Cheshvan

In the Hebrew calendar, Cheshvan (חֶשְׁוָן ) is the second month of the civil year (which started on Rosh HaShanah) and the eighth month of the ecclesiastical year (which began on the first of Nisan). The month falls in October and November in the secular calendar.

The full name of the month is Mar-cheshvan, but is generally shortened to Cheshvan. The full name of the month means “bitter Cheshvan” and is called that because there are no holidays or fast days during this month. Two modern tragedies, however, occurred during Cheshvan, adding to the bitterness of the month. Kristalnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, which was the pogrom which is generally considered mark the beginning of the Holocaust, occurred on 15 Cheshvan 5699 (1938). Yitzhak Rabin, Israel’s Prime Minister was assassinated on 12 Cheshvan 5756 (1995).

11 Cheshvan marks the Yartzeit of Rabbi Nachum of Chernobyl (1797). Rabbi Nachum was the founder of the Chassidic Rebbes.

In Israel, Cheshvan marks the beginning of the rainy season. A prayer called V’tein Tal u-Matar (Deliver Dew and Rain) is added to the Shemoneh Esrei. If no rain has fallen by the 17th of the month, special prayers are added. Interestingly, the great flood of Genesis, is traditionally considered to have begun on the 17th day of Cheshvan. Only Noah and his family is said to have survived this flood, along with the animals who accompanied them on the Ark.

Generally the month of Cheshvan has 29 days, but in some years there is an additional day added. The additional day depends upon when Rosh Hashanah falls.