Jewish Calendar For
Year 5761
Shabbat
From Friday Sundown To Saturday Sundown
Every Week of the Year
Shabbat is one of the foundations, if not the
foundation, of Jewish life. Its observance has protected and inspired the Jew
throughout history and has influenced, in some degree or another, all of civilization. It
is based on two fundamental premises:
- G-d created the world in six "days"
and "rested" on the seventh "day."
- G-d intervened in history to take the Jewish People
out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt.
All else of Shabbat law; perhaps, in a
sense, all of Torah law as well, and an understanding of the Jewish soul, follow from the
above premises.
Pearl
& Harold M. Jacobs Learning Center for the Weekly Day of Rest
Work Restrictions: Thirty-nine Biblical categories of "melachah" very loosely defined as
"work," and Rabbinical extensions
Rosh HaShanah 5761
1-2 Tishrei (September 30- October 1, 2000)
The Jewish New Year Day
of Judgment for the entire world. Extended, special synagogue services and blowing of the
ram's horn - Shofar. Start of Ten Days of Repentance.
Work Restrictions: Sabbath-like
restrictions on work both days in both Israel and the diaspora.
Tzom Gedaliah
3 Tishrei (October 2, 2000)
Fast Day Lamenting The Expulsion From
Israel; Fast begins at first morning light. Commemorates the assassination of Gedalya Ben
Achikam, and the true start of Babylonian exile of the Jewish people (Early 6th century
B.C.E.)
Work Restrictions: No
restrictions on work.
Yom Kippur
10 Tishrei (October 9, 2000)
The Day of Atonement - Fast day, beginning prior to sunset on the previous
day (October 8, 2000). Day-long synagogue services, with many special prayers, including
Kol Nidre, N'eela, and Memorial (Yizkor) services.
Work Restrictions: All
Sabbath-like work restrictions, with no exceptions for cooking etc. as on Sukkot, Shmini
Atzeret, Simchat Torah, Passover and Shavuot, where exceptions are made for food
preparation and carrying. In addition, there are special restrictions against washing,
applying oils, etc. to oneself, marital relations and wearing leather shoes.
Sukkot
15-21 Tishrei
(October 14-19, 2000)
The Tabernacles - Commemorates the
Jewish people's wanderings in the desert. All meals must be eaten in special temporary hut
- the "Sukkah" Rituals with four species of plants - Lulav and Etrog - culminating with special services on the
seventh day - Hoshana Rabbah.
Work Restrictions:
Israel: Sabbath-like restrictions on the first day.
Non-essential work activities or crafts prohibited during other days.
Diaspora: Sabbath like restrictions on the first 2 days. Non-essential work activities or crafts
prohibited during other days.
Hosha'anah Rabah
21 Tishrei (October 20, 2000)
The seventh and last day of Sukkot -
culminates the observation of the Days of Awe as
the day of the final sealing of judgment, which began on Rosh Hashanah. Additional prayers
and quests for repentance as on Yom Kippur are said in syngogue.
Work Restrictions: Non-essential
work activities or crafts prohibited.
Shmini Atzeret
22 Tishrei (October 21, 2000)
The Eighth Day of Assembly - culminates the
celebration of renewal and thanksgiving and invokes our anticipation of the Messianic Age.
Memorial (Yizkor) services are said in syngogue.
Work Restrictions: Sabbath-like restrictions.
Simchat Torah
Israel: 22 Tishrei (October
21, 2000)
Diaspora: 23 Tishrei (October
22, 2000)
Rejoicing of The Torah - Special
celebration of closing of the High Holidays season. Cycle of Biblical readings in
synagogue completed and begun again in joyous celebration and festivity. Combined with
Shmini Atzeret in Israel into one day, celebrated as second of two consecutive days in the
Diaspora.
Work Restrictions: Sabbath-like
restrictions.
Chanukah
25 Kislev - 2 Tevet
(December 22-29, 2000)
The Holiday Of Lights - Celebration of the rededication of the Second Temple
in Jerusalem to holy service by the Maccabees after their successful struggle for
independence and religious freedom against the Syrians (2nd century B.C.E.). Commemorated
by lighting candles during each night.
Work Restrictions: Tradition
limits work only during the time that the Chanukah candles are lit.
Rosh Chodesh Tevet
(December 27, 2000)
A Month of Anguish - On the
10th - Asara BeTevet - Fast begins at first morning light. Commemorates the beginning of
the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (7th century B.C.E.).
