CHESHVAN Sign: Akrav (Scorpion) - because the earth is thirsty for water In modern times, this month has become known as Cheshvan or Mar Cheshvan, which seems to have originated at the time that Jews came back to Israel after the Babylonian Exile. The prefix Mar (which means bitter) is a reference to this month having no festivals or rejoicing, but much suffering for Jews throughout the ages. Also during this month, God brought down the Flood and drowned the world (except for Noach and those with him on the ark.) Mar also means drop and refers to the first rains (theYoreh), which fall in Cheshvan. Ritual Practices: Cheshvan always has a two-day Rosh Chodesh, the second of which, the first of the new month, always falls on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Shabbat.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
http://www.ou.org/chagim/roshchodesh/marcheshvan/rachel.htm
IMPORTANT DATES IN JEWISH HISTORY
11 Cheshvan - Rachel Imeinu Passes Away
On the eleventh of Cheshvan, while giving birth to her 2nd son, Binyamin, Rachel, the beloved wife of Ya'akov, died, and was buried on the road to Bethlehem.
The site of her burial in Bethlehem, south of Jerusalem, known to us by tradition, is covered by a stone edifice. 
For millennia, Jews have come to this site to pour forth their hearts in prayer, and to awaken her merit in any time of travail, for the community as well as for the individual.
Our mother Rachel was not buried in the tile cave of Machpelah in Hevron together with the other Matriarchs and Patriarchs of our people. Instead, she was buried on the road to Jerusalem, exactly where she died, while coming back to Jerusalem from the House of Lavan with Ya'akov.
Why did our Father Ya'akov bury Rachel on the road in Bethlehem?
According to Rabbi Eliyahu Ki Tov's Book of Our Heritage, Ya'akov saw prophetically that in the future, Jewish exiles would pass by on that road and she might seek mercy for them.
When Nebuzaradan exiled the Jews from Israel, and they in fact passed her grave, Rachel emerged to weep and to ask for mercy in their behalf, (Yirmeyahu 3l): "Thus did the Lord say, a voice is heard on high, lamentation and hitter weeping, Rachel weeps for her children, she refuses to be consoled for her children, for they are not." And God in fact answers: "Thus did the Lord say, refrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for there is reward for your labor, said the Lord, and the children shall return to their boundary" (Rashi Va'yechi, and Midrashim quoted by Radak, Yirmeyahu 31).
Another Midrash relates: When the Patriarchs and Matriarchs went to intercede with God over the image which Menasheh placed in the Temple, God was not reconciled. Rachel entered and said before Him: Lord of the universe! Whose mercy is greater? Yours? Or the mercy of a person of flesh and blood. Surely, Your mercy is greater. Have I not brought my rival (Leah) into my house? For all the work which Yaakov did for my father, was done by him, only for my sake. When I came to enter the chupah, my sister was brought in my place. And not only did I keep silent, but I even gave her my signs. You too -- though Your children have brought Your enemy into Your House - be silent towards them! He said to her: You have defended them well, there is reward for your labor, for your righteousness in having given your signs to your sister (Rashi Yirmeyahu 31).
From the time when the People of Israel went into their first exile until Yirmeyahu's prophecy of redemption ('and the children shall return to their boundary'), the grave of our mother Rachel has always been and will always remain a House of Prayer to Israel, for she is a mother to all Israel, and always awakens mercy in their behalf.
http://www.rachelstomb.org/yahrzeil_pictures_2005.html
Hilulah Day | Name (Click on the name to view more info.) |
|---|---|
| 3 | Rabbi Yisrael of Rizhin Chassidic leader. |
| 9 | Rabbi Asher Ben Yechiel - Rosh - Rosh Halachist, Talmudist |
| 10 | Gad ben Yaakov Avinu Gad was the Son of Jacob the Patriarch and Zilpa the handmaid of Leah. He is one of the 12 Tribes. |
| 11 | Metushelach ben Chanoch Metushelach was the grandfather of Noach.He lived for 969 years. |
| 11 | Rachel Imeinu (Rachel the Matriarch) Rachel was one of the wives of Yaacov (Jacob) Avinu, sister of Leah Imeinu. |
| 11 | Binyamin ben Yaakov Avinu Binyamin (Benjamin) was the Son of Jacob the Patriarch and Rachel the Matriarch. He is the founder of one of the 12 Tribes. |
| 11 | Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl Chassidic leader, student of the Baal Shem Tov, Kabbalist. |
| 12 | Rabbi Ze'ev Wolf Kitzes Student of the Baal Shem Tov |
| 15 | Matityahu Kohen Gadol - Hasmonai Leader of the Jewish revolt against the Greeks, during the Second Templ era. A main figure in the Chanukah holiday. |
| 16 | Rabbi Amram Chassidah (The Pious) Rabbi Amram Chassidah was a second generation Amora. |
| 20 | Rabbi Avraham ben David- (RAVAD II) - (RAVAD II) Talmudist and Kabbalist. |
| 24 | Rabbi Avraham Azulai Kabbalist |
| 28 | Rabbi Yonah of Gerona Popularly known as Rabbeinu Yonah. Ethicist, author of Shaarei Teshuvah. |
SINAILIVE
Rabbi Pinson gives insight about the month of Chesvan
