Shalom, everyone! Rosh Chodesh Sivan, the first day of the Third Month, begins sundown Saturday, May 23, 2020, on the Hebrew calendar, with the sighting of the new moon (first visible crescent). Rosh Chodesh Sivan marks the continued counting of the Omer and the annual mo’ed of Shavuot. Bnei Yisrael Society wishes a “Chodesh Tov” (“A Good Month”) to all who observe!

About This Month

Sivan is the Third Month of the ecclesiastical Hebrew calendar, is of great significance because it was during this month that the Torah was given the Nation of Israel at Mount Sinai, after our Exodus from Mizraim (Egypt). Archaeological sources suggest that prior to the Babylonian Exile, this month was known as Sivan. The word “Mattan” is a Canaanite-Phoenician word meaning “gift (of crops).” After the Babylonian Exile, however, Mattan became known as “Sivan.” The word “Sivan” is from the Akkadian word “simānu“ meaning “season” or “time.”

The following are the holidays and special events that occur during the month of Sivan (Mattan):

• 6 of Sivan (Mattan) – Shavuot

The following are some of the significant events in B’nai Yisrael history which occurred during the month of Mattan (Sivan):

• Sivan (Mattan) 6 – The Torah was given to Moses (Mattan Torah) at Mount Sinai, in the presence of the Nation of Yisrael, on Shavuot.
• Sivan 23 – Mordechai and Esther sent letters warning the Yehudim of the Persian Empire to prepare to defend themselves against the planned genocide orchestrated against them by Haman, due to be carried out on the 13th of the following Adar.

For more information on the month of Sivan, please watch our video, WATCH: Hebrew Calendar: The Third Month – Sivan – Mar 03 2020.