Determining if today is a Jewish holiday requires understanding the Jewish calendar, which is lunisolar, meaning it’s based on both the cycles of the moon and the sun. This results in holidays falling on different dates each year in the Gregorian calendar. Commonly celebrated Jewish holidays include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Sukkot, and Hanukkah. Less widely known holidays, but still significant, are Purim, Tu B’Shevat, and Shavuot. To find out if today is a Jewish holiday, you can consult a Jewish calendar, often found online or in Jewish community centers. Many websites and apps dedicated to Jewish culture and religion will also provide information on the current Jewish date and any holidays being observed.
Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees, is a minor Jewish holiday celebrated on the 15th of Shevat in the Hebrew calendar. This holiday connects the Jewish people to the land of Israel and its agricultural cycles. Traditionally, it’s a time to eat fruits associated with the land, especially the seven species mentioned in the Torah: grapes, barley, wheat, pomegranates, figs, olives, and dates. Honey is also often included.
Purim, a joyous festival commemorating the Jewish people’s deliverance from annihilation in ancient Persia, is celebrated with costumes, festive meals, and the reading of the Megillah, the Book of Esther. Noisemakers called gragers are used to drown out the name of the villain Haman whenever it is read aloud. Hamantaschen, triangular cookies filled with fruit, are a traditional treat.
Passover, a major Jewish festival, commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. This eight-day holiday centers around the Seder, a ritual meal filled with symbolic foods and recitations from the Haggadah, the story of the Exodus. During Passover, Jews abstain from eating or owning leavened bread (chametz), substituting it with matzah, unleavened bread. Key symbolic foods on the Seder plate include karpas (parsley), haroset (a sweet paste), maror (bitter herbs), charoset, and a roasted shank bone.
Lag B’Omer, observed on the 33rd day of the Omer counting period between Passover and Shavuot, is a day of celebration and bonfires. It marks a break in the semi-mourning period of the Omer and is often associated with the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Roman Empire. This day is celebrated with outdoor activities like bonfires and archery. It’s a popular day for weddings and other joyous events.
Sefirat HaOmer, the Counting of the Omer, is a 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot. During this time, Jews count each day, anticipating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It’s a period of semi-mourning, with some restrictions on celebrations, culminating in the joyous festival of Shavuot. While not a holiday itself, it’s a significant observance in the Jewish calendar.
