Related reading: Kislev Monthly Calendar and Nisan Month Calendar.
A Cheshvan monthly calendar brings together the first month after the Tishrei holidays: Rosh Chodesh, 7 Cheshvan and the request for rain in Israel, the first Shabbatot of Genesis, and the weekly portions Noach, Lech-Lecha, Vayera and Chayei Sarah according to the year. This page is designed for families, teachers, students and activity planners who want to see what happens in the month, what to print, and how to turn Cheshvan into a quiet month of learning rather than simply "the month with no holidays."
Update note: Hebrew dates are fixed, but Gregorian dates, weekly Torah portions, Shabbat times and Israel/Diaspora differences change by year, location and custom. Before publishing a year-specific calendar or final PDF, verify all year and location data against a reliable calendar source.
What Is in Cheshvan?
Cheshvan, also called Marcheshvan, comes immediately after Tishrei. After Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah, it brings the calendar back into routine: Shabbatot, weekly Torah readings, study, the prayer for rain and ordinary daily practice.
Because it has no major festival, Cheshvan is especially well suited to a practical calendar page. The user wants to know when Rosh Chodesh falls, when 7 Cheshvan occurs, which Torah portions are read on the Shabbatot of the month, and how to print a clear calendar for home, school or a study group.
Key Dates in Cheshvan
| Hebrew date | Marker | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Tishrei | First day of Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan | When Tishrei has 30 days, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan lasts two days: 30 Tishrei and 1 Cheshvan |
| 1 Cheshvan | Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan | The opening of the month; a good point for monthly learning goals |
| 7 Cheshvan | Prayer for rain in Israel | In Israel, communities begin saying "Veten Tal U'Matar" in the evening Amidah of 7 Cheshvan, according to local nusach and custom |
| Shabbatot of the month | Torah portions from Genesis | Cheshvan often includes Noach, Lech-Lecha, Vayera and Chayei Sarah, but this must be verified by year |
| 29 or 30 Cheshvan | End of the month | The length of Cheshvan varies; in some years it is short, in others full |
Example: Cheshvan 5787
In 5787, according to Hebcal, 1 Cheshvan falls on Monday, October 12, 2026. 7 Cheshvan falls on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Parashat Noach is read on Shabbat, October 17, 2026; Parashat Lech-Lecha on Shabbat, October 24, 2026; Parashat Vayera on Shabbat, October 31, 2026; and Parashat Chayei Sarah on Shabbat, November 7, 2026, which is 27 Cheshvan.
This example is useful for understanding the month, but the page should function as a dynamic tool: choose a Hebrew or Gregorian year, choose a location, and display Hebrew dates, Gregorian dates, Shabbatot, weekly portions and local Shabbat times.
Recommended Page Experience
At the top of the page, place a clear calendar tool:
- Year selector: 5787, 5788 or the matching Gregorian year.
- Location selector: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beersheba or another city.
- Quick navigation: Rosh Chodesh, 7 Cheshvan, Shabbatot of the month, printable version.
- Print/PDF button: a clean monthly calendar for home or classroom use.
- Mobile view: a short day-by-day list instead of a wide table.
- Consistent visual marking for Shabbatot and Torah portions.
The Kotel calendar page demonstrates the value users are looking for: a Hebrew-Gregorian monthly view, practical navigation between days and months, and daily or Shabbat times in context. Our page should keep that useful structure while using original writing, adding an educational layer and clearly flagging what requires verification before publication.
Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan
Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan arrives after the Tishrei holidays and marks a gentle move from festivals into routine. When Tishrei is full, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan lasts two days: the first day is 30 Tishrei and the second is 1 Cheshvan. The calendar should show both days when relevant and clearly mark which date is 1 Cheshvan.
A child-friendly prompt can sit next to Rosh Chodesh: after a month full of holidays, what can we carry into regular days? In that way, the calendar becomes more than a date list; it becomes a family or classroom conversation.
7 Cheshvan and the Prayer for Rain
7 Cheshvan is one of the quiet but important dates of the month. In Israel, this is when communities begin asking for blessed rain in the Amidah through the phrase "Veten Tal U'Matar." It is important to distinguish between mentioning rain and asking for rain: rain is mentioned beginning on Shemini Atzeret, while the request for rain in Israel begins on 7 Cheshvan.
