Jewish Holidays & Calendar Blog

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Everything you need to know about the Jewish New Year — its meaning, customs, foods, prayers, and what the shofar really means.

The holiest day in the Jewish year — fasting, Kol Nidre, the five prohibitions, Neilah, and the profound power of Jewish atonement.

Building a sukkah, waving the four species, welcoming Ushpizin guests, and celebrating this joyful harvest festival under the stars.

Dancing with Torah scrolls, Hakafot circles, the Chatan Torah honor, and the joy of completing and restarting the annual Torah reading cycle.

From the Seder Plate to the four cups of wine, the Haggadah to the hunt for chametz — a full guide to understanding and celebrating Passover.

Tikkun Leil Shavuot, dairy foods, the Book of Ruth, first fruits, and the anniversary of the Torah's giving at Mount Sinai.

Megillat Esther, costumes, mishloach manot, hamantaschen, and the four mitzvot of the most joyful holiday on the Jewish calendar.

The story of the Maccabees, the miracle of the oil, how to light the Hanukkiah, and all the traditions that make this eight-day celebration special.

Candle lighting, Kiddush, the 39 melachot, Havdalah, and the beauty of the weekly Jewish Sabbath that has sustained the Jewish people for 3,000 years.

Bonfires, haircuts, the Meron pilgrimage, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the Zohar, and the joyful break in the Omer mourning period.

The destruction of both Temples, the Nine Days, Kinot, the Book of Lamentations, and the hope for redemption that underlies this profound fast day.

The Tu B'Shvat Seder, the seven species of Israel, Kabbalistic traditions, tree planting, and the holiday's rich ecological meaning.

The ancient dancing maidens, six historical miracles, the counterpoint to Tisha B'Av, and how this holiday became the Jewish Valentine's Day.

The history of the observance, Israel's two-minute siren, Yad Vashem, survivor testimony, and the imperative of never forgetting the six million.

The two sirens, Mount Herzl ceremonies, over 25,000 fallen soldiers, terror victims, and the poignant transition to Yom HaAtzmaut.

The Declaration of Independence, David Ben-Gurion, Hallel prayers, fireworks, barbecues, and the miracle of Jewish statehood after 2,000 years of exile.

The Six-Day War, the Western Wall, the paratroopers' radio call, Hallel prayers, and the eternal Jewish connection to the holy city of Jerusalem.

The lunar calendar, Kiddush Levanah moon sanctification, Rosh Chodesh as a women's holiday, the 12 Hebrew months, and the monthly Jewish renewal cycle.

The daily Omer blessing, Kabbalistic sefirot framework, mourning customs, and the spiritual journey from freedom at Passover to Torah at Shavuot.

Tzom Gedaliah, Asara B'Tevet, the 17th of Tammuz, and Ta'anit Esther — history, observances, and the prophet Zechariah's promise they will become days of joy.