The Month of Sivan

On this day in the year 2448 (1312 B.C.E), the Jewish people camped opposite Mt. Sinai, united as one man with one heart. It was in this merit that we received the Torah.

1 – 12 Sivan /June 7 – 18
No Tachnun

We do not recite Tachnun during the first 12 days of Sivan. The reason for this is that all of these days are significant, as follows:

• The first day of the month is Rosh Chodesh.
• The second day of Sivan is when G-d said: “You will be onto Me a kingdom of princes, etc.” This year it also coincides with Shabbat.
• On the third day of Sivan the Jewish people were commanded not to ascend Mt. Sinai.
• On the fourth and fifth days of the month, married couples were required to separate from their spouses in order to prepare to receive the Torah. (This was a one-time commandment and does not apply nowadays, see below.)
• In addition, on the fifth day of the month, the Jewish people said Na’aseh VeNishmah – We will do and we will listen. See Exodus 19:1 and Rashi there.
• The sixth and the seventh days of the month are the holiday of Shavuot, when the Torah was given.
• The eighth through the twelfth of the month were days when, in the Temple era, one could bring the holiday sacrifices of Shavuot if one did not bring them on Shavuot itself.

We resume saying Tachnun on 13 Sivan (June 19). There are some, however, who resume saying it on 9 Sivan or June 15. This day coincides with Shabbat this year. Others have a custom (outside of Israel) not to say tachanun on the 13th (June 19) as well.

No Fasting

It is customary not to fast from Rosh Chodesh Sivan until the day after Isru Chag (the day after Shavuot).