List of observances set by the Hebrew calendar explained

See main article: Hebrew calendar and Jewish holidays.

All observances begin at sunset the day prior to the Gregorian date listed unless otherwise noted, and end on nightfall of the date in question, which is defined as the appearance of three stars in the sky. On leap years (which occur every 2–3 years) an extra month, Adar II, is added and certain holidays move accordingly, and it is mentioned in the notes section. All fasts other than Yom Kippur and Tisha b'Av begin at dawn of the day listed.

Holidays for the Jewish calendar year of 5781 (2020–2021)

Yom tov for the Three Pilgrimage Festivals (Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot) is observed for 1 day in Israel and in Reform and most Reconstructionist communities around the world, and is observed for 2 days in Orthodox and most Conservative communities outside Israel, because of yom tov sheni shel galuyot. In the table, these are referred to as 1-day and 2-day communities.

width=20%Date on Hebrew calendarwidth=20%Gregorian datewidth=25%Hebrew Namewidth=45%Notes
1-2 TishreiSeptember 19–20, 2020Rosh HashanahPublic holiday in Israel
1-10 TishreiSeptember 19–28, 2020Ten Days of Repentance
3 TishreiSeptember 21, 2020Public holiday in Israel, changes to Tishrei 4 when Tishrei 3 is Shabbat. Starts at dawn.
MovableSeptember 26, 2020Shabbat Shuvah (Sabbath of Return, or Sabbath of Repentance)Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
9 TishreiSeptember 27, 2020Erev Yom KippurYom Kippur Eve
10 TishreiSeptember 28, 2020Yom KippurPublic holiday in Israel. Unlike other fasting days, this does not move to avoid interfering with Shabbat.
14 TishreiOctober 2, 2020Erev SukkotSukkot Eve
MovableOctober 3, 2020Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot
15-21 TishreiOctober 3–9, 2020SukkotOne of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals, public holiday in Israel
16-21 Tishrei (1-day communities) / 17-21 Tishrei (2-day communities)October 4–9, 2020/ October 5–9, 2020Chol HaMoed SukkotPublic holiday in Israel. Seharane is celebrated by Kurdish Jews during this time, but only in the State of Israel. Outside of Israel Seharane is celebrated after Passover.
21 TishreiOctober 9, 2020Hoshanah Rabbah
22 Tishrei October 10, 2020Public holiday in Israel. Includes Simchat Torah in 1-day communities.
23 TishreiOctober 11, 20202-day communities only
MovableOctober 16, 2020Shabbat preceding and beginning a week containing a Rosh Chodesh
1 CheshvanOctober 19, 2020Rosh Chodesh of Cheshvan
Movable October 20, 2020BahabFirst Monday of Cheshvan, starts at dawn (optional)
MovableOctober 22, 2020BahabFirst Thursday of Cheshvan after the first Monday, starts at dawn.(optional)
MovableOctober 26, 2020BahabMonday following first Thursday of Cheshvan, starts at dawn. (optional)
7 CheshvanOctober 27, 2020V'tein Tal u-Matar ("Deliver Dew and Rain")This is a prayer added to the Shemoneh Esrei prayers in Israel. If no rain has fallen by the 17th of Cheshvan, special prayers are added for rain [1]
7 CheshvanOctober 27, 2020Yom HaAliyahObserved in Israeli schools on 7 Cheshvan with 10 Nisan being the public holiday in Israel.
12 CheshvanOctober 30, 2020Rabin DayPublic holiday in Israel
Movable November 13, 2020Shabbat preceding and beginning a week containing a Rosh Chodesh
29 CheshvanNovember 16, 2020SigdPublic holiday in Israel
1 KislevNovember 17, 2020In years when Cheshvan has 30 days, this also includes 30 Cheshvan.
1 KislevNovember 17, 2020Non Rosh Chodesh related observance, Chabad sect only
6 KislevNovember 22, 2020Ben-Gurion DayPublic holiday in Israel
9 KislevNovember 25, 2020Chabad sect only
10 KislevNovember 26, 2020Chabad sect only
19 KislevDecember 5, 202019 KislevChabad sect only
23 KislevDecember 9, 2020Teacher's Day in Israel
MovableDecember 11, 2020Shabbat MevorchimShabbat preceding and beginning a week containing a Rosh Chodesh
