Months Of The Hebrew Calendar

The Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar that is used by the Jewish people for religious purposes. It has 12 months, each with its own significance and meaning. In this article, we will explore the months of the Hebrew calendar and their importance.

The Months of the Hebrew Calendar

The Hebrew calendar begins in the month of Tishrei, which usually falls in September or October in the Gregorian calendar. The months of the Hebrew calendar are:

Tishrei

Tishrei is the first month of the Hebrew calendar and is considered the month of new beginnings. It is the month of the High Holy Days, which include Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Cheshvan

Cheshvan is the second month of the Hebrew calendar and is known as the "bitter month" because it has no holidays or special observances.

Kislev

Kislev is the third month of the Hebrew calendar and is known for the holiday of Hanukkah, which usually falls in December.

Tevet

Tevet is the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar and is a month of fasting and mourning. The 10th of Tevet is a fast day that commemorates the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem.

Shevat

Shevat is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar and is known for the holiday of Tu B'Shevat, which celebrates the new year for trees.

Adar

Adar is the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar and is known for the joyous holiday of Purim, which usually falls in February or March.

Nissan

Nissan is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar and is known as the month of redemption. It is the month of Passover, which celebrates the Jewish people's liberation from slavery in Egypt.

Iyar

Iyar is the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar and is known for the holiday of Lag Ba'Omer, which celebrates the end of a plague that killed thousands of Rabbi Akiva's students.

Sivan

Sivan is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar and is known for the holiday of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.

Tammuz

Tammuz is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar and is a month of mourning. The 17th of Tammuz is a fast day that commemorates the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.

Av

Av is the eleventh month of the Hebrew calendar and is known as the month of tragedy. It is the month of Tisha B'Av, which commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

Elul

Elul is the twelfth month of the Hebrew calendar and is considered the month of repentance. It is the month leading up to the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Question and Answer

Q: Why is the Hebrew calendar a lunisolar calendar?

A: The Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar because it is based on both the cycles of the moon and the sun. The months are based on the cycles of the moon, while the years are based on the cycles of the sun.

Q: What is the significance of the High Holy Days?

A: The High Holy Days, which include Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, are considered the most important days of the Jewish year. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and is a time of introspection and reflection, while Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement and is a time for fasting and repentance.

Q: What is the importance of Passover?

A: Passover is an important holiday in the Jewish calendar because it celebrates the Jewish people's liberation from slavery in Egypt. It is a time for retelling the story of the exodus and for celebrating freedom and redemption.

Q: Why is Tisha B'Av a day of mourning?

A: Tisha B'Av is a day of mourning because it commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. It is a time for reflecting on the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history.

Q: What is the significance of the month of Elul?

A: The month of Elul is considered a time of repentance and reflection leading up to the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It is a time for spiritual preparation and for seeking forgiveness from others and from God.