Here are some ways to celebrate your birthday as suggested by the Rebbe:

Note: All these suggestions should be implemented on your Jewish birthday. Use our Jewish/Civil Date Converter to find out when your Jewish birthday is.

  • Giving charity should be a daily event. On your special day increase the amount of your contribution, especially before the day's morning and afternoon prayers. If your birthday falls on Shabbat or a Jewish holiday when handling money is forbidden, give the added charity beforehand and afterwards.

  • Spend some extra time praying, focusing on meditating and concentrating on the words of the prayers.

  • Say as many Psalms as possible. Ideally, you should try to read the whole book, or at least complete one of its five books (Psalms is divided into five books).

  • Study the Psalm that corresponds to your new year. This is your age plus one — e.g. Psalm 25 if this is your 24th birthday. Click here to study it online. This is also the Psalm which you should try to say daily until your next birthday.

  • Take some time out to contemplate on your past year. Consider which areas require improvement, and resolve to do so.

  • Learn some extra Torah on this day.

  • Study a Chassidic idea and repeat it at a gathering in honor of your birthday. Follow the following links for Short Insights, or some Essays.

  • Partake of a new fruit which you did not yet taste during this season and recite the Shehecheyanu blessing.

  • Take the time to teach another something about Torah and Judaism.

  • Commit yourself to doing a particular good deed. Choose something practical and doable! Click here for some ideas.

  • Men and boys over the age of thirteen: On the Shabbat beforehand, get an aliyah in the synagogue. If the birthday falls on a day when the Torah is read, be sure to receive an aliyah on that day too.

Click here for more information on birthdays.

Have a happy and meaningful birthday!