Prepare for a year filled with spiritual observances and joyous celebrations as we delve into the Jewish holidays 2025 calendar. From the somber remembrance of Yom Kippur to the vibrant revelry of Hanukkah, this calendar offers a tapestry of traditions that connect us to our heritage and enrich our present. Embark on a journey through time, where we commemorate milestones, honor our ancestors, and celebrate the resilience of the Jewish spirit.
The Jewish holidays 2025 calendar commences with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, a time for reflection and renewal. The sound of the shofar, an ancient ram’s horn, heralds the beginning of a period of introspection, as we consider our actions and seek forgiveness. Transitioning into Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, we engage in a day of fasting and молитва, seeking reconciliation with ourselves and others. This somber day culminates in the Ne’ilah prayer, a powerful plea for forgiveness and a chance to start anew.
As the year progresses, we celebrate Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, a time to dwell in temporary shelters and remember our ancestors’ journey through the wilderness. Simchat Torah, the Rejoicing of the Law, follows, marking the completion and recommencement of the Torah reading cycle. And during Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, we kindle the menorah each night, commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over foreign oppressors. Each of these holidays holds a unique significance, offering opportunities for spiritual growth, communal connection, and the preservation of our rich cultural heritage.
Rosh Hashanah 2025: The Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, marks the beginning of the High Holy Days, a period of introspection and repentance. In 2025, Rosh Hashanah will begin on the evening of Sunday, September 21, and end on the evening of Tuesday, September 23.
The holiday is observed with a variety of customs and traditions, including:
- Prayer and repentance: Jews attend synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to pray for forgiveness and to make amends for their sins.
- Shofar blowing: The shofar, a ram’s horn, is blown during synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah. The sound of the shofar is a call to repentance and a reminder of God’s judgment.
- Festive meals: Jews gather with family and friends for festive meals on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Traditional dishes include apples and honey, which symbolize hope for a sweet new year.
- Tashlich: On the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, Jews often perform the ritual of tashlich, in which they symbolically cast their sins into a body of water.
- Waving the Four Species: On each day of Sukkot, it is customary to wave four species of plants: a palm branch, a myrtle branch, a willow branch, and an etrog (a citron). These species represent the diversity of the Jewish people and the hope for a bountiful harvest.
- Eating in the Sukkah: During Sukkot, it is customary to eat all of one’s meals in the sukkah. This practice symbolizes the Israelites’ reliance on God during their journey through the desert.
- Sleeping in the Sukkah: While not required, many Jews choose to sleep in the sukkah during Sukkot. This practice further symbolizes the Israelites’ experience in the desert.
- Hakafot: Processions with the Torah scrolls are held around the synagogue while people sing and dance.
- Yizkor: A memorial service is held to remember departed loved ones.
- Simchat Beit HaShoeivah: A festive gathering where people celebrate with music, dancing, and food.
- Lighting the menorah: The menorah is a nine-branched candelabra that is lit each night of Hanukkah. The candles are lit from left to right, with the shamash (helper candle) used to light the other candles.
- Singing songs and prayers: Hanukkah songs and prayers are sung throughout the holiday. Some of the most popular songs include “Ma’oz Tzur” and “O Hanukkah.”
- Eating traditional foods: Traditional Hanukkah foods include latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), and challah (braided bread).
- Playing games: Dreidel is a popular Hanukkah game that is played with a four-sided spinning top. The letters on the top stand for the Hebrew words “nes gadol haya sham” (a great miracle happened there).
- Haman cast lots (Purim in Hebrew) on the 7th of the 12th month (Adar) to determine the day to annihilate the Jews.
- Esther invited King Xerxes and Haman to two banquets, which took place on the 7th day of the Adar month.
- The Jews were given permission to defend themselves on the 13th of Adar, which was 7 days after the original date set by Haman.
- The Jews defeated their enemies in a 7-hour battle.
- The Book of Esther records the names of the 10 sons of Haman who were hanged on 7 gallows.
- The Megillah (Book of Esther) is read 7 times during the Purim holiday.
- The Hanukkah Menorah used in Purim has 7 branches, representing the 7 days of the festival.
- Matzah: Eight sheets of matzah (unleavened bread) symbolize the Israelites’ hasty departure from Egypt.
- Plagues: There were eight plagues that God brought upon Egypt as punishment for Pharaoh’s refusal to free the Israelites.
- Circumcision: Jewish males are circumcised on the eighth day of their lives, a practice that originated during Moses’ time in Egypt.
- Passover Offerings: Two male lambs or goats were sacrificed as Passover offerings, one on the eighth and one on the fourteenth day of the festival.
- Counting the Omer: After Passover, Jews count the Omer for 49 days (seven weeks) until the festival of Shavuot, with each day counted as one-eighth of the total.
- Hanukkah: The Hanukkah menorah has eight branches, representing the eight days of the festival and the number of nights the oil in the Temple’s menorah miraculously lasted.
