Major Jewish holidays, their meaning, and observances
20 cards · religion
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| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| Shabbat | Weekly day of rest; Friday sunset to Saturday night Commemorates creation and the Exodus; marked by candles, Kiddush, rest from work. |
| Rosh Hashanah | Jewish New Year; Tishrei 1–2; shofar sounded A time of reflection and prayer; festive meals include apples dipped in honey. |
| Yom Kippur | Day of Atonement; Tishrei 10; 25‑hour fast and prayer Focus on repentance and forgiveness; Kol Nidre and Neilah frame the day’s services. |
| Ten Days of Repentance | Period from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur Emphasis on teshuvah, prayer, and charity to refine one’s actions. |
| Sukkot | Weeklong festival; dwell in sukkah; four species Begins Tishrei 15; recalls wilderness booths and celebrates the harvest. |
| Shemini Atzeret | Eighth day after Sukkot; prayer for rain Distinct from Sukkot; marks the start of the rainy season in the Land of Israel. |
| Simchat Torah | Completion and restart of annual Torah reading Celebrated with hakafot—joyful processions dancing with Torah scrolls. |
| Hanukkah | Eight-day festival of lights; kindle menorah Commemorates the Temple’s rededication and the oil that lasted eight days. |
| Tu BiShvat | New Year of trees; 15 Shevat; fruit customs Often marked by planting and a fruit-focused seder in some communities. |
| Purim | Deliverance in Esther; read Megillah; gifts and feast Includes mishloach manot, charity, costumes, and joyous celebration. |
| Passover | Spring; Nisan 15; Exodus retold; avoid leaven Seder night recounts the story; matzah eaten; lasts 7–8 days by community. |
| Counting the Omer | 49 days from Passover to Shavuot; daily blessing Many observe semi-mourning customs during this period. |
| Shavuot | Festival of Weeks; Sinai revelation; all-night study Begins Sivan 6; dairy foods are traditional; marks the wheat harvest. |
| Tisha B'Av | Fast of 9 Av; mourns Temple destructions Lamentations is read; other national tragedies are also remembered. |
| Brit milah | Covenant circumcision on the 8th day Performed by a mohel; welcomes the child into the Abrahamic covenant. |
| Bar mitzvah | Coming-of-age at 13; assumes commandments Often includes Torah reading in synagogue and a community celebration. |
| Bat mitzvah | Coming-of-age at 12–13; assumes responsibilities Practices vary by community; may include leading prayers or learning. |
| Ketubah | Jewish marriage contract outlining obligations Specifies financial and marital duties; signed before the wedding ceremony. |
| Shiva | Seven-day mourning period after burial Mourners receive visitors, sit low, and recite prayers at home. |
| Kashrut | Jewish dietary laws; permitted foods and separation Defines kosher; includes species rules and separating meat and dairy. |