in the Grace After Meals beginning on page 183 (shaded paragraph, top of page 190) and we also add the seasonal verse (shaded paragraph, 2nd line top of page 194) Horachamon Hu Ychadeish Aleinu Es HaChodesh.. (The Compassionate One! May He inaugurate…)
  • In the Morning Service beginning on page 12, the same prayer is added to the Silent Devotion, shaded paragraph, middle of page 110
  • Tachanun on page 132 is not recited

Add abridged Hallel (Psalms of Praise) pages 632-top of 642 (omit second paragraphs on pages 634 and 636)

Add special Torah reading from Bamidbar (Numbers) 28:1-15

  • Add special Supplemental Service (pages 644-652)
  • Add Borchi Nafshi Psalm 104 on page 172
  • In the Afternoon Service beginning on page 232, add Ya’aleh v’Yavoh, the shaded paragraph on the top of page 244

 

Special day this month: Tu B’Shvat (the 15th day of Sh’vat) is the New Year for Trees-a Jewish Arbor Day. This year Tu B’Shvat falls out on Monday, February 2nd.

Many have the custom to eat fruit, especially from the 7 species for which the Land of Israel is praised: “a land of wheat, barley, (grape) vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olives and (date) honey”.

 

Have a great Chodesh– a great month!

 

Rabbi Avrohom Czapnik

Please call me at the Jewish Learning Exchange at 323.857.0923 if you have any questions.
Rabbi Avrohom Czapnik