Jewish Holidays and Fast Days

The Jewish New Year — a time of reflection, prayer, and the sounding of the shofar. Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the High Holy Days and the Ten Days of Repentance.

A minor fast commemorating the assassination of Gedaliah ben Achikam, the last Jewish governor of Judea after the destruction of the First Temple — an event that ended the last remnant of Jewish self-rule in the Land of Israel.

Observance: Minor fast — from dawn (alot hashachar) until nightfall (tzeit hakochavim). Only eating and drinking are prohibited; other Shabbat/Yom Kippur restrictions do not apply.

The Day of Atonement — the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. A day of prayer, repentance, confession, and spiritual cleansing before God.

Observance: Major fast — begins before sunset the evening before and ends at nightfall the next day (about 25 hours). Five prohibitions: eating and drinking, washing, anointing, wearing leather shoes, and marital relations.

The Festival of Booths — commemorating the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. We build and dwell in the sukkah and wave the Four Species.

The eighth day of assembly and the celebration of completing and restarting the annual Torah reading cycle. Dancing with the Torah scrolls, hakafot, and joyous song.

The Festival of Lights — celebrating the Maccabees' victory and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Holy Temple.

A minor fast marking the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, which ultimately led to the destruction of the First Temple.

Observance: Minor fast — from dawn until nightfall. Only eating and drinking are prohibited. The only minor fast that can fall on a Friday and is still observed to completion.

The New Year of the Trees — celebrating the renewal of nature in the Land of Israel with fruits, trees, and ecological awareness.

A minor fast commemorating the three-day fast called by Queen Esther before she approached King Achashverosh to plead for the Jewish people, as recorded in the Book of Esther.

Observance: Minor fast — from dawn until nightfall (which then transitions directly into Purim night and the Megillah reading). If 13 Adar falls on Shabbat, the fast is moved earlier to Thursday, 11 Adar.

The Festival of Joy — celebrating the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia through Queen Esther and Mordechai.

The Festival of Freedom — commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. The seder night retells the story of liberation with matzah, wine, and the Haggadah.

Israel's Memorial Day — honoring the fallen soldiers of the IDF and victims of terror. A solemn day of national remembrance marked by sirens, Yizkor, and El Maleh Rachamim.

Israel Independence Day — celebrating the establishment of the modern State of Israel on 5 Iyar 5708 (1948). A day of Hallel, thanksgiving, and national rejoicing.

The 33rd day of the Omer — commemorating the end of a plague among Rabbi Akiva's students and the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Celebrated with bonfires, weddings, and haircuts.

The Festival of Weeks — celebrating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. A night of Torah study, dairy foods, and the reading of the Book of Ruth.

A minor fast marking the day the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Romans in 70 CE — the beginning of the Three Weeks of mourning that culminate in Tisha B'Av. Also commemorates Moses breaking the first Tablets and other tragedies.

Observance: Minor fast — from dawn (alot hashachar) until nightfall (tzeit hakochavim). Only eating and drinking are prohibited. Begins the Three Weeks (Bein HaMetzarim) of mourning leading up to Tisha B'Av.

A day of national mourning commemorating the destruction of both Holy Temples in Jerusalem, the expulsion from Spain, and other tragedies in Jewish history.

Observance: Major fast — begins at sunset the evening before and ends at nightfall the next day (about 25 hours). Five prohibitions like Yom Kippur, plus the mourning restrictions: no Torah study (except Eicha, Iyov, and mourning passages), no greetings, and sitting low.

The weekly day of rest — from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall. Shabbat is the foundation of Jewish life, a sanctuary in time.