The Jewish holidays are a time to celebrate and reflect on the past year and look forward to the year to come. They are a time to gather with family and friends, eat delicious food, and share stories and traditions. The Jewish holidays are also a time to learn about Jewish history and culture, and to connect with the Jewish community. In 2025, the Jewish holidays will begin on September 13th with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The holidays will continue through September 28th with Simchat Torah, the holiday that celebrates the completion of the reading of the Torah. In 2026, the Jewish holidays will begin on October 4th with Rosh Hashanah and end on October 13th with Simchat Torah.
One of the most important Jewish holidays is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur is a day of fasting and repentance, and it is considered to be the holiest day of the Jewish year. On Yom Kippur, Jews ask for forgiveness for their sins and seek to atone for their wrongdoings. Another important Jewish holiday is Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. Sukkot is a seven-day holiday that commemorates the Israelites’ wandering in the desert after they left Egypt. During Sukkot, Jews build temporary huts, or sukkahs, and eat their meals inside them. Sukkot is also a time to celebrate the harvest and to give thanks for God’s blessings.
Finally, one of the most joyful Jewish holidays is Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah is an eight-day holiday that commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks. During Hanukkah, Jews light candles in a menorah, eat latkes, and play dreidel. Hanukkah is also a time to celebrate the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Temple. The Jewish holidays are a rich and diverse tradition that has been celebrated for centuries. They are a time to connect with family and friends, to learn about Jewish history and culture, and to celebrate the Jewish faith.
Passover 2025 and 2026: Dates and Significance
The Jewish holiday of Passover commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is observed with symbolic rituals, traditional foods, and festive gatherings.
Dates
| Year | First Day of Passover | Last Day of Passover |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tuesday, April 8 | Tuesday, April 15 |
| 2026 | Friday, March 27 | Friday, April 3 |
Significance
Passover marks the beginning of spring and the transition from slavery to freedom. The holiday is celebrated with a seder, a ritual meal that includes special foods, prayers, and storytelling. Passover also includes the prohibition of eating leavened bread, which symbolizes the Israelites’ hasty departure from Egypt when they didn’t have time for their bread to rise.
Rosh Hashanah 2025 and 2026: Beginning the Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashanah, meaning “head of the year” in Hebrew, marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days. It is a time of reflection, repentance, and celebration. Jews traditionally observe Rosh Hashanah with special prayers, festive meals, and the sounding of the shofar, a ram’s horn trumpet.
Rosh Hashanah 2025 and 2026 Dates
| Year | Begins on | Ends on |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 29, Wednesday | October 1, Friday |
| 2026 | September 18, Thursday | September 20, Saturday |
Traditions and Customs of Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is marked by a number of unique traditions and customs, including:
- Sounding the Shofar: The shofar is blown 100 times during Rosh Hashanah services, symbolizing the call for repentance and the awakening of the soul.
- Eating Sweet Foods: Jews traditionally eat sweet foods on Rosh Hashanah, such as apples dipped in honey, to symbolize their hope for a sweet new year.
- Tashlich Ceremony: On the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, Jews perform the tashlich ceremony. This involves casting bread crumbs or small stones into a body of water as a symbolic way of casting away sins.
- Festive Meals: Rosh Hashanah is a time for celebration, and families and friends often gather for special meals that include traditional dishes such as brisket, challah, and honey cake.
Yom Kippur 2025 and 2026: Day of Atonement and Spiritual Renewal
Origins and Significance
Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Observed on the tenth day of Tishrei (usually in September or October), it commemorates the day when Moses returned from Mount Sinai with the second set of tablets containing the Ten Commandments. The day is set aside for reflection, repentance, and atonement for sins committed during the past year.
Observances and Traditions
Yom Kippur is marked by a 25-hour fast from sunset on the eve of the holiday until sunset the following day. During this time, Jews refrain from food, drink, bathing, wearing leather, and engaging in marital relations. The fast is intended to cleanse the body and soul and to create a state of humility and introspection.