- Shemini Atzeret: The eighth day after Sukkot, known as Shemini Atzeret, is marked by special prayers and a festive atmosphere.
- Chanukah Blessings: The blessings recited over the candles of the Hanukkah menorah include a reference to the eight days of the holiday.
- Reading the Book of Ruth in the synagogue
- Eating dairy foods, such as cheesecake and blintzes
- Decorating synagogues and homes with greenery
- Studying Torah throughout the night
Dates for Rosh Hashanah 2025
| Start Date | Start Time | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, September 21 | sundown | Tuesday, September 23 |
Yom Kippur 2025: The Day of Atonement
The Day of Atonement: A Time for Reflection and Repentance
Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, is a time for deep introspection and sincere repentance. This 25-hour period, which begins at sundown on the evening of September 29th, 2025, and ends at nightfall on September 30th, requires the observance of a strict fast along with prayers and confessions that seek forgiveness for sins committed during the past year.
Observances and Rituals of Yom Kippur
During Yom Kippur, all work and activity ceases as the Jewish community focuses on their relationship with God. Prayer services are held throughout the day, and many people attend a special “Kol Nidre” service on the eve of the holiday. This service involves the recitation of a prayer that releases individuals from any vows or promises made during the previous year. Traditional penitential prayers are recited, including the “Vidui,” a confession of sins, and the “Al Chet,” a list of specific transgressions. Synagogue services also include the blowing of the shofar, a ram’s horn, which signals the end of the fast and the start of the new year.
| Observances of Yom Kippur |
|---|
| Strict fasting from sundown to sundown |
| Prayers and confessions throughout the day |
| Kol Nidre service on the eve of the holiday |
| Recitation of the Vidui and Al Chet prayers |
| Blowing of the shofar to end the fast |
Sukkot 2025: The Feast of Tabernacles
Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is one of the most important Jewish holidays. It commemorates the 40 years that the Israelites wandered in the desert after being freed from slavery in Egypt. During this time, they lived in temporary shelters called “sukkahs” to protect themselves from the elements.
Rituals and Observances
Sukkot is celebrated over eight days in the fall. During this time, it is customary to build and decorate a sukkah in one’s backyard or courtyard. The sukkah should be large enough to sleep in and should have a roof made of natural materials, such as branches or leaves. It should also be decorated with fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
In addition to building a sukkah, there are a number of other rituals and observances associated with Sukkot. These include:
Jewish Holidays 2025 Calendar
| Holiday | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Rosh Hashanah | September 18 | September 20 |
| Yom Kippur | September 27 | September 28 |
| Sukkot | September 30 | October 7 |
| Simchat Torah | October 8 | October 8 |
| Hanukkah | December 10 | December 18 |
Simchat Torah 2025: The Rejoicing of the Torah
Simchat Torah, also known as the “Rejoicing of the Torah,” is a Jewish holiday that marks the completion of the yearly cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new one. In 2025, Simchat Torah will be celebrated on Sunday, September 28th.
Significance of Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah celebrates the Torah, which is considered the sacred text of Judaism. During the holiday, Jews gather in synagogues to read the final passages of the Torah and then start again from the beginning. This ritual symbolizes the continuous nature of the Torah and its teachings.
Traditions of Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah is observed with joyful celebrations and festivities. Some of the traditional practices include:
Dates of Simchat Torah 2025
The dates of Simchat Torah in 2025 are as follows:
| Date | Day |
|---|---|
| September 28th | Sunday |
Hanukkah 2025: The Festival of Lights
When is Hanukkah 2025?
Hanukkah 2025 begins at sunset on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and ends at nightfall on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. The holiday is celebrated for eight nights and is marked by the lighting of menorahs, singing of songs and prayers, eating of traditional foods, and playing of games.
What are the customs of Hanukkah?
Some of the customs of Hanukkah include:
What is the significance of Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates the victory of good over evil and the triumph of light over darkness. It is also a time to reflect on the importance of religious freedom and to remember the sacrifices that have been made throughout history to protect it.
Hanukkah 2025 Calendar
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, December 24, 2025 | First night of Hanukkah: Lighting of the first candle |
| Thursday, December 25, 2025 | Second night of Hanukkah: Lighting of the second candle |
| Friday, December 26, 2025 | Third night of Hanukkah: Lighting of the third candle |
| Saturday, December 27, 2025 | Fourth night of Hanukkah: Lighting of the fourth candle |
| Sunday, December 28, 2025 | Fifth night of Hanukkah: Lighting of the fifth candle |
| Monday, December 29, 2025 | Sixth night of Hanukkah: Lighting of the sixth candle |
| Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | Seventh night of Hanukkah: Lighting of the seventh candle |
| Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | Eighth night of Hanukkah: Lighting of the eighth candle |
Tu B’Shevat 2025: The New Year for Trees
Tu B’Shevat, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, marks the New Year for Trees. It is a time to celebrate the bounty of the natural world and the importance of trees to our lives.
