The Month of Tishrei
Tishrei is the first month in the current way of counting, and the seventh month counting from the Exodus from Egypt.
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During Tishrei, we start praying for rain.
Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive
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Tishrei is the Babylonian name which our forefathers brought with them upon their return from Babylonia.
The source of the name “tishrei” is to be found in the Acadian language, in which “tashreytu” means “beginning”, since it is the first of the months of the year.
According to tradition, it was in Tishrei that the world was created.
In the Torah, the month is termed “the seventh month”, as it is written: “In the seventh month, on the first of the month, it shall be a Sabbath for you, a memorial of blowing of horns, a holy occasion.” (Leviticus XXIII, 24).
In the prophetical literature, it is called “Eithanim”. “And all the men of Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon at the feast in the month Eithanim, which is the seventh month.” (I Kings VIII, 2)
The sages, of blessed memory, commented on the name “Eithanim” (mighty ones).
According to Rabbi Eliezer, the patriarchs who are “mighty ones of the world” were born in this month. The sages, of blessed memory, further commented: “It is called ‘the seventh (shevi’i from the root: shin-beit-ayyin) month’ because it is full (mesubba’ from the root: sin-beit-ayyin) of everything; in it the wine-vats are full, in it there are blessings, there is atonement in it, there is the festive booth, the palm-branch and the willow in it.” (Midrash Rabba Leviticus XXIX, 8).
Constellation
The constellation of Tishrei is Libra (scales or balance), because it is in Tishrei that the days and nights are in balance with each other (are of equal length). The merits and debits of the world and of each individual are also weighed in the balance on the Days of Justice: Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
Festivals
Most of the important dates in Tishrei are associated with festivals decreed in the Torah.
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Inspecting lulavs at the shuk. Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archives
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The Fast of Gedaliah, set after the Babylonian conquest, was originally called “the fast of the seventh [month]” (Zecharia VIII, 19) and falls on 3 Tishrei.
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Simchat Torah is not mentioned in the actual Torah and was first marked in the Talmudic period. In Israel, it is celebrated on Shmini Atzeret and, in the Diaspora on the following day, as a separate festival, adding an extra day to the Festival of Succoth.
Events in Tishrei
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Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive
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According to legend, it was on the first day of Tishrei that Adam was created. It is also the date of the Binding of Isaac. The matriarch Sarah and the prophetess Hanna died during Tishrei; the patriarchs were born that month and Joseph was let out of prison.
It was in Tishrei that the servitude of our forefathers in Egypt was revoked and this was the month in which the First Temple was dedicated, and when Gedaliah the son of Ahikam was assassinated by Ishmael the son of Nethaniah. With his death, the Jewish community in the Land of Israel after the destruction of the First Temple ceased to exit.
Man of the Month
Rabbi Israel of Kozienice in Poland died on 14 Tishrei 5574 (1814). He had taught Torah for close to fifty years and a whole generation of students followed in his footsteps, many of whom were later known as leaders of the people. For most of his life, he was in poor health, being physically frail and feeble as an infant. He usually had to keep to his bed but, when the Day of Atonement came, he would summon all his strength, arise from his bed and lead the prayer service for the whole day.
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Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive
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It once happened that, on the Eve of the Day of Atonement, Rabbi Israel was especially weak. When he reached the verse: “And the Lord said, "I have forgiven them in accordance with your word”, he had to pause in his prayer because of his weakness. He looked up and said: “Master of the Universe! Only You alone know my weakness and my frailty, and only You alone know Your strength and Your might. And now, see and listen: I, Israel the son of Shabbetai, who is sick and feeble, made an effort with all my strength. I have prayed. I have said all the prayers and all the supplications for the sake of Your people, those who depend upon Your mercy. Is it really that difficult for You to say for their sake just two words: “salachti kidvarekha” (I have forgiven them in accordance with your word)?
Rabbi Israel, the Maggid of Kozienice, loved peace and unity. He used to say: “Were all Jews to make peace amongst themselves, and to extend a hand one to the other in order to form a bond of love, brotherhood and camaraderie, then all the hands would combine together to form one large hand which would reach to the Heavenly Throne."