Determining if today is a Jewish holiday requires understanding the lunisolar Jewish calendar. Holidays fall on different Gregorian dates each year. Key holidays include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Sukkot, and Hanukkah. Less known but significant are Purim, Tu B’Shevat, and Shavuot. Online Jewish calendars or Jewish community centres can confirm if today is a holiday.
Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees, falls on the 15th of Shevat. This minor holiday connects Jews to Israel and its agriculture. It’s traditional to eat fruits like grapes, barley, wheat, pomegranates, figs, olives, and dates, often with honey.
Purim celebrates deliverance from annihilation in Persia with costumes, feasts, and the Megillah (Book of Esther) reading. Graggers (noisemakers) drown out the villain Haman’s name. Hamantaschen, triangular fruit-filled cookies, are a traditional treat.
Passover commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. This eight-day festival features the Seder, a symbolic meal with recitations from the Haggadah (Exodus story). Leavened bread (chametz) is avoided, replaced by matzah. Symbolic Seder foods include karpas, haroset, maror, and a shank bone.
Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day between Passover and Shavuot, is celebrated with bonfires, marking a break in the Omer’s semi-mourning. It’s linked to the Bar Kokhba revolt and is popular for weddings and joyous events.
Sefirat HaOmer, the 49-day count between Passover and Shavuot, anticipates receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. It’s a semi-mourning period with restrictions, culminating in the joyous Shavuot festival. While not a holiday, it’s a significant observance.