25 Kislev— 2 TevetDecember 11–17, 2020HanukkahPublic holiday in Israel. Ends 3 Tevet if Kislev is short.
1 TevetDecember 16, 2020Rosh Chodesh of Tevet
5 Tevet5 TevetChabad sect only
10 TevetDecember 25, 2020Tenth of TevetPublic holiday in Israel. Starts at dawn.
MovableJanuary 9, 2021Shabbat MevorchimShabbat preceding and beginning a week containing a Rosh Chodesh
29 TevetJanuary 13, 2021Optional. If Yom Kippur Katan falls on a Friday or Saturday, it is moved to the preceding Thursday to avoid interfering with Shabbat.Starts at dawn. Starts at dawn.
January 14, 2021Rosh Chodesh of Shevat
10 ShevatJanuary 23, 202110 ShevatChabad sect only
MovableJanuary 23, 2021Shabbat ShirahShabbat that falls on or before Tu BiShvat
15 ShevatJanuary 28, 2021Tu BiShvatPublic holiday in Israel
22 ShevatFebruary 4, 2021Chabad sect only
MovableFebruary 13, 2021Shabbat ShekalimShabbat on or before Rosh Chodesh Adar (or Adar II in leap years)
29 ShevatFebruary 11, 2021Yom Kippur KatanOptional. If Yom Kippur Katan falls on a Friday or Saturday, it is moved to the preceding Thursday to avoid interfering with Shabbat. Starts at dawn.
February 12, 2021Rosh Chodesh of Adar
7 Adar February 19, 2021Seventh of AdarStarts at dawn. On Adar II on leap years, Adar I on non-leap years
MovableFebruary 20, 2021Shabbat immediately preceding Purim. On leap years, this falls on the 1st of Adar II, or on the 1st of Adar II itself if it is Shabbat. Adar I on non-leap years.
13 AdarFebruary 25, 2021Public holiday in Israel. Starts at dawn. Can be moved to avoid conflict with the Sabbath. On Adar II on leap years, Adar I on non-leap years.
14 Adar Not celebratedPurim KatanMinor Purim celebration on Adar I during leap years. Purim itself is celebrated in Adar II.
14 AdarFebruary 26, 2021PurimPublic holiday in Israel On Adar II on leap years, Adar I on non-leap years.
15 Adar February 27, 2021Shushan PurimOn Adar II on leap years, Adar I on non-leap years.
MovableMarch 6, 2021Shabbat ParahShabbat preceding Shabbat HaChodesh
29 Adar March 11, 2021Yom Kippur KatanOptional. If Yom Kippur Katan falls on a Friday or Saturday, it is moved to the preceding Thursday to avoid interfering with Shabbat. Starts at dawn.
MovableMarch 13, 2021Shabbat on or immediately preceding Rosh Chodesh of Nisan
1 NisanMarch 14, 2021Rosh Chodesh of NisanThis is also the New Year for the reigns of Jewish kings (in line with the national emphasis of the season), the renting of houses, and the counting involved in the prohibition against delaying the fulfillment of vows.[2]
10 NisanMarch 23, 2021Yom HaAliyahPublic holiday in Israel
11 NisanMarch 24, 202111 Nisan(Chabad sect only)
11 NisanMarch 24, 2021United States
14 Nisan March 25, 2021Fast of the Firstbornon 12 Nisan when the 14th falls on Sabbath
MovableMarch 27, 2021Shabbat immediately preceding Passover
15-21 Nisan (1-day communities) / 15-22 Nisan (2-day communities)March 28-April 3, 2021/ March 28-April 4, 2021PassoverPublic holiday in Israel. One of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals.
16-20 Nisan (1-day communities) / 17-20 Nisan (2-day communities)March 29-April 2, 2021 / March 31-April 2, 2021Public holiday in Israel.
MovableApril 3, 2021Shabbat Chol Hamoed Pesach
21 NisanApril 3, 2021Shvi'i shel PesachPublic holiday in Israel.
MovableApril 3–12, 2021United States, Sunday before Yom Hashoah to following Sunday
22 Nisan (1-day communities) / 23 Nisan (2-day communities)April 4, 2021 / April 5, 2021MimounaPublic holiday in Israel
16 Nisan - 5 SivanSunset, 28 March – nightfall, 16 May 2021Counting the Omer
23 Nisan April 5, 2021Seharane Seharane is celebrated by Kurdish Jews outside of Israel on this date. In the state of Israel, it is celebrated on Chol HaMoed Sukkot. (see entry for that holiday)
23 Nisan (22 Nisan within Israel)April 5, 2021 (April 4, 2021)Iranian Jews, end of Passover holiday.
