Rosh Chodesh Kislev

About

The Month of Kislev

Kislev is the month of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. It is associated with bitachon (trust in God) — the root of Kislev (כסל) relates to trust and confidence. The short winter days are illuminated by the increasing light of the Chanukah menorah, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and the miracle of the oil in the rededicated Temple.

Significance

Rosh Chodesh Kislev

Rosh Chodesh Kislev brings anticipation of the Chanukah lights. The month begins in the deepest darkness of winter but carries the promise of increasing light. In Chassidic tradition, Rosh Chodesh Kislev is celebrated as the day the Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi) was released from prison in 1798.

Spiritual Themes

Themes of Kislev

Kislev teaches trust, dreams, and the power of small lights. The Chanukah candles demonstrate that a single flame can dispel great darkness. The Kabbalists associate Kislev with the sense of sleep and dreaming — it was in Kislev that Jacob had his famous dream of the ladder reaching heaven.

Observances

Customs of Kislev

• •Chanukah: lighting the menorah (one additional candle each night for 8 nights)
• •Playing dreidel (sevivon)
• •Eating foods fried in oil (latkes, sufganiyot/donuts)
• •Giving Chanukah gelt (money)
• •19 Kislev: Chassidic holiday celebrating the Alter Rebbe’s release

History

Historical Events in Kislev

• •Rededication of the Second Temple (25 Kislev, 165 BCE)
• •Release of the Alter Rebbe from prison (19 Kislev, 1798)
• •Jacob’s dream at Beit El

Upcoming

Other Rosh Chodesh Dates