Almanac of Important Jewish and Biblical Dates

Month Hebrew Name Astrological Sign
Tishrei Moznayim Libra
Cheshvan Akrav Scorpio
Kislev Keshet Sagittarius
Teves G'di Capricorn
Shevat D'li Aquarius
Adar (on leap years there is a double month of Adar) Dagim Pisces
Nissan Taleh Aries
Iyar Shor Taurus
Sivan Teomim Gemini
Tammuz Sartan Cancer
Av Aryeh Leo
Elul Betulah Virgo

Kislev

(Hebrew name: Keshet, Astrological sign: Sagittarius)

1 Yahrzeit of Rabbi Shmeril Varchovker
5 Yahrzeit of Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer HaLevi Eidles, the Maharsha (1555-1631 CE, Poland) - Rosh Yeshivah in Posen for twenty years, Rabbi of Chelm as well as Lublin and Ostrow. He is most well known for his commentary on the Talmud. His primary works, Chiddushei Halachot and Chiddushei Aggodot, are incorporated into all editions of the Talmud. In his time, he was regarded as the Gadol Hador (the great leader of the generation). Generations later, the Baal Shem Tov said that the Maharsha's works were written with divine inspiration (ruach hakodesh).
8 Yahrzeit of Rabbi Aharon of Chernobel
9 Yahrzeit of Rabbi Dov Ber of Lubavitch, the Mitteler Rebbe
10 Yahrzeit of Rabbi Refael Dabosh of Libya
12 Yahrzeit of Rabbi Shlomo Luria, the Maharshal (1510-1574 CE, Poland) - He was a descendant of Rashi, and was related to many prominent Rabbis in his generation, Rabbi Moshe Isserles and Rabbi Meir Katzenellenbogen, etc. He was one of the great Ashkenazic poskim and educators of his time. He had a truly holistic connection to the Talmud with its commentaries as well as the Zohar. He was so connected to the Al-mighty that he could bring about real transformation in this world where he saw that Heaven needed help. Study his works and his life, you'll be amazed. He produced a monumental halachic sefer (book) called Yam Shel Shlomo. He also produced Chochmot Shlomo, a commentary on the Talmud.
13

Yahrzeit of Ravina ben Rav Huna

Yahrzeit of Rabbi Rachamim Mazoz of Jerba

14 Yahrzeit of Reuven ben Yaakov, Prince of the Tribe - Reuven was the firstborn son of Yaakov Aveinu (Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham). He was the Leah Emeinu's son. The tribe of Reuven was the first to receive their Divinely mandated inheritance in the Land of Israel. He had been designated as the firstborn to serve HaKodesh Borchu (G-d), but because of some of his character traits that service was transferred to the Tribe of Levi. The name "Reuven" can be defined as "look at the difference between" my father-in-law's (Isaac's) son, Esav, and my son (so said Leah). Reuven was the first to do Chuva (repentance) of the brothers for the sale of Yoseph (Joseph). Because of this greatness of character, he merited to have Hoshea, the Prophet, as his descendant who was the first to speak to the nation of Israel to do Chuva. Reuven's land inheritance in Israel lay on the east side of the Jordan River.
15 Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yehudah Hanasi; yahrzeit of Rabbi Eliyahu Lavi of Libya.
18

Yahrzeit of Rabbi Avraham HaChasid ben HaRambam

Yahrzeit of Rabbi Baruch of Mezibus (1753-1811 CE, Mizhibuz, Poland) - Grandson of the Baal Shem Tov from his daughter Adel, and her husband Rabbi Yechiel Ashkenazi. He was one of the preeminent Rebbes in his generation. His Torah lectures are compiled in Botzinah De'Nehorah. He had a clear understanding of this material world that is always in transition and seeking its completion through its true purpose.

Yahrzeit of Rabbi Shlomo Tanji of Morocco

19

Yahrzeit of Rabbi Dov Ber, the Magid of Mezeritch

Yahrzeit of Rabbi Chai Taib Tunisia

21 Yahrzeit of Shimon ben Yaakov, Prince of the Tribe (1568-1448 BCE, died in Egypt) - Son of Leah Emeinu. Shimon and Levi executed the males of the city of Shechem for condoning the kidnapping and rape of their sister, Dina. Shimon cast Joseph into the pit and proposed to have him executed. Shimon was later imprisoned by Joseph in Egypt to separate from his brother Levi because they were such a powerful force together. Joseph was kind to Shimon when his brothers departed Egypt. Later, when the Israelites were in Egypt, Shimon assumed the mantle of leadership after Reuven's passing. Zimri was the prince of the Tribe of Shimon that was executed by Pinchas generations later in the desert after leaving Egypt because of his rebellious affair with Princess Cozbi, a princess of Balak. Because of this, the Tribe of Shimon never had a descendant who was a king or a judge.
24 Yahrzeit of Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Abulafia
25

Chanukah First Day

Yahrzeit of Rabbi Chaim Chizkiyahu Medini of Hevron

26

Chanukah Second Day

Yahrzeit of Rabbi Avraham ben David, Ravad III

27

Chanukah Third Day

Yahrzeit of Rabbi Shaul Margaliyot of Lublin

28

Chanukah Fourth Day

Yahrzeit of Rabbi Chayim Chernovitch

Yahrzeit of Rbbi Ezra Chamui of Damascus; Rabbi Shlomo ardit of Izmir.

29

Chanukah Fifth Day

Yahrzeit of Rabbi Aryeh Leibish HaLevi Horowitz of Stanislav.

30

Chanukah Sixth Day - Rosh Chodesh; Outside of Israel, begin to pray, "And grant dew and rain." Some people have a good custom to light a candle for the new month in honor of Rebbe Meir Baal HaNess (the Tanna). In years where there is a second Shabbat of Chanukah, there is a custom to prepare an additional special dish for the occasion.