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Author Archives: mradwin

How to fix iPhone “Cannot Verify Server Identity” error

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If you haven’t signed into a public WiFi or you don’t have access to the Internet, your iPhone may display an error message about the server identity of download.hebcal.com.

This article describes a couple of ways to fix the problem.

The exact error message looks like this:

Cannot Verify Server Identity

The identity of “download.hebcal.com” cannot be verified.

Fix 1: sign into public WiFi

If you are on a public WiFi, sign into the WiFi (see “Use captive Wi-Fi networks on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch“). Or, disable WiFi completely and use your mobile data. Usually this will fix the problem.

Sometimes you’ll need to do the above and also restart your phone.

Fix 2: disable SSL for download.hebcal.com calendars

Another way you can fix it is to disable SSL for the calendar. This will cause your iPhone to refresh any subscribed calendar feeds over HTTP instead of HTTPS.

To disable SSL for a Hebcal calendar that, go to Settings > Calendar > Accounts > Subscribed Calendars > Hebcal and the set “Use SSL” to Off.

Here’s an example screenshot showing the recommended settings:

Three Torah scrolls on Shabbat

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Here’s some halachic trivia for your next cocktail party.

We read from the Torah every Shabbat, but we usually read from a single Torah scroll, and occasionally read from two scrolls.

On three possible occasions (when Rosh Chodesh coincides with a special Shabbat) we read from three sifrei Torah.

  • 1st scroll: regular weekly Torah portion (aliyot 1-6)
  • 2nd scroll: special 7th aliyah for Rosh Chodesh (Numbers 28:9-15)
  • 3rd scroll: special maftir aliyah for the special Shabbat

1. Shabbat Shekalim on Rosh Chodesh

Rosh Chodesh Adar coincides with Shabbat Shekalim about once every 13 years. The weekly Torah portion is always either Parashat Mishpatim or Parashat Terumah. The special maftir for Shabbat Shekalim is Exodus 30:11-16.

Here are a sample of dates, recent past and near future:

2. Shabbat HaChodesh on Rosh Chodesh

Rosh Chodesh Nisan falls on Shabbat HaChodesh once every 3-4 years (approximately 28% of the time). The weekly Torah portion is always either Parashat Tazria or Parashat Vayikra. The special maftir for Shabbat HaChodesh is Exodus 12:1-20.

Here are a sample of dates, recent past and near future:

3. Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah

When Rosh Chodesh Tevet falls on Shabbat Chanukah, we read the first scroll for the weekly portion (always Parashat Miketz), the second for Rosh Chodesh, and the third for Chanukah.

This also happens approximately 28% of the time.

In case you were wondering: if a congregation doesn’t happen to own three Torah scrolls, the congregation waits while the scroll is rolled to the proper position.

Mishna Yomi

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We’re pleased to announce support for Mishna Yomi! This 6-year program of daily learning includes two Mishnayot each day in order to finish the entire Mishnah.

Mishna Yomi is also referred to as משנה יומית, Mishnah Yomi, Mishna Yomit, or Mishna Yomis. You can subscribe to the 7-year calendar feed here:

Apple Google Outlook.com CSV

Here is an example of what the calendar looks like.

January 2022

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
      1

Berakhot 3:2-3
2

Berakhot 3:4-5		3

Berakhot 3:6-4:1		4

Berakhot 4:2-3		5

Berakhot 4:4-5		6

Berakhot 4:6-7		7

Berakhot 5:1-2		8

Berakhot 5:3-4
9

Berakhot 5:5-6:1		10

Berakhot 6:2-3		11

Berakhot 6:4-5		12

Berakhot 6:6-7		13

Berakhot 6:8-7:1		14

Berakhot 7:2-3		15

Berakhot 7:4-5
16

Berakhot 8:1-2		17

Berakhot 8:3-4		18

Berakhot 8:5-6		19

Berakhot 8:7-8		20

Berakhot 9:1-2		21

Berakhot 9:3-4		22

Berakhot 9:5-Peah 1:1
23

Peah 1:2-3		24

Peah 1:4-5		25

Peah 1:6-2:1		26

Peah 2:2-3		27

Peah 2:4-5		28

Peah 2:6-7		29

Peah 2:8-3:1
30

Peah 3:2-3		31

Peah 3:4-5		     

Enjoy your learning!

Outlook for Microsoft 365 for Mac Jewish holidays download

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This page includes instructions on how to subscribe to a Hebcal Jewish holiday calendar 5-year feed in Outlook for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Outlook 2021 for Mac, Outlook 2019 for Mac, and Outlook 2016 for Mac.

Microsoft now recommends that you sync your account to the Microsoft Cloud. “Available for Google, Yahoo, iCloud, and IMAP accounts in Outlook for Mac, this allows you to enjoy many of the best features of Mail and Calendar and Outlook for Mac.”

The following instructions demonstrate how to subscribe to a Hebcal calendar on Outlook.com, and then synchronize those calendars to Outlook for Mac on your desktop.

1. Open a web browser on your macOS computer.

2. Fill out the form with your preferences and click the Create Calendar button

3. Click the Download… button

4. Select the Outlook Web option from the Download dialog box

5. Click the Add to Outlook.com button. This button will take you directly to Microsoft’s Outlook Web calendar import page

6. If prompted, login using your Microsoft username and password

7. When Outlook Web prompts you to Subscribe from web, confirm your options (such as color and charm) and then click the Import button

8. Return to Outlook for Mac on your macOS computer. Go to the Calendar view, then select Tools > Sync

9. Check the box next to the Hebcal calendar in the Other Calendars section on the left side of the page and your events will display

Triennial Torah Reading revision

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Hebcal triennial Torah readings have been updated to reflect the November 2020 responsa from the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly.

The CJLS modified the triennial cycle for some combined parshiyot to change the reading for year 3 to be the third section of the parashah.

The following parshiyot have been modified:

Further details are available in the responsa: Modification of the Triennial Cycle Readings for Combined Parashot in Certain Years, Rabbi Miles B. Cohen, November 16, 2020