Think & Reflect:
Next month, Tishri, is the 7th month of the Hebrew calendar and also the Jewish new year. The first month is actually Nisan, which is during Passover. We remember the Exodus and the moment we became a people. How did we end up with such a crazy system? Actually, the Torah says that you will celebrate the new year in the 7th month so that explains it – sorta!! The Jewish months are based on the moon – a lunar month is 28-31 days long. This makes the lunar year 11 days shorter than the solar year. The Gregorian calendar gives us a leap year every 4 years and we add a day. The Hebrew calendar needs to reflect seasons and holidays at the right time so we have a system of adding a month – 7 times in 19 years! Rabbi Hillel gets credit for this system and as confusing as it seems, it keeps us somewhat on target. Our yearly question about whether the holidays are early or late keep us ready for the changes. Last year, we had two month of Adar and so now the holidays are late!
What else do we need to know the Hebrew dates for?? Each of us have a Hebrew birthday so we can celebrate twice each year. Actually it matters for Bar Mitzvah because a boy must be 13 years and 1 day for his Bar Mitzvah. Most Jews also have the Hebrew date on their wedding ketubah and you remember the death of someone based on the Hebrew date.
Questions to Ponder
The months originally were from the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE. Until then the months were called by their numerical position – first month, second month, etc. The days of the week in Hebrew are still “day one”, “day 2”, etc. except for Shabbat. Do you think that is a better idea than Monday, Tuesday, etc.? Discover where those names came from!! And while you are at it, find out why we start every Jewish day (and holiday) the night before. (Hint: it is in the Book of Genesis)
Do & Share
There are Jewish holidays and festivals throughout the Jewish year, except for the month of Heshvan. Get a Jewish calendar (or just make a list) of each month and what the holiday is – some will be harder to find than others as only 6 holidays are in the Torah and the rest are historical.
A Challenge for a Week (or longer)
Find out your Hebrew birthday (there are many calendar date converters but look at Chabad.org) and then plan a new tradition celebrating your Hebrew birthday. You can also look up other events to add to your celebrations.
Laura Seymour | Camp Director Emeritus | Jewish Experiential Learning Director
Lseymour@jccdallas.org
