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List of observances set by the Hebrew calendar

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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)

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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.

Date on Hebrew calendar Gregorian date Hebrew Name Notes
1-2 Tishrei September 19–20, 2020 Rosh Hashanah Public holiday in Israel
1-10 Tishrei September 19–28, 2020 Ten Days of Repentance
3 Tishrei September 21, 2020 Fast of Gedalia Public holiday in Israel, changes to Tishrei 4 when Tishrei 3 is Shabbat. Starts at dawn.
Movable September 26, 2020 Shabbat Shuvah (Sabbath of Return, or Sabbath of Repentance) Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
9 Tishrei September 27, 2020 Erev Yom Kippur Yom Kippur Eve
10 Tishrei September 28, 2020 Yom Kippur Public holiday in Israel. Unlike other fasting days, this does not move to avoid interfering with Shabbat.
14 Tishrei October 2, 2020 Erev Sukkot Sukkot Eve
Movable October 3, 2020 Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot
15-21 Tishrei October 3–9, 2020 Sukkot One 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, 2020 Chol HaMoed Sukkot Public 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 Tishrei October 9, 2020 Hoshanah Rabbah
22 Tishrei October 10, 2020 Shemini Atzeret Public holiday in Israel. Includes Simchat Torah in 1-day communities.
23 Tishrei October 11, 2020 Simchat Torah 2-day communities only
Movable October 16, 2020 Shabbat Mevorchim Shabbat preceding and beginning a week containing a Rosh Chodesh
1 Cheshvan October 19, 2020 Rosh Chodesh of Cheshvan
Movable October 20, 2020 Bahab First Monday of Cheshvan, starts at dawn (optional)
Movable October 22, 2020 Bahab First Thursday of Cheshvan after the first Monday, starts at dawn.(optional)
Movable October 26, 2020 Bahab Monday following first Thursday of Cheshvan, starts at dawn. (optional)
7 Cheshvan October 27, 2020 V'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 Cheshvan October 27, 2020 Yom HaAliyah Observed in Israeli schools on 7 Cheshvan with 10 Nisan being the public holiday in Israel.
12 Cheshvan October 30, 2020 Rabin Day Public holiday in Israel
Movable November 13, 2020 Shabbat Mevorchim Shabbat preceding and beginning a week containing a Rosh Chodesh
29 Cheshvan November 16, 2020 Sigd Public holiday in Israel
1 Kislev November 17, 2020 Rosh Chodesh of Kislev In years when Cheshvan has 30 days, this also includes 30 Cheshvan.
1 Kislev November 17, 2020 1 Kislev Non Rosh Chodesh related observance, Chabad sect only
6 Kislev November 22, 2020 Ben-Gurion Day Public holiday in Israel
9 Kislev November 25, 2020 9 Kislev Chabad sect only
10 Kislev November 26, 2020 10 Kislev Chabad sect only
19 Kislev December 5, 2020 19 Kislev Chabad sect only
23 Kislev December 9, 2020 Teacher's Day in Israel
Movable December 11, 2020 Shabbat Mevorchim Shabbat preceding and beginning a week containing a Rosh Chodesh
25 Kislev— 2 Tevet December 11–17, 2020 Hanukkah Public holiday in Israel. Ends 3 Tevet if Kislev is short.
1 Tevet December 16, 2020 Rosh Chodesh of Tevet
5 Tevet 5 Tevet Chabad sect only
10 Tevet December 25, 2020 Tenth of Tevet Public holiday in Israel. Starts at dawn.
Movable January 9, 2021 Shabbat Mevorchim Shabbat preceding and beginning a week containing a Rosh Chodesh
29 Tevet January 13, 2021 Yom Kippur Katan 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. Starts at dawn.
1 Shevat January 14, 2021 Rosh Chodesh of Shevat
10 Shevat January 23, 2021 10 Shevat Chabad sect only
Movable January 23, 2021 Shabbat Shirah Shabbat that falls on or before Tu BiShvat
15 Shevat January 28, 2021 Tu BiShvat Public holiday in Israel
22 Shevat February 4, 2021 22 Shevat Chabad sect only
Movable February 13, 2021 Shabbat Shekalim Shabbat on or before Rosh Chodesh Adar (or Adar II in leap years)
29 Shevat February 11, 2021 Yom Kippur Katan 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 Adar February 12, 2021 Rosh Chodesh of Adar
7 Adar February 19, 2021 Seventh of Adar Starts at dawn. On Adar II on leap years, Adar I on non-leap years
Movable February 20, 2021 Shabbat Zachor Shabbat 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 Adar February 25, 2021 Fast of Esther Public 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 celebrated Purim Katan Minor Purim celebration on Adar I during leap years. Purim itself is celebrated in Adar II.
14 Adar February 26, 2021 Purim Public holiday in Israel On Adar II on leap years, Adar I on non-leap years.
15 Adar February 27, 2021 Shushan Purim On Adar II on leap years, Adar I on non-leap years.
Movable March 6, 2021 Shabbat Parah Shabbat preceding Shabbat HaChodesh
29 Adar March 11, 2021 Yom Kippur Katan 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.
Movable March 13, 2021 Shabbat HaChodesh Shabbat on or immediately preceding Rosh Chodesh of Nisan
1 Nisan March 14, 2021 Rosh Chodesh of Nisan This 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 Nisan March 23, 2021 Yom HaAliyah Public holiday in Israel
11 Nisan March 24, 2021 11 Nisan (Chabad sect only)
