Last week, when synagogues read the „Shemot“ Torah portion, began the days of the Shovevim (an acronym for the weekly Torah portions of „Shemot“, „Va‘era“, „Bo“, B‘Shallach“, „Yitro“ and „Mishpatim“).

During these six weeks, according to Kabbalah, it is customary to torture oneself twice a week (on Mondays and Thursdays) for atonement purposes.