Customs and Rituals
In addition to the fast, Yom Kippur is observed through various customs and rituals, including:
| Custom | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Kol Nidre Prayer | A prayer recited on the eve of Yom Kippur to annul any vows or oaths made during the past year. |
| Atonement Service | A series of prayers and confessions recited throughout Yom Kippur, seeking forgiveness for sins. |
| Al Chet Litany | A recitation of 46 confessions, acknowledging specific sins and asking for God’s mercy. |
Through these observances and rituals, Jews on Yom Kippur strive to atone for their sins, reconnect with their faith, and prepare for the coming year.
Sukkot 2025 and 2026: Festival of Tabernacles and Harvest
Sukkot, also known as the Festival of Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths, is a joyous Jewish holiday that commemorates the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt.
Sukkot 2025
Sukkot 2025 begins on the evening of October 1, 2025, and ends on the evening of October 8, 2025.
Sukkot 2026
Sukkot 2026 begins on the evening of September 20, 2026, and ends on the evening of September 27, 2026
Customs of Sukkot
During Sukkot, Jewish people build temporary huts called sukkahs, which represent the flimsy shelters the Israelites lived in during their desert wanderings. They also eat meals in the sukkah, share fruits of the harvest, and perform the traditional waving of the lulav and etrog.
The *lulav* is a bouquet of palm branches, myrtle branches, and willow branches, while the *etrog* is a special citrus fruit. These four species represent different parts of the human body and are waved in all directions to symbolize the Jewish people’s belief in God’s omnipresence.
Sukkot is a time of great joy and celebration. It is a reminder of God’s protection and provision, and a time to give thanks for the harvest.
Dates and Times of Sukkot 2025 and 2026
| Year | Begins | Ends |
| 2025 | October 1, 2025 | October 8, 2025 |
| 2026 | September 20, 2026 | September 27, 2026 |
Simchat Torah 2025 and 2026: Joyful Celebration of the Torah
Simchat Torah, also known as the “Rejoicing of the Torah,” is a Jewish holiday that marks the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new one. This joyous celebration is observed with singing, dancing, and a ceremonial procession of the Torah scrolls.
Simchat Torah 2025
In 2025, Simchat Torah will begin on the evening of October 11th and end on the evening of October 12th.
Simchat Torah 2026
In 2026, Simchat Torah will begin on the evening of October 10th and end on the evening of October 11th.
Customs and Observances
- Torah reading: The entire Torah is read over the course of the year, and Simchat Torah marks the completion of this cycle. On Simchat Torah, the final portion of the Torah, called V’Zot HaBrachah, is read, as well as the first portion of the new cycle, called Bereshit.
- Hakafot: During Simchat Torah, the Torah scrolls are paraded around the synagogue seven times in a celebratory procession.
- Singing and dancing: Simchat Torah is a time for joy and celebration, and singing and dancing are an integral part of the festivities.
Hakafot Schedule
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Morning | Children’s hakafot |
| Afternoon | Adult hakafot |
| Evening | Final hakafot and dance party |
Significance of Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah is a celebration of the Torah, the sacred text that forms the foundation of Jewish faith and practice. It reminds us of the importance of studying and living by the Torah’s teachings, and it inspires us to continue our journey of spiritual growth.
Hanukkah 2025 and 2026: Festival of Lights and Victory
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.
Dates of Hanukkah in 2025 and 2026
The dates of Hanukkah vary each year according to the Hebrew calendar. In 2025, Hanukkah begins on the evening of December 7th and ends on the evening of December 15th. In 2026, Hanukkah begins on the evening of December 5th and ends on the evening of December 13th.
Traditions of Hanukkah
Hanukkah is celebrated with a number of traditions, including:
Lighting the Menorah
One of the most important traditions of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah. The menorah is a special candelabra with nine branches, one for each night of Hanukkah. On each night of the holiday, one additional candle is lit on the menorah.
