Jewish Holidays

A list of popular Jewish holidays are listed below.

1) Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is celebrated as the Jewish New Year. It is the one of the holiest day of the year for Jewish. It literally means “head of the year” or "first of the year". It is the very famous festival of Jewish. There are very much similarity between American midnight drinking bash and day time football game festival and Rosh Hashanah. More details.

2) Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is also known as "A day of atonement". It is the holiest day of the year for Jews. It is celebrated for reparation and reconciliation. As, it is a very sacred festival so all adults participate in a prayer and do complete fasting. All types of food and drinks are avoided on this day. Bathing, wearing of perfumes, wearing of leather shoes, and sexual relations are also prohibited. More details.

3) Purim

Purim is a Jewish festival, celebrated every year on 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar (Late winter/ early spring). It is celebrated in the memory of the salvation of Jewish people in ancient Persia. According to the book of Esther, Haman had planned to kill all Jews in the empire of Persia. It is celebrated by Jews with great enthusiasm. People donate charity, have a celebratory meal, organize public recitation etc. to celebrate this festival. More details.

4) Passover

Passover is a very famous Jewish festival. It is celebrated in the memory of their liberation by God from the slavery in Egypt. Jews remember on this day that how the children of Israel left slavery behind them when they were led out of Egypt. Passover celebration starts on the 15th day of Jewish month Nissan. It is celebrated 7 days (8 days outside Israel).

5) Second Passover

The Second Passover is also known as Pesach Sheni. It is celebrated every year on 14 Iyar. It occurs one month after 14 Nisan the day before Passover when the Paschal lamb was selected for the holiday. It provides a second chance to those who were unable to participate in the Passover earlier. People generally eat Matzah to celebrate this day.

6) The Three Weeks

The three weeks period is a Jewish cultural festival. It occurrs in summer and begins with a fast. It is a mourning period and occurred in summer every year. People used to mourn in the memory of the destruction of the holy temple. It is a three week festival.

7) Sukkot

Sukkot is a Hebrew word meaning "booths" or "nuts". This festival is celebrated to give thanks for the fall harvest. It is also known as "season of rejoicing". This festival is celebrated seven days in Israel and eight days outside. It is a festival of eating, entertaining, and even sleeping.

8) Chanukah

Chanukah also known as Hanukkah is famous Jewish festival. It is the festival of lights. Jews celebrate Chanukah continuously 8 days. It begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. It is one of the best Jewish holidays, which don’t have any religious significance but due to its proximity to Christmas, it is considered as Jewish Christmas. It is celebrated in November or December.

9) Fast of Tevet 10

Fast of the Tevet 10 is an important Jewish festival. It is celebrated on the 10th day of Jewish month Tevet. It is one of the minor fasts before dawn to night fall. This celebration is caused a chain reaction that led to the eventual destruction of the temple.

10) Shavuot

Shavuot is one of the three very religious festival of Jewish. It is celebrated one day in Israel and two days outside Israel. Generally the Jews eat dairy fruits on Shavout. It is celebrated when Jewish people harvested their wheat crops and begin harvesting their fruit crops.

11) Lag B'omer

Lag B'omer is a famous Jewish festival. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm. On this day, people go for outing, organize a bonefire and participate in different types of joyful activities. Children traditionally play with bows and arrows.