27 Nisansunset, April 8 – nightfall, April 9, 2021Yom HaShoahPublic holiday in Israel. Moved to 26 or 28 Nisan when the 27th falls on Friday or Sunday respectively, interfering with Shabbat.
MovableApril 10, 2021Shabbat preceding and beginning a week containing a Rosh Chodesh
1 IyarApril 13, 2021Rosh Chodesh of Iyar
2 IyarApril 14, 20212 IyarChabad sect only.
First Thursday of Iyar April 15, 2021(optional)
4 IyarSunset, 16 April – nightfall, 17 April 2021Public holiday in Israel. Might be moved to avoid conflict with Independence Day (Israel) or Shabbat.
5 IyarApril 17, 2021Day to PraiseSame day as Independence Day (Israel), see next entry.
5 IyarApril 17, 2021Independence Day (Israel)Public holiday in Israel. Might be moved to avoid conflict with Yom Hazikaron or Shabbat.
First Monday of Iyar April 19, 2021Bahab(optional)
Monday following first Thursday of IyarApril 19, 2021(optional)
10 IyarApril 22, 2021Herzl DayPublic holiday in Israel.
14 IyarSunset, 25 April – nightfall, 26 April 2021Pesach Sheni
18 IyarSunset, 29 April – nightfall, 30 April 2021Lag Ba'omerPublic holiday in Israel.
28 IyarMay 10, 2021Fast of SamuelFast is optional and is generally only observed by Chevra kadisha. Starts at dawn.
28 IyarMay 10, 2021Jerusalem DayPublic holiday in Israel.
29 IyarMay 11, 2021Optional. If Yom Kippur Katan falls on a Friday or Saturday, it is moved to the preceding Thursday to avoid interfering with Shabbat. Starts at dawn.
1 SivanMay 12, 2021Rosh Chodesh of Sivan
6 Sivan (1-day communities) / 6-7 Sivan (2-day communities)May 17, 2021/ May 17–18, 2021ShavuotOne of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals. Public holiday in Israel.
20 SivanMay 31, 2021Fast of the Khmelnytsky massacresNot widely observed
29 Sivan June 9, 2021Optional. If Yom Kippur Katan falls on a Friday or Saturday, it is moved to the preceding Thursday to avoid interfering with Shabbat. Starts at dawn.
1 TammuzJune 11, 2021Rosh Chodesh of Tammuz
3 TammuzJune 13, 20213 TammuzChabad sect only
12-13 TammuzJune 22–23, 202112-13 TammuzChabad sect only
17 TammuzJune 27, 2021Can be moved to avoid interfering with Shabbat. Public holiday in Israel.
17 Tammuz - 9 AvJune 27-July 18, 2021The Three Weeks
29 TammuzJuly 9, 2021Public holiday in Israel.
29 TammuzJuly 9, 2021Yom Kippur KatanOptional. If Yom Kippur Katan falls on a Friday or Saturday, it is moved to the preceding Thursday to avoid interfering with Shabbat. Starts at dawn.
1 AvJuly 10, 2021Rosh Chodesh of Av
1 Av - 9 Av July 10-July 18, 2021The Nine Days
MovableJuly 17, 2021Shabbat ChazonShabbat immediately prior to Tisha B'Av
9 AvJuly 18, 2021Tisha B'AvPublic holiday in Israel
15 AvSunset, 23 July – nightfall, 24 July 2021Tu B'AvPublic holiday in Israel.
MovableJuly 24, 2021Shabat NachamuShabbat immediately following Tisha B'av
30 AvAugust 8, 2021 Optional. If Yom Kippur Katan falls on a Friday or Saturday, it is moved to the preceding Thursday to avoid interfering with Shabbat. Starts at dawn.
1 ElulAugust 9, 2021 Rosh Hashanah LeMa'sar Behemah and Rosh Chodesh of Elul
15 ElulAugust 23, 202115 ElulChabad sect only
18 ElulAugust 26, 2021Chai ElulChabad sect only
Movable August 28, 2021Leil Selichot prayers begin under Ashkenazic tradition These prayers begin on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah. If, however, the first day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Monday or Tuesday, the prayers are begun the Saturday night prior to ensure that Selichot are recited at least four times.
29 ElulSeptember 6, 2021

Non-annual observances

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.ou.org/chagim/roshchodesh/marcheshvan/default.htm Orthodox Union
  2. Web site: How Many Jewish New Years?.
  3. Web site: What Is Shemittah . www.chabad.org.
  4. Web site: Purim Meshulash . shulchanaruchharav.com.
  5. Web site: Purim Katan - Minor Purim celebration during Adar I on leap years - פורים קטן | Hebcal Jewish Calendar.