Jewish Holidays

Jewish Calendar

In Jewish tradition, the day begins at sunset, so holidays are also celebrated in the evening. The reason can be found in the Torah, in the book of Bereishit (“Genesis”): “And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”

The Jewish calendar is a combination of lunar and solar calendars. Months are calculated based on the movement of the Moon around the Earth, while days and years are based on the movement of the Earth around the Sun. Because of this, holidays according to the Jewish calendar fall on the same dates every year, while their dates in the Gregorian calendar change. At the same time, holidays always remain tied to their seasons, such as Passover in spring and Sukkot in autumn.

Significance of Jewish Holidays

Jewish holidays represent an important part of the religious, historical, and cultural life of the Jewish people. They are an opportunity for prayer, remembrance, reflection, and spiritual growth, but also a time for joy, family, and community.

Each holiday has its own special story, symbolism, and customs. They are expressed through holiday prayers, songs, rituals, and traditional meals, and are passed down from generation to generation, thus preserving the connection to the history and tradition of the Jewish people.

Jewish holidays include major holidays, pilgrimage holidays, fast days, as well as holidays established in more recent history. Among them are Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, Yom Yerushalayim, and Yom Ha'atzmaut, which hold a special place in the contemporary life of the Jewish people.

Learn more about the holidays