Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan

About

The Month of Cheshvan

Cheshvan (also called Marcheshvan) is the only month with no holidays or fasts, earning it the name "bitter Cheshvan" (Mar Cheshvan). Yet this quietude carries its own beauty: after the spiritual heights of Tishrei, Cheshvan is the month of returning to everyday life and bringing holiness into the mundane. The Great Flood began on 17 Cheshvan.

Significance

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan arrives immediately after the intense holiday season of Tishrei. It marks the return to ordinary time — but with the spiritual energy accumulated over the holidays. Tradition teaches that the Third Temple will be dedicated in Cheshvan, giving this seemingly empty month extraordinary future significance.

Spiritual Themes

Themes of Cheshvan

Cheshvan teaches the power of everyday holiness. While Tishrei’s holiness comes through extraordinary festivals, Cheshvan’s holiness must be found in the ordinary: in work, relationships, and daily acts of kindness. The rain prayers (Mashiv HaRuach, V’ten Tal U’Matar) begin in Cheshvan, connecting physical sustenance to spiritual merit.

Observances

Customs of Cheshvan

• •Begin reciting Mashiv HaRuach U’Morid HaGashem (prayer for rain) from Shemini Atzeret
• •In Israel: begin reciting V’ten Tal U’Matar on 7 Cheshvan
• •In the Diaspora: V’ten Tal U’Matar begins on December 4th or 5th

History

Historical Events in Cheshvan

• •The Great Flood began (17 Cheshvan)
• •Rachel’s yahrzeit (11 Cheshvan)
• •Dedication of Solomon’s Temple was completed in Cheshvan (I Kings 6:38)

Upcoming

Other Rosh Chodesh Dates