It's Not All So Gloomy – the Month of Mar-Cheshvan

So, Mar-Cheshvan! Even little children know that this month is called bitter (mar) because it has no holidays. Moreover, it is thought that this is a time of particular decline after an eventful autumn (spiritually speaking, of course). In some communities, it is not even customary to hold weddings in Cheshvan. In a word, sheer gloom...

And do you know what? Enough! It isn't all so gloomy :). The word “mar” also means “drop.” This is connected with the beginning of the rainy season in Eretz Yisrael. And the original name of Cheshvan is Bul. According to one opinion, the Flood (Mabul) began in Cheshvan. Mabul (bilbul) is connected with chaos and confusion. Bul, however, means “exactly,” “just so,” and alludes to the Torah, since bet is its first letter, lamed its last, and vav is right in the middle, in the word “gachon.” Yalkut Shimoni says that the Third Temple will be rebuilt specifically in Cheshvan! A little more cheerful already, isn't it?

And to finish, something beautiful...

The Baal Shem Tov says: “The name of the month Marcheshvan comes from the word ‘rachash’ (rustling, whispering), for the prayers of Tishrei are still ‘rustling’ (merachashot) in the air...”.

Wishing you a good and blessed month!