10 Tevet – Yom HaSheleg (Day of Snow)
The Tanakh contains the concept of
“Yom HaSheleg” (Day of Snow).
The Book of
Shmuel (II, 23:20–21) and
Divrei HaYamim (I, 11:23) mention the
“Day of Snow” in connection with
Benaiah son of Jehoiada—the great general of the two kings, David and Solomon. (His grave in Biriya is an extraordinary place of spiritual power.)
The Tanakh states: “And Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, renowned for his deeds, from Kabzeel; he slew the two mighty men of Moab; he also went down and slew a lion in a pit on a snowy day. He also slew an Egyptian, a notable man; the Egyptian had something in his hand, and he went down and struck the lion in the pit on the
Day of Snow.”
In the
Ketuvim, there is an interpretation by
Rabbi Yosef, one of the greatest
Amoraim, who says that
“Yom HaSheleg” (Day of Snow) refers to
10 Tevet—the day of
Tzom/Ta'anit (the fast).
The
Zohar HaKadosh offers a profound Kabbalistic explanation of this verse: the
“Day of Snow” is a day of Divine Judgment, indicating the negative aspect of this day.
However, since snow melts when the temperature changes and turns into water, this hints that this natural phenomenon is temporary, as are the judgments it symbolizes.
Hashem created one opposite the other, and remedies before illnesses, as our
Chazal teach us.
The same is true of the Day of Snow. Salvation is inherent in the very day of judgment.
The gematria of
יום השלג is equal to
394.
394 is also the gematria of words such as
שולחן – “shulchan” (table) and
חופש – “hofesh” (freedom).
By overcoming judgments and enduring trials, a person gains freedom (
hofesh) and thanks Hashem for his salvation at a set table (
shulchan) of thanksgiving—the
Seudat Hoda'ah.
More interesting material about snow in the light of Judaism on our website:
Yom HaSheleg (Day of Snow) – Segulot and Tikkunim
Yom Ha-Sheleg (the Day of Snow) – Tikkun Ha-Sheleg
Tehillim 147 – Snow and Wool
Tehillim 147 – Snow and Wool
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