This page will attempt to explain the various dates in the Jewish Calendar, feast or fast. I should state at this point that the Jewish calendar is lunar, so I cannot give you exact dates for these holidays. The holiday titles which are coloured mean that they are hyperlinked to a special page all about that particular holiday.
- Tisha B'Av (the 9th of the month of Av - a 25 hour fast) This fast occurs in late July or early August.
On this 25 hour fast of food and water, we mourn the destruction of both temples. We are in full mourning as if for a dead relative; we sit on low chairs, we don't wear leather shoes, we don't wash, or greet one another. It is the saddest day in our calendar.
- Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Jewish New Year and Day Of Atonement - a 25 hour fast)
- Otherwise known as the High Holy Days.
Rosh Hashanah is a two day holiday; this year (2009) it falls on Saturday (Shabbos) and Sunday 19th and 20th September, beginning as always on the evening before, at sunset (ie Friday 18th).
A serious time of year for Jews; usually ocurring in September, or early October .. a time of contemplation and reflection on past deeds and resolutions for the future. Unlike the secular New Year, this is not a time for ribald revelry, but more for serious joyousness. Serious, because we are aware our fate is decided at this time, but joyous, because we are confident our prayers will be answered. Many symbolic foods are eaten, centred around honey, to denote our wishes for a good, sweet year. A ram's horn (shofar) is blown in synagogue a hundred times each of the two days unless one day falls on Sabbath; the eery sound of which is meant to awaken the sinner to repentance. It certainly wakes any stray synagogue dozers!
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is a 25 hour fast ocurring ten days after Rosh Hashanah; when we don't eat or drink. The day is spent in prayer.
- Sukkot
- Tabernacles; a joyous festival five days after Yom Kippur; after all the seriousness of the High Holy Days.
This is to celebrate when the Jews spent 40 years in the wilderness after leaving Egypt as slaves and dwelled in small huts or Sukkot. We eat our meals in similar, but prettily decorated huts with only leaves for a roof (an optional roof pays tribute to the British inclement weather. In Israel this festival is simply wonderful due to the climate.
- Purim
- Minor festival a month before Passover, usually around March time.
This is the only jewish festival where a booze-up is actually encouraged. Children put on fancy dress and a wild time is had by all for a day.
- Passover
- Festival ocurring exactly one month after Purim; to celebrate the freedom from slavery of the Israelites when they left Egypt.
This festival is one where no flour based products are allowed except matzos..or unleavened bread. More details about Passover in my Kosher FAQ
- Shavuot
- Festival occuring exactly 49 days after Passover.
To Celebrate the Giving of the Torah or Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.
- Hannukah
- Festival of Lights ocurring around Christmas time
This eight day festival celebrates the victory of the Maccabees against the Greeks. We light an eight branched "Menorah" or candelabra, adding another light each night. It's usual to give the children money or small gifts at this time.
Jewish Holidays (and Sabbaths too) all begin at sunset of one day and end at dark of another. Sabbath is 25 hours - but most festivals are two days in duration. During the Sabbath and festivals we are not allowed to drive cars or operate machinery. On the Sabbath (different from festivals) we can neither cook nor carry articles in the street. This includes pushing prams. Some of you might be aware of the "Eruv" debate. An eruv is an enclosed area which enables jews to carry and push prams on the sabbath.
I hope this has given an insight into our sabbath and holidays.