Jewish Holidays
From Torahpedia, the free Torah encyclopedia
The Jewish calendar is filled with holidays and observances that commemorate historical events, agricultural cycles, and spiritual milestones. Below is a comprehensive list.
Biblical Holidays
- Shabbat — The weekly day of rest (Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 20:8–11).
- Rosh Hashanah — Jewish New Year (1–2 Tishrei). Day of judgment and remembrance.
- Yom Kippur — Day of Atonement (10 Tishrei). Fasting and repentance.
- Sukkot — Feast of Tabernacles (15–21 Tishrei). Dwelling in booths; Four Species.
- Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah — (22 Tishrei). Conclusion of Sukkot; rejoicing with the Torah.
- Pesach (Passover) — (15–21 Nisan). Commemorates the Exodus from Egypt.
- Shavuot — Feast of Weeks (6 Sivan). Commemorates the giving of the Torah.
Rabbinic & Minor Holidays
- Chanukah — (25 Kislev – 2/3 Tevet). Festival of Lights; rededication of the Temple.
- Purim — (14 Adar). Commemorates the salvation of the Jews in Persia (Book of Esther).
- Tu BiShvat — (15 Shevat). New Year for Trees.
- Lag BaOmer — (18 Iyar). Celebration of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai; end of semi-mourning.
- Tu B'Av — (15 Av). Day of love and joy.
Fast Days & Mourning
- Tisha B'Av — (9 Av). Mourning the destruction of both Temples.
- Fast of Gedaliah — (3 Tishrei). Mourning the assassination of Gedaliah.
- 10th of Tevet — Siege of Jerusalem.
- 17th of Tammuz — Breach of Jerusalem's walls.
- Fast of Esther — (13 Adar). Before Purim.
Modern Israeli Holidays
- Yom HaShoah — Holocaust Remembrance Day.
- Yom HaZikaron — Memorial Day for fallen soldiers.
- Yom HaAtzmaut — Independence Day.
- Yom Yerushalayim — Jerusalem Day.
Monthly
- Rosh Chodesh — New Moon; first day of each Hebrew month.
Special Readings
- Rosh Hashanah: Genesis 21:1–34 & Genesis 22:1–24
- Yom Kippur: Leviticus 16:1-34 & Leviticus 18:1-30
- Sukkot: Leviticus 22:26-23:44
- Shemini Atzeret: Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17
- Simchat Torah: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12
- Chanukah: Numbers 7:1-8:4
- Purim: Exodus 17:8-16
- Passover: (special readings)
- Shavuot: Exodus 19:1-20:23 & Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17
- Shekalim: Exodus 30:11-16
- Zachor: Deuteronomy 25:17-19
- Parah: Numbers 19:1-22
- Hachodesh: Exodus 12:1-20
- Rosh Chodesh: (special readings)
- Fast Days: (special readings)