You are part of a growing community of women joining together monthly on Rosh Chodesh for inspiration and connection. This month, Chodesh Cheshvan is also known as Chodesh MarCheshvan. Why? The classic answer is that it is a bitter month without any holidays. The Pri Chadash (Even Ha'ezer 126:7) offers an alternative explanation. The name Mar Cheshvan is based on the fact that it is the beginning of the rainy season. The Targum translates mar as tipah, a drop, in the verse "Hen goyim k'mar midli — Behold, the nations are as a drop of [water from] a bucket" (Isaiah 40:15). The name suggests a rainy Cheshvan rather than a bitter Cheshvan. Notice that the word mar is a drop in the bucket. Our efforts in taking the holiness of Tishrei may feel overwhelming. Our approach in transitioning to reality needs to be one drop at a time. Change happens slowly but many little drops eventually add up to rain. Just as each drop counts, each of our actions make a difference.
Our virtual Rosh Chodesh Elul shiur with Mrs. Rivka Alter will take place Wednesday, October 6 at 12 noon EDT at ou.org/women/video.
Mrs. Rivka Alter has taught Tanach and Halacha for over twenty years in NY, NJ and CO. Presently, she is a member of the Judaic studies faculty at Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central). Rivka frequently teaches women and teens in Bergenfield, NJ, where she resides. She regularly teaches kallah classes and serves as a Yoetzet Halacha for the Riverdale, NY Jewish community. At the OU Women's Initiative, Rivka taught Sefer Melachim II to over 4,000 women worldwide as part of Torat Imecha Nach Yomi, presented a shiur at the Siyum event, served as a Counting Toward Sinai Scholar-in-Residence and presented a recording on tefillah as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series. Rivka, and her husband Daniel, are the proud parents of seven children ranging in age from 6 to 22. 
Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman
Director, The Women's Initiative
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