Shovevim
Encyclopedia
Shovevim is an acronym for the Jewish weekly Torah portions of "Shemot
", "Va'era
", "Bo
", B'Shallach
", "Yitro
" and "Mishpatim
". The period in which those portions are read typically falls around January-February.
During this 6 week time period in the Hebrew calendar
, it is customary to be more careful not to violate any of the sex-related transgressions (such as masturbation) commanded in the Torah
. Some also study the laws relating to such transgressions, or recite special tikkunim (Kabbalistic prayers or meditations) designed to counteract their harmful effects.
There are those Jews who have a custom to fast every Monday and Thursday during these weeks.
The origin to these customs in based on Jewish Kabbalistic
teachings and therefore Sephardic and Hassidic Jews are more likely to follow these customs than their Ashkenazic counterparts.
There are extra prayers added called "Tikkun Shovavim" during these weeks.
On occasion one sees references to an eight-week period called "Shovavim Tat", derived by adding the next two portions, "Terumah
" and "Tetzaveh
", to the list.
Shemot (parsha)
Shemot, Shemoth, or Shemos is the thirteenth weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the first in the book of Exodus...
", "Va'era
Va'eira
Va'eira, Va'era, or Vaera is the fourteenth weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the second in the book of Exodus...
", "Bo
Bo (parsha)
Bo is the fifteenth weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the third in the book of Exodus...
", B'Shallach
Beshalach
Beshalach, Beshallach, or Beshalah is the sixteenth weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the fourth in the book of Exodus...
", "Yitro
Yitro (parsha)
Yitro, Yithro, or Yisro is the seventeenth weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the fifth in the book of Exodus...
" and "Mishpatim
Mishpatim
Mishpatim is the eighteenth weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the sixth in the book of Exodus...
". The period in which those portions are read typically falls around January-February.
During this 6 week time period in the Hebrew calendar
Hebrew calendar
The Hebrew calendar , or Jewish calendar, is a lunisolar calendar used today predominantly for Jewish religious observances. It determines the dates for Jewish holidays and the appropriate public reading of Torah portions, yahrzeits , and daily Psalm reading, among many ceremonial uses...
, it is customary to be more careful not to violate any of the sex-related transgressions (such as masturbation) commanded in the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
. Some also study the laws relating to such transgressions, or recite special tikkunim (Kabbalistic prayers or meditations) designed to counteract their harmful effects.
There are those Jews who have a custom to fast every Monday and Thursday during these weeks.
The origin to these customs in based on Jewish Kabbalistic
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
teachings and therefore Sephardic and Hassidic Jews are more likely to follow these customs than their Ashkenazic counterparts.
There are extra prayers added called "Tikkun Shovavim" during these weeks.
On occasion one sees references to an eight-week period called "Shovavim Tat", derived by adding the next two portions, "Terumah
Terumah (parsha)
Terumah or Trumah is the nineteenth weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the seventh in the book of Exodus...
" and "Tetzaveh
Tetzaveh
Tetzaveh, Tetsaveh, T'tzaveh, or T'tzavveh is the 20th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the eighth in the book of Exodus...
", to the list.