If you’re checking your phone or glancing at a wall calendar today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, you probably just see mid-January. Winter is in full swing. But in the Jewish world, the clock ticks to a different rhythm. To answer the big question: today on the Jewish calendar is Tevet 26, 5786.
It's a weirdly specific feeling, living in two different years at once. On one hand, you’re in 2026. On the other, you’re deep into the year 5786. This isn't just a different way of naming months; it’s a whole different perspective on how time actually works. While the Gregorian calendar is solar, the Jewish one is lunisolar. Basically, it’s a complex dance between the moon’s phases and the sun’s seasons.
What’s the Vibe of Tevet 26?
Honestly, Tevet is kind of a heavy month. It’s usually cold, the days are short, and it carries the weight of the Tenth of Tevet, a fast day that happened about two weeks ago. By the time we hit the 26th, we’re in that "liminal space." We are nearing the end of the month of Tevet and looking toward the month of Shevat, which brings the "New Year for Trees" (Tu BiShvat).
But right now? It's just a regular Thursday, or Yom Chamishi. No major holidays. No fasting. Just the steady grind of the winter.
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However, in the world of daily Torah study, things are getting intense. Today’s portion comes from Parshat Va'eira. If you’ve ever seen a movie about Egypt and the ten plagues, this is where the action starts. We’re reading about Moses and Aaron standing before Pharaoh. Specifically, the daily reading for this Thursday covers the transition into the actual plagues. It’s about that moment when "no" becomes "enough" and the world starts to shift.
History Hiding in the Dates
Sometimes people think these dates are just empty boxes on a grid. They aren't. Every day on the Jewish calendar has a "memory."
For example, on this day—Tevet 26—history shows us some grim reminders. Back in 1369, King Frederick III of Sicily ordered all Jews to wear a red badge to distinguish them from everyone else. Men had to wear it under their chin, and women on their chests. It’s a dark bit of history that reminds us why keeping track of these dates matters. It’s not just about when the next holiday is; it’s about a continuous chain of existence that goes back thousands of years.
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How the Jewish Calendar Date Today Works
If you’re wondering why the date changed "early," remember that Jewish days don't start at midnight. That’s a Roman thing. In the Jewish tradition, the day starts at sundown.
So, technically, Tevet 26 started on Wednesday evening, January 14. It will end tonight, Thursday, January 15, as soon as the stars come out. If you’re planning a yahrzeit (anniversary of a passing) or a birthday, that sunset rule is everything. It’s why Shabbat starts on Friday night, not Saturday morning.
Here is how the calendar is currently structured for 27 Tevet 5786:
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- The Year: 5786 is a "regular" year (not a leap year).
- The Month: Tevet usually has 29 days.
- The Weekly Portion: Va'eira (Exodus 6:2–9:35).
- The Cycle: We are in the 4th year of the Shemitah (Sabbatical) cycle.
Real-World Timing for Today
If you're trying to keep up with the Zmanim (halachic times) for today, location is everything. Because the Jewish day is tied to the sun, the "hour" isn't always 60 minutes. It's a "proportional hour" based on how much daylight there is.
In Jerusalem today, sunrise was around 6:39 AM. If you're in New York, it was closer to 7:17 AM. This affects everything from when you can say the morning Shema to when the afternoon prayers begin. It's a way of staying tethered to the natural world, rather than just a digital clock.
What Should You Do With This?
Knowing it’s Tevet 26 isn't just trivia. It’s an invitation to sync up with a different frequency. Since we are in the "Shovavim" weeks—an acronym for the Torah portions read this time of year—it's traditionally a time for personal growth and "fixing" things that are broken in our character.
Next Steps to Use Today’s Date:
- Check the Sundown: Use an app like Hebcal or Chabad.org to find the exact minute of sunset in your zip code. That is when Tevet 26 officially hands the baton to Tevet 27.
- Read a Psalm: Today’s specific portion of Tehillim (Psalms) is Chapter 119, verses 97 to 176. It’s the longest chapter in the Bible, focusing on the beauty of Divine law. Even if you aren't religious, the poetry is incredible.
- Plan for Shevat: The new month starts in a few days. If you’ve been wanting to start a "green" habit or plant something, the New Year for Trees is coming up on February 2. Start prepping now.
Time is moving. Whether you call it January 15 or Tevet 26, the goal is the same: don't let the day just pass you by. Make it count.