For a public-facing page, the wording should stay careful: describe the broad Israeli practice, refer anyone who needs practical guidance to a siddur or community rabbi, and avoid publishing a full prayer text until nusach, vowels, rights and community variants have been reviewed.
Weekly Torah Portions in Cheshvan
Cheshvan falls near the beginning of the annual Torah reading cycle, so it is usually connected to the early stories of Genesis. In many years the Shabbatot of Cheshvan include Parashat Noach, Parashat Lech-Lecha, Parashat Vayera and sometimes Parashat Chayei Sarah. Still, the list should not be hardcoded without a specific year, because the readings depend on the calendar structure and on Israel/Diaspora differences.
| Portion | Main theme | Quiz or discussion idea |
|---|---|---|
| Noach | The Flood, the ark and the Tower of Babel | What is the difference between building an ark and building a tower? |
| Lech-Lecha | Abraham begins his journey | What does a person need in order to begin something new? |
| Vayera | Hospitality, Sodom, Isaac's birth and the Binding of Isaac | How do we notice another person's need in time? |
| Chayei Sarah | Machpelah, Rebecca and Isaac, family continuity | How does a family story become the beginning of a people? |
Printable Version and PDF
The printable Cheshvan calendar should be simple and useful:
| Page area | Recommended content |
|---|---|
| Title | Cheshvan + Hebrew and Gregorian year |
| Daily calendar | Hebrew date, Gregorian date, Shabbat/portion/special marker |
| Key dates | Rosh Chodesh, 7 Cheshvan, Shabbatot of the month |
| Learning | One short quiz question for each weekly portion |
| Note | Shabbat times and parashah data require year, location and verification |
There is no need to overload the PDF with full prayer texts. It is better to create an original, clear and spacious support sheet, with references to approved texts where needed.
Cheshvan Quiz
Game CTA: Add a "Cheshvan Quiz" to the site with modes for children, families and classrooms.
Sample questions:
- Which month comes immediately after Tishrei?
- What is Cheshvan's fuller traditional name?
- What is marked on 7 Cheshvan in Israel?
- Which portion tells the story of the Flood and the ark?
- In which portion does Abraham set out on a new journey?
- Which portion is connected to Abraham's hospitality?
- Which portion includes Rebecca, Isaac and the Cave of Machpelah?
Closing discussion question: after a month full of holidays, what small action can make ordinary routine feel more sacred?
FAQ
When does Cheshvan begin?
Cheshvan begins on 1 Cheshvan. When Tishrei has 30 days, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan lasts two days: 30 Tishrei and 1 Cheshvan. The Gregorian date changes every year.
Why is Cheshvan also called Marcheshvan?
The traditional name is Marcheshvan. There are several explanations for the name and for the prefix "Mar," but a practical page should use both Cheshvan and Marcheshvan so users can find the content whichever term they search.
What happens on 7 Cheshvan?
In Israel, communities begin saying the request for rain in the Amidah from the evening of 7 Cheshvan, according to local nusach and custom. In the Diaspora the timing differs, so users should check a reliable siddur or community calendar.
Which Torah portions are read during Cheshvan?
Cheshvan is usually connected to the first portions of Genesis: Noach, Lech-Lecha, Vayera and sometimes Chayei Sarah. The exact list changes by year and by Israel/Diaspora calendar differences.
How do I print a Cheshvan monthly calendar?
Use a monthly version with Hebrew and Gregorian dates, Shabbatot, weekly portions, Rosh Chodesh, 7 Cheshvan and a weekly quiz question. Shabbat times must be generated by city and year.
Are there holidays in Cheshvan?
Cheshvan has no major festival like Tishrei or Nisan. That makes it especially useful for a learning calendar focused on weekly portions, the prayer for rain, Shabbat and sustained Jewish routine.
Can Shabbat times be published on this page?
Yes, but only if the data comes from a reliable calendar provider and clearly includes location, timezone and calculation method. Without that verification, the field should be marked for review.
Image and Illustration Ideas
- A Cheshvan calendar in deep navy and gold, with subtle rain drops, a Torah scroll and Rosh Chodesh marking.
- A family table after the holidays with a printed calendar, a pen and a weekly quiz prompt.
- A clean illustration of Abraham's journey from Lech-Lecha, without overcrowded figures or text.
- A mobile calendar view with "Print PDF" and "Cheshvan Quiz" buttons.