Jewish Holidays and Festivals
Day follows day with wearisome monotony. Only the holidays twine themselves together to form the circle of the year. Only through holidays does life experience the eternity of the river that returns to its sources. Then life becomes eternal.
-- Franz Rosensweig, 1886-1929
You shall rejoice in your festivals and shall be altogether joyful.
-- Deuteronomy 16:14-15
One has nothing else to do on a festival, only either to eat and drink or to sit and study.
-- Rabbi Eliezer, 1st century CE
Like the rituals marking important events in the life cycle of each Jewish person, holidays are an important part of Jewish life. They help to keep tradition alive, contribute to a sense of community and belonging, remind believers of important historical events, and ensure regular reflection and celebration of the sacred.
The most important Jewish holy days are the Sabbath, the three pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot) and the two High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). It is forbidden to work on any of these days.
Jewish Holiday Calendar 2006-2011
Dates of Jewish holidays for the next five years.
Shabbat: The Sabbath
Many people know that the Sabbath is Saturday, the day of the week on which Jews are forbidden to work. From the Jewish perspective, the Sabbath is not about rules but about joyful celebration and rest. Full article »
Days of Awe
The Days of Awe are the 10 days from the beginning of Rosh Hashanah to the end of Yom Kippur. This important period, which occurs in the autumn, is devoted to introspection, repentance, and atonement for sin. Full article »
Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights
Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is probably the Jewish holiday that non-Jews are most familiar with, due to its coincidental proximity to Christmas. It is not, however, the "Jewish Christmas" - it historically predates Christmas and is an entirely different celebration. Full article »
Pesach: Passover
Passover is a spring holiday commemorating the Exodus - the liberation of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt in the time of Moses (circa 13th century BCE). Its observances, most of which are instituted in chapters 12 to 15 of the book of Exodus, include special dietary restrictions ("Kosher of Passover") and a special meal. Full article »
Purim
Purim is a joyful spring holiday that features a festive meal, gift-giving, costumes, noisemakers in the synagogue, and required drunkenness. It is sometimes known to non-Jews as "the Jewish Mardi Gras" or "the Jewish Halloween." Full article »
Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year" and is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. It is the day on which the year number changes, but unlike secular New Year celebrations, Rosh Hashanah is a solemn and holy time. It occurs on the first and second days of Tishri, which falls in September or October. Full article »
Sukkot: Festival of Booths
Sukkoth is known by several names: the "Festival of the Ingathering" (Khag ha-Asif), the "Festival of Booths" (Khag ha-Sukkot); "The Festival" (Khag), and the "Season of Rejoicing" (Zeman Simkhateinu). Full article »
Tu B'Shevat
Tu B'Shevat, or the "15th of Shevat," is the New Year for Trees. It is the day chosen to count the age of a newly-planted tree for the purposes of obeying a Levitical law. Over the years, the holiday has also developed into a day for celebrating (and enjoying) the fruit of the earth and focusing on care of the environment. Full article »
Yom Kippur: The Days of Awe
Yom Kippur, celebrated on the 10th day of Tishri, is the most important and solemn of Jewish holidays. Yom Kippur is the occasion on which otherwise nonobservant Jews are most likely to attend synagogue, refrain from work, or fast. Full article »
