JEWISH HOLIDAYS

 

Jewish holy days begin at sundown on the preceding evening and conclude at sundown on the dates noted.


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  • Pesach – The Feast of Passover 

    Passover commemorates the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt, the beginning of Jewish independence. It may be observed for 7 or 8 days, but labor is traditionally prohibited on only the first two and last two days. The name Pesach refers to God’s “passing over” the homes of the Jews when he sent plagues to convince the Egyptian pharaoh to let them go.

  • Shavuot - The Feast of Harvest 

    This holy day marks the end of the early grain harvest and also commemorates Moses receiving the Torah (first five books of the Bible), with its Ten Commandments, from God on Mount Sinai.

  • Rosh Hashanah - Jewish New Year 

    These holy days begin a 10-day period of repentance and prayer which ends on Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah marks the anniversary of the birthday of the world. It is the day people are judged for their actions during the past year.

  • Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement 

    This is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and it ends the Ten Days of Repentance. It is spent in prayer, meditation and fasting in order to start the new year with a fresh beginning.

  • Sukkot- The Feast of Tabernacles 

    The harvest festival – it is named for huts (sukkot) hung with fruits and vegetables set up to recall the temporary field dwelling which farmers traditionally used during harvest time. It is observed for 7 or 8 days, followed by Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.

  • Shemini Atzeret

    is the conclusion of Sukkot.

  • Simchat Torah

    celebrates the conclusion of the year-long cycle of reading the Torah (first five books of the Bible) and renewing the cycle.

  • Hanukkah - The Festival of Lights 

    An 8-day celebration of the Jews’ victory over the Syrians in ancient times and their regaining political and religious freedom. Hanukkah is called the Festival of Lights because, at the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, the sacred lamp burned for 8 days on 1 day’s supply of oil.