Work Restrictions: No
restrictions on work.
Asarah B'Tevet
(January 5, 2001)
Fast day that begins at first morning
light and ends at dusk. Commemorates the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem
(Early 6th century B.C.E.). In the modern State of Israel, Kaddish (the Jewish prayer for the deceased) is
recited on this day for people whose date or place of death is unknown. Consequently, many
rabbis have designated it as a day of remembrance for the Holocaust.
Work Restrictions: No
restrictions on work.
Tu B'Shevat
15 Shevat (February 8, 2001)
Jewish Arbor Day. Celebration
of new fruits and the land of Israel. No eulogies or daily prayers of mourning said. Some
add special services.
Work Restrictions: No
restrictions on work.
Fast of Esther
13 Adar (March 8, 2001)
Fast begins at first morning light.
Commemorates the fast of Queen Esther in order to save the Jewish people of ancient Persia
(Late 6th century B.C.E.), and the subsequent victory of the Jewish people over their
enemies.
Work Restrictions: No
restrictions on work.
Purim
14 Adar (March 9, 2001)
Commemorates the rescue of the Jewish
people in ancient Persia (Late 6th century B.C.E.). Celebrated with feasts, special
prayers, the reading of the Book of Esther, the sending of gifts from friend to friend,
and extra charity.
Work Restrictions: Limited
restrictions on work.
Shushan Purim
15 Adar (March 10, 2001)
Purim in cities surrounded by
walls from the days of Joshua such as Jerusalem - see
inside for details.
Work Restrictions: Limited
restrictions on work.
Rosh Chodesh Nisan
March 25, 2001
The first commandment given by G-d to the
Jewish People was to establish the beginning of the Month of Nisan (which wasn't yet
called "Nisan," but, rather, the First Month). Until now, the Calendar was, so
to speak, in G-d's hands. From this point on, the Hebrew Calendar was placed in the hands
of the Jewish People.
Chodesh Nisan, The Month
of Nisan
(March 25, 2001 - April 23, 2001)
"Hashem said
to Moshe and Aharon in the Land of Egypt, 'This month shall be for you the beginning of
the months; it shall be for you the first of the months of the year.' " (Shemot,
12:1-2)
Nisan is the Month of
Redemption, because it is the month in which the Exodus took place around 3,300 B.C.E., at
which time the Jewish People were redeemed from Slavery in Egypt. This event, in which the
Bible records (Shemot, Chapters 1-15) G-d's intervention in human history in behalf of the
oppressed Children of Israel, constituted the physical birth of the Jewish Nation.
Passover
15-21 Nisan (15-22 in Diaspora)
Israel: April 8-14, 2001
Diaspora: April 8-15, 2001
Commemorates the Exodus of the Jewish
people from ancient Egypt. Special dietary restrictions beginning the morning of the
previous day. No foods containing fermented grain products - Chametz -
may be consumed or found in any Jewish household. Special family meal - the
"Seder" - conducted during the first evening in Israel and the first 2 evenings
in the Diaspora. Memorial (Yizkor) services are said on 7th day in Israel, 8th day in the
Diaspora.
Work
Restrictions:
Israel: Sabbath like restrictions on the first and
last days (15 & 21 Nissan). Non-essential work activities or crafts prohibited during
other days.
Diaspora: Sabbath like restrictions on the first 2 and last 2 days (15&16 & 21&22 Nissan). Non-essential
work activities or crafts prohibited during other days.
Yom HaShoah
26 Nissan (April 19, 2001)
Holocaust Memorial Day - Special
memorial prayers are said.
Work Restrictions: No
restrictions on work.
Yom Hazikaron Lechalalei Ma'arachot
Yisrael
2 Iyar (April 25, 2001)
Israel Defense Forces Memorial Day -
Special memorial prayers are said.
Work Restrictions: No
restrictions on work.
Yom HaAtzmaut
3 Iyar (April 26, 2001)
Israel Independence Day. Many add
special thanksgiving prayers and celebratory feast.
Work Restrictions: No
restrictions on work.
Lag
BaOmer
18 Iyar (May 11, 2001)
Break in the mourning period for the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva (2nd century). Only
day in 49-day period when weddings permitted.
No special services.
Work Restrictions: No
restrictions on work.
Yom Yerushalayim
28 Iyar (May 21, 2001)
Jerusalem Reunification Day. Many add
special thanksgiving prayers and celebratory feast.
