Kislev

Kislev

Kislev ( כִּסְלֵו) is the ninth month of the ecclesiastical year and the third month of the civil year on the Hebrew calendar. The month generally has 30 days, but because of the Rosh Hashanah postponement rules, in some years it is only 29 days. In the Gregorian calendar, Kislev falls between November and December. Kislev is a month of expectation and hope for rain in the Land of Israel.

Kislev is the month of Chanukah, the only Jewish holiday that spans two months ~ Kislev and Tevet. Chanukah is an 8-day holiday beginning on the 25th of Kislev and ending on either the 2nd or 3rd of Tevet. Chanukah is not a Biblical holiday, thus is considered a “minor” holiday.

Chanukah commemorates the Maccabean revolt and victory over the Greeks. It further commemorates the rededication of the Temple, which the Greeks had defiled. Tradition teaches that the there was only enough oil to light the lamp in the temple for 1 day, but a miracle happened allowing the lamp to remain lit for 8 days. This allowed the Jews to purify more oil for the lamp.

Chanukah is celebrated by lighting a Chanukah Menorah, which contains 8 candles, plus an extra or shammosh (a separate “helper” candle). The shammosh is set apart from the other candles, and is used to light the Chanukah candles. On the first night of Chanukah, only one candle is lit. With each successive night, an additional candle is light, until the last night when all the candles are lit. The Chanukah Menorah should be placed in a window for public display.

Traditionally foods fried in oil are eaten during Chanukah. This includes such delicacies as potato latkes and donuts.

Tradition teaches that G~d showed Noah a rainbow during the month of Kislev to show that He would not again destroy the world.

Famous Women Associated with Kislev:
Emma Lazarus (d. November 19, 1887 / 3 Kislev 5648). Emma Lazarus was an American-Jewish poet, whose most famous poem is entitled The New Colosus, several lines of which are inscribed on a plaque on the Statute of Liberty.

Hannah Greenbaum Solomon (d. December 7, 1942 / 28 Kislev 5703). Hannah Solomon was the founder of the National Council of Jewish Women.

Golda Meir (d. December 8, 1978 / 8 Kislev 5739). Golda Meir was Israel’s first female Prime Minister and held that office from 1969 until 1974.

In the year 2011, the month of Kislev began at sundown on Saturday, November 26, 2011.