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  The Month of Shvat:

  The month of Shvat is the 5th in the Jewish calendar which starts in Tishrey.
  The origins of the name "Shvat" are controversial. Some say that it is originated from the Acadian word "Sabatu" which means 'a hit', due the strong winds that indicate this month. Others say that it is originated from a special tree branch which is called a "Shvatvat" which indicates the beginning of post winter blossoming. One way or another, the month of Shvat indicates the thin boundary between the climax of the winter and the early beginnings of the spring.

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  The Month of Tevet:

  The first day of the month of TEVET is one day before the last day of Chanukah (the 7th). Just as the nucleus of a seed contains the DNA of the cell, so the first day of the month is the key to all the power and secrets hidden in it. Many Jewish commentaries say that it is a month where we can shine great light into our lives, just as the Menorah used to in the Temple.

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  The Month of KISLEV:

  The word KISLEV, as with the names of the other Hebrew months, comes from Babylonian, and means: 'thick'. The name that it bears is as a result of the amount of rain which falls during the month of KISLEV which is said to be 'thick in water'. Towards the end of the month (the 25th) we celebrate Chanukah, the holiday of light and victory. It was during Chanukah that the Maccabeans, who were few in number, were successful in battle against the Greek Empire succeeding in keeping the governing power in Jerusalem during 2nd Temple era.

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  The Month of CHESHVAN:

  Along with the blossoming of the squill and the first drops of rain, the month of CHESHVAN brings autumn. The land and its people are thirsty for water after the long dry summer. In addition to this, the month of CHESHVAN brings an end to Tishrey's many festivals and holidays. It allows us, (or forces us in some cases), to go back to our everyday lives and routines before the winter holidays arrive. In fact, although there are a few special days during the month of CHESHVAN, it actually contains no official holidays.

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  The Month of Tishrey

  The first month in the Hebrew calendar is the month of Tishrey. It is the month in which we believe the world was created. This gives sense to the prayers that are recited during Rosh ha Shana where much emphasis and acknowledgement is given to crowning THE KING in his kingdom. The Torah, however, refers to this month as being the 7th one; the reason being that the Torah refers to Pessach (the month of Nissan where Israel was redeemed out of Egypt), as the starting point of the Jewish calendar even though Jewish tradition says that the month of Tishrey is the beginning and renewal of all things.

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  The Month of ELUL

  The month of ELUL is the last month of the year. It also called "the month of mercy and forgiveness".
  "חודש הרחמים והסליחות"
  Our great Rabbis found an interesting achronim to the name ELUL:
  "אני לדודי ודודי לי"
  The phrase is taken out of Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs) and talks about oneself belonging to God and worshipping Him. During the month of ELUL we are starting to say the 'Slichot' prayers everyday early before dawn.

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  The month of Av:

  There is a saying in the Mishna (part of Jewish philosophy) that states: "...from the beginning of Av we shall lessen with joy and happiness...". This is due to the fact that it was in the month of Av that both the temples were destroyed (on the 9th day of the month- Tisha B'Av). The source of the name is from the Babylonian, in which the meaning is "fire". This is due to the extremely hot weather we get at this time of the year.

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