Why Does The Jewish Calendar Start In September

As a non-Jewish person, I have always been curious about why the Jewish calendar starts in September. I have never really understood the reason behind it, so I decided to do some research on the topic and share my findings.

What is the Jewish Calendar?

The Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar, which means that it is based on the cycles of the moon. The calendar consists of 12 months, each of which has either 29 or 30 days. The Jewish New Year, also known as Rosh Hashanah, marks the beginning of the Jewish calendar year.

Why Does the Jewish Calendar Start in September?

The Jewish calendar starts in September because it is based on the lunar cycle. The first month of the Jewish calendar is called Tishrei, which usually falls in September or October. Tishrei is the month in which Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated.

Rosh Hashanah is considered one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar. It is a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal. The holiday is celebrated by attending synagogue services, blowing the shofar (a hollowed-out ram’s horn), and eating symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey.

After Rosh Hashanah, there are several other important holidays and festivals that take place in the Jewish calendar. These include Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Hanukkah.

Events and Festivals in Why Does The Jewish Calendar Start In September

As mentioned earlier, Rosh Hashanah is celebrated in September or October, depending on the lunar cycle. Yom Kippur follows ten days after Rosh Hashanah, and Sukkot is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in December.

During Sukkot, Jews build temporary shelters, called sukkahs, to commemorate the time when the Israelites lived in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt. Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting the menorah, a candelabrum with nine branches, and eating foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts).

Question and Answer

Q: Why is the Jewish calendar based on the lunar cycle?

A: The Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle because the Hebrew Bible describes the months in terms of the phases of the moon. Each month begins with the sighting of the new moon.

Q: Why does the Jewish New Year fall in September or October?

A: The Jewish New Year falls in September or October because it is based on the lunar cycle. The first month of the Jewish calendar, Tishrei, usually falls in September or October.

FAQs

Q: Why are there different lengths of months in the Jewish calendar?

A: The Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle, which is approximately 29.5 days. In order to keep the calendar aligned with the solar cycle, a leap month is added to the calendar seven times every 19 years.

Q: Why do Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah?

A: Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah as the New Year because it is a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. It is a time to ask for forgiveness and to make resolutions for the coming year.

In conclusion, the Jewish calendar starts in September because it is based on the lunar cycle. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated in September or October, depending on the lunar cycle. The Jewish calendar is marked by several important holidays and festivals, including Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Hanukkah. These holidays are celebrated with prayer, reflection, and traditional foods.