Playing Dreidel
Another popular Hanukkah tradition is playing dreidel. Dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters on each side. The letters stand for the words “nes gadol hayah sham,” which means “a great miracle happened there.” When playing dreidel, players spin the top and then bet on which letter will land facing up.
Eating Latkes and Sufganiyot
Latkes are potato pancakes that are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah. Sufganiyot are jelly-filled doughnuts that are also popular Hanukkah treats.
Giving Gifts
In some families, it is customary to give gifts on Hanukkah. Gifts are typically small and symbolic of the holiday, such as menorahs, dreidels, or books about Jewish history and culture.
Meaning of Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It is a time for family, friends, and community. Hanukkah is also a reminder of the importance of religious freedom and the resilience of the Jewish people.
Tu B’Shevat 2025 and 2026: Jewish Arbor Day
Tu B’Shevat, also known as Jewish Arbor Day, celebrates the new year for trees in the Jewish calendar. It occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, which typically falls in January or February. In 2025, Tu B’Shevat will begin on the evening of January 18th and end on the evening of January 19th. In 2026, it will begin on the evening of February 6th and end on the evening of February 7th.
Tree-Planting Ceremonies
One of the traditional ways to celebrate Tu B’Shevat is to participate in a tree-planting ceremony. These ceremonies often take place in forests or parks, and they involve planting new trees to symbolize the renewal of nature and the importance of trees in the Jewish tradition.
Special Foods
Certain foods are also associated with Tu B’Shevat. These include:
| Food | Symbolism |
|---|---|
| Carobs | Prosperity and abundance |
| Dates | Sweetness and fruitfulness |
| Figs | Wisdom and knowledge |
| Grapes | Joy and happiness |
| Pomegranates | Righteousness and beauty |
| Wheat | Nourishment and sustenance |
Seven Species
The Torah specifically mentions seven species of plants that are native to the Land of Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. These species are often associated with Tu B’Shevat and are frequently featured in holiday celebrations and blessings.
Environmental Conservation
Tu B’Shevat has also become a day for raising awareness about environmental conservation. Many people use this holiday as an opportunity to reflect on the importance of protecting the natural world and to take action to reduce their environmental impact.
Purim 2025 and 2026: Festival of Lots and Deliverance
Purim is a joyous Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire from a plot to annihilate them. The holiday gets its name from the Hebrew word “pur,” which means “lots,” derived from the villain of the Book of Esther, Haman, who cast lots to determine the day of the plot’s execution.
On Purim, Jews read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the holiday, and hold festive meals called “Purim Seudot” with wine, special foods, and singing. Children dress up in costumes and engage in lively dancing and singing, with a focus on celebrating the triumph of good over evil.
Purim 2025
In 2025, Purim will begin on the evening of Wednesday, March 5th, and end on the evening of Thursday, March 6th.
Purim 2026
In 2026, Purim will begin on the evening of Thursday, February 26th, and end on the evening of Friday, February 27th.
The Significance of the Number 8
The number 8 holds great significance in the Purim story:
- Haman cast lots on the 13th of Nisan, the eighth month of the Jewish calendar.
- The decree to destroy the Jews was issued on the 13th of Sivan, the eighth month of the calendar.
- Esther went before the king on the 13th of Tevet, the eighth month.
- The enemies of the Jews were hanged on the 13th of Adar, the eighth month.
- The eight days of Purim correspond to the eight days that the Jews fought off their enemies.
- The Book of Esther mentions the number eight a total of 10 times.
| Event | Date (Month 8) |
|---|---|
| Haman casts lots | Nisan 13 |
| Decree to destroy Jews issued | Sivan 13 |
| Esther goes before the king | Tevet 13 |
| Enemies hanged | Adar 13 |
Pesach Sheni 2025 and 2026: Second Passover
Pesach Sheni, or Second Passover, is a minor Jewish holiday that occurs one month after the first Passover. It is observed on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, and its observance is based on the biblical commandment to offer a second Passover sacrifice for those who were unable to do so during the first Passover.
