A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem... Last line in last week’s Word of the Month column said that Cheshvan has 30 days 45% of years. To explain: Tishrei, Shvat, Adar Alef, Nissan, Sivan, and Av always have 30 days in our fixed calendar. Tevet, regular Adar (and Adar Bet), Iyar, Tammuz, and Elul always have 29 days. Cheshvan has 29 days in “in order” years and in “deficient” years, and 30 days in “full” years. Kislev has 30 days in “in order” years and “full” years, and 29 days in “deficient” years. Cheshvan Kislev: “in order” years 29/30; “deficient” years 29/29; “full” years 30/30. This is so because first, a year’s Rosh HaShana is fixed and then the next RH is fixed, both based on rules, including the famous LO AD”U ROSH, RH cannot fall on Sunday, Wednesday, or Friday. The “distance” from one RH to the next can be 353, 354, or 355 (or 383, 384, 385) days. The plus/minus a day from 354 (384) is accomplished by varying Cheshvan or Kislev. [The
Parshat Vayeira Homepage]
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