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What’s my Hebrew birthday?

Understanding the Hebrew Calendar and Its Months

The Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar system, meaning it follows both the moon and the sun. Each month begins with the new moon, and adjustments (such as leap years) are made to ensure holidays remain in their appropriate seasons. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which follows a fixed solar cycle, the Hebrew calendar adjusts with a 19-year cycle that includes seven leap years.

The Twelve (or Thirteen) Hebrew Months

Below is a brief overview of each Hebrew month, its significance, and key holidays associated with it:

1. Tishrei (תשרי)

  • Season: Fall
  • Key Holidays: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Sukkot, Simchat Torah
  • Significance: A time of renewal, reflection, and celebration.

2. Cheshvan (חשון)

  • Season: Fall
  • Key Holidays: None (sometimes called Mar-Cheshvan, meaning “bitter Cheshvan” due to the lack of holidays)
  • Significance: A quieter month following the High Holidays.

3. Kislev (כסלו)

  • Season: Winter
  • Key Holidays: Hanukkah
  • Significance: A month of miracles and light.

4. Tevet (טבת)

  • Season: Winter
  • Key Holidays: Tenth of Tevet (a fast day)
  • Significance: A time of reflection and resilience.

5. Shevat (שבט)

  • Season: Winter
  • Key Holidays: Tu Bishvat (New Year for Trees)
  • Significance: A celebration of nature and renewal.

6. Adar (אדר)

  • Season: Winter/Spring
  • Key Holidays: Purim
  • Significance: A month of joy and celebration.

(When there is a leap year, an extra month, Adar I, is added, making Adar II the actual Adar.)

7. Nisan (ניסן)

  • Season: Spring
  • Key Holidays: Passover
  • Significance: The first month in the biblical calendar, marking the Exodus from Egypt.

8. Iyar (אייר)

  • Season: Spring
  • Key Holidays: Lag B’Omer
  • Significance: A transitional month, associated with healing and spiritual growth.

9. Sivan (סיון)

  • Season: Late Spring
  • Key Holidays: Shavuot (Giving of the Torah)
  • Significance: A time of learning and revelation.

10. Tammuz (תמוז)

  • Season: Summer
  • Key Holidays: 17th of Tammuz (Fast day)
  • Significance: Begins the Three Weeks of mourning leading to Tisha B’Av.

11. Av (אב)

  • Season: Summer
  • Key Holidays: Tisha B’Av (Day of Mourning)
  • Significance: A month of destruction and hope, as the 9th of Av marks the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem.

12. Elul (אלול)

  • Season: Summer
  • Key Holidays: A preparation period for the High Holidays.
  • Significance: A month of repentance and self-reflection.

Leap Years and the 13th Month: Adar I

Since the Hebrew calendar is shorter than the solar year, an extra month, Adar I, is added seven times in a 19-year cycle to realign the holidays with the seasons.

Hebrew Calendar Fun Facts

  • The Hebrew day begins at sundown, not midnight.
  • Rosh Hashanah is considered the “birthday of the world.”
  • The names of the Hebrew months originate from the Babylonian exile.
  • Tu Bishvat is sometimes called the “Jewish Arbor Day.”