Work Restrictions: No
restrictions on work.
Rosh Chodesh Sivan
1 Sivan
(May 23, 2001)
"In the third month after the Exodus of
the Jewish People from Egypt, on that very day, they came to the Desert of Sinai"
(Shemot 19:1)
Jewish Tradition says that "that
very day" refers to Rosh
Chodesh Sivan. This Rosh Chodesh always consists of just one day because Iyar, the
preceding month, is always categorized, calendar-wise, as "missing;" that is, it
consists of just twenty-nine days. Sivan itself, however, is always "full;" that
is, it always consists of the full complement of thirty days.
Chodesh Sivan
1 Sivan - 30 Sivan
(May 23, 2001 - June 21, 2001)
This month has the great privilege
of being the month in which the People of Israel received the Torah at the foot of Mount
Sinai, perhaps the greatest event in the History of the Jewish People and of World
History, which is commemorated on the Festival of Shavuot, the "Day of the Giving of
the Torah."
Shavuot
6 Sivan - Israel (6 & 7 In Diaspora)
Israel: May 28, 2001
Diaspora: May 28-29, 2001
Moses Recieves The Torah (Pentecost) -
Celebrating G-d's giving of the Torah and Ten Commandments to the Jews at Mt. Sinai.
Memorial (Yizkor) services said (on 2nd day in diaspora).
Work Restrictions: Sabbath-like
work restrictions one day in Israel - two days in diaspora.
Rosh Chodesh Tammuz
30 Sivan - 1 Tammuz (June 21-22, 2001)
Rosh Chodesh Tammuz is always two days,
because the preceding month, Sivan, is always "malei," or "full;" that
is, always contains 30 days. The first day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz is the 30th
day of Sivan, and the second day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz is the first of Tammuz.
Chodesh Tammuz
1 Tammuz - 29 Tammuz
(June 22 - July 20, 2001)
This month is always "chaser," or
"diminished;" that is, it always contains only 29 days. Therefore, the Rosh
Chodesh of the following month, Av, is just one day, the first of Av.
This month, Tammuz, followed by Av,
contain the three week period known as "Bein Ha-Metzarim," "in the
straits" of trouble between the Jewish People and G-d. Many tragedies occurred in
this month, which led to still greater tragedies in the next month. But our hope and
belief is that ultimately, this time will become a time of joy and redemption for the
Jewish People.
Fast of Shiva Asar B'Tammuz
17 Tammuz (July 8, 2001)
Fast Day Lamenting Breach of Jerusalem
Walls - Fast begins at first morning light. Commemorates the breach
of the walls of Jerusalem by the besieging ancient Romans (Ist century C.E.). Start of 3
week period during which weddings and celebrations are forbidden.
Work Restrictions: No
restrictions on work.
Rosh Chodesh Av
1 Av (July 21, 2001)
Rosh Chodesh Av is always just one day, because the
preceding month, Tammuz, is always "chaser," diminished; that is, it only
contains twenty nine days. The month of Av, on the other hand, is always
"malei," full; that is, it always contains thirty days.
Chodesh Av
1 Av - 30 Av (July 21 - August 19, 2001)
"Chodesh Av," the Month of Av, contains the
saddest day in the Hebrew Calendar, the Ninth of Av, a day on which too many tragedies have befallen
our People for it just to be an accident. In Megillat Eichah, the
Prophet Jeremiah's lamentation over the destruction of Jerusalem, its Temple and its
People, this day is called a "Moed" in the sense of a day marked for tragedy.
We pray that, in our time of blossoming
religious life in the Land of Israel and around the world, we are living in the time that
"Tisha B'Av" will become a "Moed," a "joyous festival," in
the classic, joyful sense of the word, and we will shortly see the fulfillment of the
verse "They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Eichah 3:23)
Fast of Tisha B'Av
9 Av (July 29, 2001)
Fast Day Lamenting Destruction of
Temples - Fast begins prior to
sunset and concludes at sunset of next day. Anniversary of the destruction of both the
First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, and other Jewish tragedies. Climax of three week
mourning period and, within those weeks, of a more intense nine-day mourning period.
Special mourning customs and prayers.
Work Restrictions: Limited
restrictions work through mid-day.
Elul
(August 20-September 17, 2001)
The month of repentance and personal
reflection
Important Notes On Observing Jewish Holidays
Jewish Holidays Index
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