Judaism has a rich tradition of festivals and holidays that are celebrated throughout the year, each with its own significance, rituals, and customs. These festivals are tied to historical events, agricultural cycles, and spiritual themes, providing a framework for Jewish life and community. Below is a list of the major Jewish festivals and their meanings.
- Shabbat (Sabbath)
When: Every week, from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
Meaning: Shabbat is the weekly day of rest, commemorating HaShem’s creation of the world and the rest He took on the seventh day. It is a time for spiritual rejuvenation, family bonding, and abstaining from work. It is the most frequent and important Jewish observance, marked by lighting candles, enjoying festive meals, and attending synagogue.
- Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
When: 1st and 2nd of Tishrei (September or October)
Meaning: Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and the start of the Ten Days of Repentance. It is a time for reflection, self-examination, and seeking forgiveness for past wrongdoings. The shofar (ram’s horn) is blown as a call to repentance, and sweet foods such as apples dipped in honey symbolise the hope for a sweet and prosperous year.
- Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
When: 10th of Tishrei (September or October)
Meaning: Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, dedicated to fasting, prayer, and atonement. It concludes the Ten Days of Repentance and provides an opportunity for individuals to seek forgiveness for their sins and reconcile with HaShem. The day is spent in synagogue, reciting special prayers like the Kol Nidre and Ne’ilah, and ending with the blowing of the shofar.
- Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
When: 15th to 21st of Tishrei (September or October)
Meaning: Sukkot commemorates the Israelites’ journey through the desert after their exodus from Egypt, during which they lived in temporary shelters (sukkahs). Jews build sukkahs (temporary booths) and dwell in them during the festival. Sukkot also celebrates the harvest, particularly the gathering of fruits. The lulav (palm branch), etrog (citron), hadass (myrtle), and aravah (willow) are waved during prayers as part of the festival rituals.
- Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day of Assembly) and Simchat Torah
When: 22nd and 23rd of Tishrei (September or October)
Meaning: Shemini Atzeret is a festive day that follows Sukkot and serves as a concluding holiday for the Sukkot pilgrimage. Simchat Torah, which immediately follows, celebrates the conclusion and restarting of the annual cycle of Torah readings. During Simchat Torah, Jewish communities rejoice with dancing and singing while holding Torah scrolls, reflecting the joy of Torah study.
- Hanukkah (Festival of Lights)
When: 25th of Kislev to 2nd of Tevet (November or December)
Meaning: Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days when there was only enough oil for one day. It is marked by lighting the hannukiah, a special nine-branched candelabrum, each night of the festival. Other customs include playing the dreidel game, eating foods fried in oil (like latkes), and giving gifts.
- Tu BiShvat (New Year for Trees)
When: 15th of Shevat (January or February)
Meaning: Tu BiShvat is the Jewish “New Year for Trees,” marking the beginning of the agricultural cycle in Israel. Traditionally, it is a time to celebrate nature, plant trees, and eat fruits, especially the “Seven Species” (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates). It is also seen as a time for environmental awareness.
- Purim
When: 14th of Adar (February or March)
Meaning: Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from the evil plot of Haman, as recorded in the Book of Esther. It is a joyous holiday marked by the reading of the Megillah (Book of Esther), feasting, giving gifts to the poor, and wearing costumes. The festive atmosphere reflects the victory of good over evil.
- Pesach (Passover)
When: 15th to 22nd of Nissan (March or April)
Meaning: Pesach commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The central ritual is the seder, a special meal where the story of the Exodus is recounted using symbolic foods like matzah (unleavened bread), maror (bitter herbs), and charoset (a sweet paste representing mortar). It is a time to reflect on freedom, deliverance, and the importance of passing down history.
- Lag B’Omer
When: 18th of Iyar (April or May)
Meaning: Lag B’Omer is a festive day that falls between the mourning periods of Passover and Shavuot. It celebrates the end of a plague that struck Rabbi Akiva’s students and honors the legacy of Jewish sages. Traditionally, it is marked by bonfires, outdoor activities, and festive meals.
- Shavuot (Feast of Weeks)
When: 6th of Sivan (May or June)
Meaning: Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, marking the culmination of the Exodus journey. It is a festival of gratitude for the Torah and the harvest. Jews traditionally stay up all night studying Torah (Tikkun Leil Shavuot), and the holiday is associated with the consumption of dairy products, such as cheesecake.
- Tisha B’Av (Ninth of Av)
When: 9th of Av (July or August)
Meaning: Tisha B’Av is a day of mourning for the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. It is a fast day, observed with the reading of the Book of Lamentations (Eichah) and the remembrance of various tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history. The mood of the day is somber, with a focus on reflection, repentance, and communal mourning.
- Rosh Chodesh (New Month)
When: The first day of every Hebrew month (12 times a year)
Meaning: Rosh Chodesh marks the beginning of each new Hebrew month. While not a major festival, it is a day of celebration, particularly for women. Some Jewish communities celebrate it with special prayers, festive meals, and gatherings. Rosh Chodesh is a time to acknowledge the cyclical nature of time and the renewal of spiritual energy.
- Fast of Gedaliah
When: 3rd of Tishrei (September or October)
Meaning: The Fast of Gedaliah commemorates the assassination of Gedaliah ben Ahikam, the governor appointed by the Babylonians over the remaining Jewish community in Judea after the destruction of the First Temple. This fast marks a period of mourning for the destruction of Jerusalem.
- Fast of the 10th of Tevet
When: 10th of Tevet (December or January)
Meaning: This fast day commemorates the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, which eventually led to the destruction of the First Temple. It is a solemn day of fasting and reflection.
- Fast of Esther
When: 13th of Adar (February or March)
Meaning: The Fast of Esther commemorates the fast that the Jewish people undertook before Esther approached King Ahasuerus to save them from Haman’s plot. It is observed by fasting until the evening, and it precedes Purim.
- The Fast of the Firstborn
When: 14th of Nissan (March or April)
Meaning: This fast is observed by firstborn Jewish males to commemorate the salvation of the Israelites during the tenth plague in Egypt, when the firstborn sons of the Egyptians died while the Israelites were spared. It is customarily observed on the day before Passover.
These festivals form the heart of the Jewish calendar, shaping the rhythms of Jewish life, spirituality, and community. Each festival offers opportunities for reflection, celebration, and connection to Jewish heritage and values.