New Year on the secular calendar is usually marked as a time of resolutions and newly affirmed commitments the world over. For a religious Jewish tradition, January 1 seems to simply be a day by which we can keep track of the calendar. Call it coincidence, hashgacha, or whatever you like - but this time period does seem to be a time for new קבלות (resolutions).

Chanukah spills over into the month of Teves. What is the link? The Gerrer Rebbe (Chidushei HaRim) notes that over the course of Chanukah we lit 36 candles. This corresponds to the 36 days from the beginning of Chanukah up until the end of the month of Teves. This essentially means that the guiding lights of Chanukah permeate the entire month. To take this one step further: the word Teves is etymologically similar to Hatavos, as in Hatavas Haneiros. Hatavas Haneiros means to fix or improve the candles. Teves, then, is a month of making good, improvement. Resolutions.

Yesterday we marked the fast of the 10th of Teves. What is this fast day all about? 10th of Teves is the siege of Jerusalem led by Nebuchanezzar (588 B.C.E.), ruler of Babylon. With all the days that we have on our calendar recognizing the Temple's destruction, why do we need a day commemorating the siege of Jerusalem? R. Moshe Sofer opines that this fast day is a unique fast day. Nothing was destroyed just yet. The real tragedy had not yet happened. But this was a powerful wake up call for a people who already were not heeding the words of their prophets. Here is your opportunity: do you change your ways? Do you make new and bold commitments? Or do you continue to ignore the writing on the wall and maintain the behavior that has led to the siege? The 10th of Teves is a day of opportunity. It holds the banner of what Teves stands for: improvement and new resolutions.

With the light of Chanukah still shining, and an opportune month sitting on our laps - what changes will we make in our lives?