Rosh Chodesh Kislev

Rosh Chodesh Kislev - Sagittarius

The month of Kislev (Sagittarius) is a positive month and is known as the month of miracles. Kabbalists share that the energy of the month allows us to create or draw down the essence of miracles into our lives, the manifestation of which occur throughout the year. It is important to understand that the two miracles of Chanukah - the defeat of the large Greek army by the Maccabees and the burning of a single vial of oil for eight days - happened because the universe is open to miracles during this time period, as opposed to Kislev being the month of miracles because of Chanukah.  Chanukah is an effect -  as opposed to the cause of miracles found in Kislev.  Kabbalist Rav Brandwein explained miracles by expanding on the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov.  He stated that "the creator behaves towards us as we behave" meaning that miracles are part of our physical realm and we simply need to have certainty in our actions in order to to access this energy. When we believe it, we'll see it. Also, when we appreciate all that we have (as opposed to worrying about what we don't), we activate the power of appreciation.  When we are filled with joy from appreciating what we have, there is no room to be sad or anxious about the future.  Sagittarius is a fire sign and those born under the sign typically have a great fire within. They are always seeking a challenge and are often risk takers. The word Kislev, from the word Kesef, means "security" or "trust". When you have the sense of security or trust in the Light, you connect to certainty and the realm of miracles.  The word Sagittarius in Hebrew is from the word Keshet, which means rainbow. We learn from the Zohar that a rainbow is a force which provides balance and central column energy. The rainbow has all of the colors of the spectrum and historically served as a symbol of hope and renewal by marking the end of the Great Flood. Kabbalists also share that each month is associated to a specific sense, Kislev is connected to the sense of "sleep'.  When you place your trust in G-d or the Light to access miracles, you are in a dream state similar to that experienced during sleep.  It is interesting to note that all 10 references in the Torah to dreams are read during the month of Kislev.  With certainty and appreciation we are able to connect to the energy of miracles.

Letters of the Month - Samech & Gimmel

According to the "Sepher Yetzirah", the Hebrew letters are spiritual frequencies that created the universe. A different Hebrew letter controls or influences the constellation and planet of the month. By connecting to these letters through meditation we can draw down specific energy to empower and enlighten us. The letters for the month of Kislev are Samech and Gimel. http://www.torah.com/kislev-month-of-miracles/ . Samech created the constellation of Sagittarius and represents encouragement and support. The letter is shaped like a circle and represents the all-encompassing energy, love and beneficence of G-d. The letter can also be viewed as a combination of the Hebrew letters Caf and Vav, the numerical value of which is 26, the same as the tetragrammaton, G-d's holiest name. As a result of its ability to render support, Samech was placed in the Hebrew alphabet immediately following the letter Nun - which represents falling. The letter Gimel created the planet Jupiter which rules over the month of Kislev. Gimel and Jupiter represent sharing, abundance and good fortune. Like Jupiter, the largest and only planet in our solar system that continues to grow, Gimel has the essence of growing, sharing and revealing Light. When taken together, Samech and Gimel represent the combined energy of G-d sharing additional support and helping us to create miracles in Kislev.

Days of Connection in Kislev

The first and most well-known connection in Kislev is Chanukah, a minor holiday, which commences on the 25th of Kislev and runs for 8 nights.  Two miracles occurred during the period of Chanukah which means "dedication".  First, a small army of Hasmoneans (aka Maccabees), staged a revolt against the Greek King Antiochus who had made the observance of Jewish laws and customs illegal and turned the Temple into a pagan shrine.  During the revolt, Judah the Maccabee and his small group or fighters successfully regained control of Israel and the Temple. When the Maccabees went to rededicate the Temple in the aftermath of the revolt, they only found 1-vile of pure oil needed to light the Temple menorah. Instead of burning for only 1-night, the oil burned for 8 nights, the reason we celebrate for 8-nights and light the Hanukiyah - an 8-branched menorah.

On the 19th of Kislev 5559, Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Alter Rebbe, a disciple to the Megid of Mezritch (the successor to the Baal Shem Tov) and founder of the Chabad movement, was miraculously acquitted and released from his death sentence in Czarist Russia.  Instead of the mysteries and secrets of the Torah remaining imprisoned and lost with his death, the Alter Rebbe's release during Kislev ensured that the wisdom of Chasidut and the power to infuse Torah wisdom into our daily lives was made available to the masses.