Cheshvan — also known as MarCheshvan — is the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar, following the spiritually rich month of Tishrei. After the abundance of festivals — Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah — Cheshvan arrives quietly, without any holidays or fasts. Yet, this apparent “silence” carries deep meaning and hidden potential.
Unlike every other month in the Jewish calendar, Cheshvan contains no special celebrations or mitzvot. The sages say this is not an oversight, but a sign of Cheshvan’s unique destiny. According to tradition, when the Third Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) will be built in the days of Mashiach, it will be dedicated in Cheshvan — transforming its quietness into everlasting joy. Thus, Cheshvan is sometimes viewed as a “reserved month”, awaiting its ultimate elevation.
One of the most significant biblical events connected with Cheshvan is the Great Flood in the time of Noach (Noah). The Torah tells us that the rains began on the 17th of Cheshvan and ended the following year on the 27th of Cheshvan, when the earth finally dried. This event symbolizes both judgment and renewal, reminding us that even in times of destruction, Hashem plants the seeds of rebirth and promise.
According to Kabbalistic tradition, each Hebrew month corresponds to a letter of the Aleph-Bet. Cheshvan’s letter is נ (Nun), which represents “nefilah” (falling) but also “nes” (miracle) and “nitzachon” (victory). It teaches that even when one falls, there is potential for miraculous rise — a reflection of the month’s transformative energy. The Nun also hints at the 50th Gate of Understanding (Nun Sha’arei Binah), associated with redemption and the Messianic era, further tying Cheshvan to future spiritual fulfillment.
Cheshvan corresponds to the Tribe of Menashe, one of Yosef’s sons, symbolizing growth, healing, and the power to forget pain (“Ki nashani Elokim” – “For God has made me forget my hardship”). The mazal (zodiac sign) of the month is Scorpio – Akrav, representing the power to transform bitterness into sweetness, and to channel intense emotion into positive action.
After the elevated experiences of Tishrei, Cheshvan is a time to integrate holiness into daily life. It is the bridge between inspiration and practical living — when we take the commitments, insights, and spiritual energy from the High Holidays and bring them into the routine of ordinary days. Cheshvan calls for steady faith, consistent deeds, and quiet strength.
While Tishrei dazzles with its festivals, Cheshvan’s beauty is subtle — a month of depth, inner work, and anticipation. The “Mar” in MarCheshvan (literally “bitter”) reflects its lack of holidays, yet it also means “a drop of water” in Aramaic, connecting it to the life-giving rains that begin to fall in Israel during this month. Thus, Cheshvan becomes a month of renewal, fertility, and blessing.