Today is Shabbat, Adar 25, 5786 · March 14, 2026
Hachodesh
Today's Laws & Customs
• Parshat Hachodesh
On the Shabbat that falls on or before the 1st of Nissan, a special reading called "Hachodesh" (Exodus 12:1-20) is added to the regular Shabbat Torah reading. Hachodesh recounts G-d's historic communication to Moses in Egypt on the 1st of Nissan (2 weeks before the Exodus) regarding the Jewish calendar, the month of Nissan and the Passover offering.
Links: The Reading for Hachodesh
From the teachings of the Chassidic masters on Hachodesh
About the Jewish calendar
Haftorah in a Nutshell
• Blessing the New Month
This Shabbat is Shabbat Mevarchim (“the Shabbat that blesses" the new month): a special prayer is recited blessing the Rosh Chodesh ("Head of the Month") of the upcoming month of Nisan, which falls on Thursday of the following week.
Prior to the blessing, we announce the precise time of the molad, the "birth" of the new moon.
See molad times.
It is a Chabad custom to recite the entire book of Psalms before morning prayers, and to conduct farbrengens (chassidic gatherings) in the course of the Shabbat.
Links: Shabbat Mevarchim; Tehillim (the Book of Psalms); The Farbrengen
Today in Jewish History
• Nebuchadnezzar died (397 BCE)
Death of King Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian emperor who conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the first Holy Temple 26 years earlier, died on the 25th of Adar of the year 3364 from creation. (Jeremiah 52:31)
• Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson's Birthday (1901)
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushkah Schneerson (1901-1988) of righteous memory, wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe of righteous memory, was born on Shabbat, the 25th of Adar, in Babinovich, a town near the Russian city of Lubavitch, in the year 5661 from creation (1901). In an address delivered on the 25 of Adar of 1988 (the Rebbetzin's 87th birthday, and about a month after her passing), the Rebbe initiated an international birthday campaign, urging people to celebrate their birthdays and utilize the day as a time of introspection and making resolutions involving an increase in good deeds.
Links:
A biography of the Rebbetzin
On the Jewish Birthday and the birthday customs
Daily Torah Study
Chumash: Vayak'hel-Pekudei, 7th Portion Shemot (Exodus) 40:1-40:38 with Rashi
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English / Hebrew Linear Translation
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Video Class
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Daily Wisdom (short insight)
Tehillim: Chapter 119, Verses 1-96
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Hebrew text
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English text
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 37
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English Text (Lessons in Tanya)
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Hebrew Text
• Audio Class:
Listen |
Download
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Video Class
Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvot:
• 1 Chapter A Day: Avodat Kochavim Avodat Kochavim - Chapter 4
• 3 Chapters A Day: Shabbat Shabbat - Chapter 9, Shabbat Shabbat - Chapter 10, Shabbat Shabbat - Chapter 11
Hayom Yom:
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English Text |
Video Class
Audio: 