Here are the dates for Pesach Sheni in 2025 and 2026:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | April 24 |
| 2026 | May 13 |
Pesach Sheni is a relatively minor holiday, and its observance is not as widespread as that of the first Passover. However, it is still an important part of the Jewish calendar, and it provides an opportunity for those who missed the first Passover to make a second offering.
Observances of Pesach Sheni
The observances of Pesach Sheni are similar to those of the first Passover. The day is marked by the reading of the Torah portion that describes the commandment to offer a second Passover sacrifice, and by the offering of a second Passover sacrifice in the Temple in Jerusalem. In addition, the day is also a day of rest and feasting, and many Jews will gather with family and friends to enjoy a festive meal.
Significance of Pesach Sheni
Pesach Sheni has a number of important meanings. First, it is a reminder of the importance of following God’s commandments. Second, it is a symbol of God’s compassion for those who are unable to fulfill his commandments. Third, it is a reminder of the hope of redemption and the belief that one day all Jews will be able to celebrate Passover together in Jerusalem.
Lag Ba’Omer 2025 and 2026: Festival of Akiva and Shimon Bar Yochai
Meaning and Origin
Lag Ba’Omer is a joyous Jewish holiday celebrated on the 33rd day of the Omer period, which counts the days between Passover and Shavuot. The name “Lag Ba’Omer” is an acronym for “Lag B’Omer,” where “Lag” represents the numerical value of 33. The holiday commemorates two prominent rabbis: Akiva and Shimon Bar Yochai.
Rabbi Akiva
Rabbi Akiva was a renowned sage and teacher who lived in Roman-occupied Judea during the 1st century AD. He is known for his profound teachings, his efforts to revive Jewish scholarship, and his martyrdom under Roman persecution.
Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai
Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was a disciple of Rabbi Akiva and a mystic who lived in the 2nd century AD. He is known for his writings, including the Zohar, a seminal work of Kabbalah. Legend has it that Rabbi Shimon and his son hid in a cave for 13 years to avoid Roman capture, during which time they studied Torah and communed with God.
Customs and Traditions
Lag Ba’Omer is a day of celebration and joy. Traditional customs include:
- Bonfires: Families and communities gather around bonfires to commemorate Rabbi Akiva’s students who miraculously survived a plague.
- Picnics and outings: People enjoy picnics and outings in nature to celebrate the beauty of spring.
- Archery: In remembrance of the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Romans, archery competitions are held.
- Cutting hair and shaving: Children under the age of three who have not yet had their first haircut or shaved their beards traditionally do so on Lag Ba’Omer.
- Studying Torah: The day is also devoted to studying Torah and discussing Jewish teachings.
Dates in 2025 and 2026
Lag Ba’Omer will fall on the following dates in 2025 and 2026:
| Year | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tuesday, May 13th | Wednesday, May 14th |
| 2026 | Wednesday, May 6th | Thursday, May 7th |
Significance
Lag Ba’Omer is a joyful celebration that commemorates the lives and teachings of two revered Jewish sages. It is a day to reflect on the importance of faith, scholarship, and unity in the face of adversity.
Jewish Holidays 2025 and 2026
The Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle, so the dates of Jewish holidays vary from year to year. In 2025, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, will begin on the evening of September 13th and end on the evening of September 15th. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, will begin on the evening of September 23rd and end on the evening of September 24th. In 2026, Rosh Hashanah will begin on the evening of September 2nd and end on the evening of September 4th. Yom Kippur will begin on the evening of September 12th and end on the evening of September 13th.
Other major Jewish holidays that will be celebrated in 2025 and 2026 include: Passover, which commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt; Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Torah to the Israelites at Mount Sinai; and Sukkot, which celebrates the harvest.
People Also Ask About Jewish Holidays 2025 and 2026
When is Rosh Hashanah in 2025?
Rosh Hashanah will begin on the evening of September 13th and end on the evening of September 15th in 2025.
When is Yom Kippur in 2026?
Yom Kippur will begin on the evening of September 12th and end on the evening of September 13th in 2026.
What are the major Jewish holidays?
The major Jewish holidays include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
