The Hebrew calendar, also known as the Jewish calendar, is a lunisolar calendar used primarily for Jewish religious observances. It determines the dates of holidays, Torah readings, and other traditional events.
The Hebrew calendar is both lunar and solar, with months based on the Moon’s cycle and years adjusted to match the Sun’s seasons. This system ensures that holidays align with their appropriate agricultural and historical seasons, such as Passover in the spring and Sukkot in the fall.
Jewish holidays commemorate key events in Jewish history and express spiritual themes of renewal, freedom, gratitude, and faith. Major observances include:
- Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year, marking the beginning of the High Holy Days.
- Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement, a solemn day of fasting and repentance.
- Sukkot – The Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness.
- Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah – Celebrations following Sukkot, marking the completion and restarting of the annual Torah reading cycle.
- Hanukkah – The Festival of Lights, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
- Tu BiShvat – The “New Year of the Trees,” often associated with nature and environmental awareness.
- Purim – A joyful holiday commemorating the salvation of the Jewish people in the story of Esther.
- Passover (Pesach) – Celebrates the Exodus from Egypt and freedom from slavery.
- Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day.
- Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israel’s Independence Day.
- Lag BaOmer – A festive day during the Omer counting period between Passover and Shavuot.
- Shavuot – The Feast of Weeks, commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
- Tisha B’Av – A day of mourning marking the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.
The Hebrew calendar uses lunar months of 29 or 30 days, with an extra month (Adar II) added seven times in a 19-year cycle to synchronize with the solar year. This keeps holidays aligned with their intended seasons.
The Hebrew calendar links Jewish faith, history, and community. Each holiday invites reflection on key themes such as renewal, gratitude, liberation, and devotion, forming the rhythm of Jewish spiritual life throughout the year.
Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Passover, and Shavuot are among the most widely observed holidays in the Hebrew calendar.
Because the Hebrew calendar follows a lunisolar system, its holidays shift relative to the purely solar Gregorian calendar. Intercalary months help keep holidays in their correct seasons.
It remains central to Jewish religious life, guiding the timing of holidays, Shabbat readings, memorials, and daily rituals.