11 Nisan March 24, 2021 Education and Sharing Day United States
14 Nisan March 25, 2021 Fast of the Firstborn on 12 Nisan when the 14th falls on Sabbath
Movable March 27, 2021 Shabbat HaGadol Shabbat immediately preceding Passover
15-21 Nisan (1-day communities) / 15-22 Nisan (2-day communities) March 28-April 3, 2021/ March 28-April 4, 2021 Passover Public 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, 2021 Chol HaMoed Pesach Public holiday in Israel.
Movable April 3, 2021 Shabbat Chol Hamoed Pesach
21 Nisan April 3, 2021 Shvi'i shel Pesach Public holiday in Israel.
Movable April 3–12, 2021 Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust United States, Sunday before Yom Hashoah to following Sunday
22 Nisan (1-day communities) / 23 Nisan (2-day communities) April 4, 2021 / April 5, 2021 Mimouna Public holiday in Israel
16 Nisan - 5 Sivan Sunset, 28 March – nightfall, 16 May 2021 Counting the Omer
23 Nisan April 5, 2021 Seharane 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) Shab Shal Iranian Jews, end of Passover holiday.
27 Nisan sunset, April 8 – nightfall, April 9, 2021 Yom HaShoah Public holiday in Israel. Moved to 26 or 28 Nisan when the 27th falls on Friday or Sunday respectively, interfering with Shabbat.
Movable April 10, 2021 Shabbat Mevorchim Shabbat preceding and beginning a week containing a Rosh Chodesh
1 Iyar April 13, 2021 Rosh Chodesh of Iyar
2 Iyar April 14, 2021 2 Iyar Chabad sect only.
First Thursday of Iyar April 15, 2021 Bahab (optional)
4 Iyar Sunset, 16 April – nightfall, 17 April 2021 Yom Hazikaron Public holiday in Israel. Might be moved to avoid conflict with Independence Day (Israel) or Shabbat.
5 Iyar April 17, 2021 Day to Praise Same day as Independence Day (Israel), see next entry.
5 Iyar April 17, 2021 Independence Day (Israel) Public holiday in Israel. Might be moved to avoid conflict with Yom Hazikaron or Shabbat.
First Monday of Iyar April 19, 2021 Bahab (optional)
Monday following first Thursday of Iyar April 19, 2021 Bahab (optional)
10 Iyar April 22, 2021 Herzl Day Public holiday in Israel.
14 Iyar Sunset, 25 April – nightfall, 26 April 2021 Pesach Sheni
18 Iyar Sunset, 29 April – nightfall, 30 April 2021 Lag Ba'omer Public holiday in Israel.
28 Iyar May 10, 2021 Fast of Samuel Fast is optional and is generally only observed by Chevra kadisha. Starts at dawn.
28 Iyar May 10, 2021 Jerusalem Day Public holiday in Israel.
29 Iyar May 11, 2021 Yom Kippur Katan 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 Sivan May 12, 2021 Rosh Chodesh of Sivan
6 Sivan (1-day communities) / 6-7 Sivan (2-day communities) May 17, 2021/ May 17–18, 2021 Shavuot One of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals. Public holiday in Israel.
20 Sivan May 31, 2021 Fast of the Khmelnytsky massacres Not widely observed
29 Sivan June 9, 2021 Yom Kippur Katan 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 Tammuz June 11, 2021 Rosh Chodesh of Tammuz
3 Tammuz June 13, 2021 3 Tammuz Chabad sect only
12-13 Tammuz June 22–23, 2021 12-13 Tammuz Chabad sect only
17 Tammuz June 27, 2021 Seventeenth of Tammuz Can be moved to avoid interfering with Shabbat. Public holiday in Israel.
17 Tammuz - 9 Av June 27-July 18, 2021 The Three Weeks
29 Tammuz July 9, 2021 Jabotinsky Day Public holiday in Israel.
29 Tammuz July 9, 2021 Yom Kippur Katan 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 Av July 10, 2021 Rosh Chodesh of Av
1 Av - 9 Av July 10-July 18, 2021 The Nine Days
Movable July 17, 2021 Shabbat Chazon Shabbat immediately prior to Tisha B'Av
9 Av July 18, 2021 Tisha B'Av Public holiday in Israel
15 Av Sunset, 23 July – nightfall, 24 July 2021 Tu B'Av Public holiday in Israel.
Movable July 24, 2021 Shabat Nachamu Shabbat immediately following Tisha B'av
30 Av August 8, 2021 Yom Kippur Katan 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 Elul August 9, 2021 Rosh Hashanah LeMa'sar Behemah and Rosh Chodesh of Elul
15 Elul August 23, 2021 15 Elul Chabad sect only
18 Elul August 26, 2021 Chai Elul Chabad sect only
Movable August 28, 2021 Leil 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 Elul September 6, 2021 Erev Rosh Hashanah

Non-annual observances

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  • Jewish calendar year 5782 - Shmita - September 7, 2021 - September 25, 2022 (Observed every seven years)[3]
  • Jewish calendar year 5783 - Hakhel - Observed every seven years, comes after Shimita year.
  • Purim Meshulash - Rare calendar occurrence when Purim in Jerusalem falls on Shabbat. The next time this will happen is 2021.[4]
  • Purim Katan - Minor Purim celebration on Adar I during leap years. Purim itself is celebrated in Adar II. The next time this will happen is the Jewish year 5782, on February 14, 2022.[5]
  • 23 Nisan 5797 - Birkat Hachama - April 8, 2037 (Observed every 28 years)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Orthodox Union
  2. ^ "How Many Jewish New Years?".
  3. ^ "What Is Shemittah". www.chabad.org.
  4. ^ "Purim Meshulash". shulchanaruchharav.com.
  5. ^ "Purim Katan - Minor Purim celebration during Adar I on leap years - פורים קטן | Hebcal Jewish Calendar".
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