Pesach Sheni – The Second Passover

Pesach Sheni – The Second Passover

Pesach Sheni is a Jewish holiday that occurs every 14th of Iyar. Iyar is the eighth month of the civil year and the second month of the ecclesiastical year in the Hebrew calendar. Iyar usually falls between April and May on the Gregorian calendar. Pesach Sheni occurs exactly a month after the … Read more

Seventeenth of Tammuz

star of David above the pages of the Torah

The Seventeenth of Tammuz (17th of Tammuz) may be a minor Jewish holiday, but it has a major history behind it. In Hebrew, it is translated as Shivah Asar b’Tammuz. It falls on the 17th day of Tammuz, the tenth month of the civil year and the fourth month of the ecclesiastical … Read more

Tu BiShvat – The New Year of the Trees

Tu BiShvat – The New Year of the Trees

Many countries in the world observe the holiday of planting trees, which is great because it teaches and reminds people of the vital role that trees play in our lives and the environment. In this way, it promotes and celebrates ecological awareness. This type of observance is usually called “Arbor Day,” where … Read more

Tu B’Av — A Celebration of Love

Tu B’Av -- A Celebration of Love

Tu B’Av is a minor Jewish holiday. The term “Tu B’Av” means the “fifteenth of Av.” Av is the eleventh month of the civil year and the fifth month of the ecclesiastical year of the Jewish calendar. Av is approximately equivalent to July-August of the more familiar Gregorian calendar. Tu B’Av occurs … Read more

Tisha B’Av — The Saddest Day in the Jewish Calendar

Tisha B’Av -- The Saddest Day in the Jewish Calendar

Tisha B’Av literally means “the ninth of Av,” as it falls on the 9th day of Av, which is the eleventh month of the civil year and the fifth month of the ecclesiastical year of the Jewish calendar (approximately July or August in the Gregorian calendar). In Judaism, Tisha B’Av is an … Read more

Hanukkah – The Festival of Lights

Hanukkah – The Festival of Lights

Hanukkah is a minor Jewish holiday. It is observed for eight nights and days that begin on the 25th of the month of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar (or around late November to late December in the more familiar Gregorian calendar). Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew. It is thus named as … Read more

The Jolly Festival of Purim

The Jolly Festival of Purim

Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the survival of the Jews who were marked for death by their Persian rulers during the 5th century BCE. As you might have guessed, Purim is a happy and joyous occasion. It is characterized by dressing up in colorful masks and costumes, eating festive meals, … Read more

Introduction to the 39 Melachot on Shabbat

Introduction to the 39 Melachot on Shabbat

The Jewish Shabbat (Sabbath) is a day of rest on the seventh day of the week. It is a day of abstinence from work and of religious observance. On Shabbat, the Jewish people commemorate the day that God rested after the creating the world in six days. Shabbat literally means “he rested.” … Read more

Lag B’Omer – What You Need to Know

Lag B'Omer – What You Need to Know

Apart from the major holidays, Judaism has minor holidays. These minor holidays are observed without any special prayers or any religious requirements or restrictions. They may be observed by certain communities or sectors, and may or may not have various customs associated with them. One of the minor Jewish holidays is Lag … Read more

Rosh Hashanah – The Jewish New Year

Rosh Hashanah – The Jewish New Year

Almost all countries around the world follow the Gregorian calendar, and thus, celebrate the New Year every the first day of January. However, there are many countries that celebrate the Western New Year and then observe their own New Year. It’s because they follow their own traditional and religious calendars that are … Read more