Sivan, Explained: The Month of Shavuot, History, and Meaning

1. Sivan is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar if you count from Tishrei, and the third if you count from Nisan.

2. The month of Sivan is always full—meaning it always has 30 days. However, it has only one day of Rosh Chodesh, because Iyar is always a short month.

3. Like the other month names, this one came from the Babylonian exile. Its origin is likely the word "sivanu," meaning "appointed time." The name of the month is first mentioned in Megillat Esther (8:9).

4. Another explanation: Sivan is a Babylonian word derived from the Assyrian term "sivanu," which probably refers to the season of the sun's heat.

5. Events that took place in Sivan in Jewish history: On 1 Sivan, the Israelites came to the Sinai Desert to receive the Torah; on 6 Sivan, the people of Israel received the Torah, and that day was established as the festival of Shavuot.

6. Although today we celebrate Shavuot on 6 Sivan, note that there is a dispute among the Tannaim about the exact date of the Giving of the Torah. Rabbi Yosi holds that the Torah was given on 7 Sivan, while the Sages say it was on 6 of the month.

7. On Shavuot, King David was both born and passed away (some see this as one reason for reading Megillat Ruth on that day), and Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, of blessed memory, the founder of the Hasidic movement, also passed away.

8. According to tradition, on 25 Sivan, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel and Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha the High Priest, and Rabbi Hanina, the deputy of the priests, were killed; they were among the Ten Martyrs.

9. On 27 Sivan, Rabbi Hanina ben Teradyon was burned, together with a Torah scroll. On 20 Sivan, the Jews of Poland established a fast day in memory of the victims of persecutions.

10. The zodiac sign of the month is Gemini, hinting at Moses and Aaron, who were considered equal, and through whom the Torah was given to Israel in this month.