Jewish Calendar Times Thursday, December 7, 2023, 24 Kislev, 5784
Jewish Calendar Times Thursday, December 7, 2023, 24 Kislev, 5784 Menorah Lighting Light 1 light on the Menorah after 4:35 PM Torah Reading Vayeishev: Genesis 37:1-11 Jewish History Construction of the Second Temple Resumes (353 BCE) In the first year of rule of Cyrus, the King of Persia , Jews were given permission to return to Israel and rebuild the Holy Temple . A group of Jews led by Zerubavel set out for Jerusalem and began working on the second Temple. However, the Cutheans falsely accused the Jews of plotting a rebellion against King Cyrus and were successful in halting the construction of the Holy Temple for the remainder of his reign and throughout the reign of Ahasuerus, his successor. Construction resumed in the second year of the reign of Darius, Ahasuerus's son, on the 24th of Kislev. Laws and Customs Kindle One Chanukah Light tonight The eight-day festival of Chanukah begins tonight. In commemoration of the miracle of the oil (see " Today in Jewish History &