Meaning of Tu B’Shevat
The name Tu B’Shevat comes from the Hebrew phrase “Tu BiShvat,” which means “the 15th of Shevat.” The holiday is also known as the New Year for Trees because it is a time when trees begin to wake up from their winter slumber and start to grow new leaves.
Customs and Traditions
On Tu B’Shevat, Jewish people traditionally eat fruits and nuts, plant trees, and give charity. Eating fruits and nuts is a way to celebrate the bounty of the natural world and to remember the importance of trees to our lives. Planting trees is a way to show our commitment to the environment and to future generations.
Tikkun Olam
Tu B’Shevat is also a time to focus on Tikkun Olam, the Jewish concept of repairing the world. On this day, we can do our part to make the world a better place by planting trees, recycling, and reducing our waste.
The Importance of Trees
Trees are essential to life on Earth. They provide us with oxygen, food, and shelter. They also help to clean our air and water, and they provide a habitat for animals. By celebrating Tu B’Shevat, we can show our appreciation for trees and our commitment to protecting them.
Dates and Times
| Year | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 20, 2025 | January 21, 2025 |
Purim 2025: The Feast of Lots
Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from annihilation in the Persian Empire in the 4th century BCE. The holiday is celebrated with readings from the Book of Esther, festive meals, and costumes. In 2025, Purim begins at sunset on March 7 and ends at nightfall on March 8.
The Number 7 in Purim
The number 7 plays a significant role in the Purim story:
| Purim 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Start: | March 7, 2025 (sunset) |
| End: | March 8, 2025 (nightfall) |
Passover 2025: The Festival of Freedom
Passover, a significant Jewish holiday, commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. In 2025, Passover will be observed from April 5th to April 13th.
The Significance of Number Eight
The number eight holds special significance in Passover traditions. Here are a few examples:
These examples highlight the deep significance of the number eight within Jewish Passover traditions and symbolism.
Shavuot 2025: The Festival of Weeks
Shavuot, meaning “Weeks”, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. It is also known as the Festival of Weeks because it occurs seven weeks (49 days) after the holiday of Passover. In 2025, Shavuot will begin on the evening of Sunday, May 24th, and end on the evening of Tuesday, May 26th.
Customs and Traditions
Shavuot is traditionally celebrated by:
The Number 9
The number 9 plays a significant role in Shavuot. The Torah was given on the 6th of Sivan, which is the 9th Hebrew month. There are also 9 commandments in the “Ten Commandments” which are really 10 statements but 9 of them start with the words “You shall not”. Additionally, the Omer, a traditional Jewish practice of counting the days between Passover and Shavuot, consists of 9 weeks, each divided into 9 days.
| Day | Hebrew Month | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Begins | Sivan | 6th |
| Ends | Sivan | 16th |
| Duration | 7 | Weeks |
| Number of Commandments | 9 | |
| Number of Omer Days | 49 |
Tisha B’Av 2025: The Fast of the Ninth of Av
Tisha B’Av is a solemn day of fasting and mourning in the Jewish calendar, commemorating several tragedies that befell the Jewish people throughout history.
In 2025, Tisha B’Av will begin at sunset on Sunday, August 10th and end at nightfall on Monday, August 11th.
During the fast, Jews traditionally abstain from food and drink, wear leather shoes, and refrain from bathing, marital relations, and other forms of physical pleasure.
Ten Tragedies Mourned on Tisha B’Av
| Event | Year |
|---|---|
| Destruction of the First Temple | 586 BCE |
| Destruction of the Second Temple | 70 CE |
| Bar Kokhba’s revolt | 135 CE |
| Decree forbidding circumcision | 135 CE |
| Crusader massacre | 1095 CE |
| Expulsion from England | 1290 CE |
| Expulsion from France | 1306 CE |
| Pogroms during the Black Death | 1348 CE |
| Khmelnytsky Massacres | 1648 CE |
| Holocaust | 20th century CE |
Tisha B’Av is a time for reflection, repentance, and mourning, as well as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the Jewish people in the face of adversity.
Jewish Holidays 2025 Calendar
The Jewish calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which means that it is based on both the moon and the sun. The Jewish year begins in the fall, and the months are named after the Hebrew words for the seasons. The Jewish holidays are based on the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. The most important Jewish holidays include Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah.
The Jewish holidays are a time for celebration and reflection. They are a time to remember the history and traditions of the Jewish people, and to celebrate the Jewish faith. The Jewish holidays are also a time to spend time with family and friends, and to enjoy the traditions of Jewish culture.
People Also Ask About Jewish Holidays 2025 Calendar
When is Passover 2025?
Passover 2025 begins on Wednesday, April 8th and ends on Thursday, April 16th.
When is Rosh Hashanah 2025?
Rosh Hashanah 2025 begins on Monday, September 8th and ends on Tuesday, September 9th.
When is Yom Kippur 2025?
Yom Kippur 2025 begins on Tuesday, September 16th and ends on Wednesday, September 17th.
When is Hanukkah 2025?
Hanukkah 2025 begins on Saturday, December 12th and ends on Sunday, December 20th.
