1. Sivan is the 3rd Month on the Jewish Calendar Counting from the springtime month of Nisan , Sivan is the third month on the calendar. Conversely, counting from the month of Tishrei ( Rosh Hashanah ) in the fall, it is month number nine. Read: Our Other Head

2. Sivan Is First Mentioned by Name in the Book of Esther Like the other contemporary Hebrew names of the months, Sivan originated during the Babylonian exile. Thus, we first encounter it in the Book of Esther when we read of a royal communication allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies which was issued on the 23rd day of “the third month, which is the month of Sivan.” Read: The Basic Purim Story

3. It’s When We Were Given the Torah at Sinai On the first day of the third month after the Exodus, our ancestors arrived at Mount Sinai. Six days later, G‑d descended upon the mountain and communicated the 10 Commandments. The timing was exquisite. The Torah contains three parts (Torah, Prophets, and Writings), the Jewish nation has three tiers (Kohen, Levite, and Israelite), Moses was the third child (following Miriam and Aaron), and it was the third day since G‑d had commanded that men and women separate in anticipation of the great event. Read: What Happened at Matan Torah?

5. Wheat Is Harvested in Sivan In Israel, crops grow through the rainy winter season. By Sivan, they’re ready for harvesting. In ancient times, two wheat loaves, made from fresh grain, were offered in the Holy Temple on Shavuot. It was also at this time that people would begin to bring bikkurim , their first and choicest fruits and grains, to thank G‑d for Israel’s bounty. Read: Shtei Halechem: The Two Breads

6. The Zodiac of Sivan Is Gemini (Twins) Following Aries (ram) and Taurus (ox), the Gemini (twins, te’omim in Hebrew) is the first zodiac sign that is a human (the only other is Virgo, the virgin). The sages explain that this is appropriate for the month when we received the Torah, as only a human can extoll, clap, and dance with joy over this momentous event. Watch: Do Jews Believe in Zodiac?

7. Sivan Is Associated With Jacob The third month is a composite of the first two months, distilling and combining their qualities. Thus it is connected to Jacob, who perfected and synthesized the unique paths of Abraham and Isaac who preceded him. And of course, Jacob was a twin to Esau, who took the following two months, Tammuz and Av, associated with the destruction of both holy Temples. Read: Jacob of the Bible

8. Some People Fast and Mourn on 20 Sivan Over the years, several tragedies have befallen the Jewish people during the month of Sivan. In 1096, during the first days of the month, mobs of frenzied crusaders murdered Jews in Worms, Maintz, and other Rhinish cities. Following the 1171 massacre of the Jews of Blois, France, who had been falsely accused of murdering a Christian child, Rabbenu Tam declared 20 Sivan a fast day. This was reinforced after thousands of German Jews were butchered during the 1289 Rindfleisch massacre at the same time of year. In time, this day became a memorial for victims of the 1648 Cossack riots (tach vetat), many of whom met their deaths at this time of year. Today, this fast is only observed by some Chassidic communities. Read: The Martyrs of Blois

9. The Month Begins With an Element of Mourning Each new month is announced and blessed in shul on Shabbat Mevarchim, the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh. Because it is a joyous day, we omit the Av Harachamim prayer for the millions of Jewish martyrs who gave their lives to sanctify G‑d’s name. According to Chabad custom, on the Shabbat preceding the month of Sivan we say this prayer as usual, in deference to the bloody history of the season. Read: Shabbat Mevarchim