https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/where-to-start-your-first-holiday-cycle.xml /articles/where-to-start-your-first-holiday-cycle xml article Your First Holiday Cycle The Jewish year has a clear shape. Knowing the shape makes every individual holiday more meaningful. The New Jew /index.xml Sacred Time /sections/sacred-time.xml Your First Holiday Cycle /articles/where-to-start-your-first-holiday-cycle.xml https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/where-to-start-your-first-holiday-cycle https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/where-to-start-your-first-holiday-cycle.json <_xml>https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/where-to-start-your-first-holiday-cycle.xml
where-to-start-your-first-holiday-cycle Your First Holiday Cycle The Jewish year has a clear shape. Knowing the shape makes every individual holiday more meaningful. Summary. The Jewish year begins in the fall with the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe—Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), proceeds through the harvest festivals (Sukkot and Simchat Torah), gets through the winter with Hanukkah, the early spring with Purim, the redemption festival of Pesach, the giving-of-Torah festival of Shavuot, and the summer’s solemn fast of Tisha B’Av. Once a New Jew has lived through one full cycle, the rhythm of Jewish life is internalized. Start with whichever holiday is next. orientation where-to-start holidays calendar year 2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z 536 2
sacred-time Sacred Time
https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/your-first-holiday-cycle-ms8hpkbs-ae4a2d52.png https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/your-first-holiday-cycle-crop-ms8ipz64-dacbb2a6-large.png https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/your-first-holiday-cycle-crop-ms8ipz64-dacbb2a6-thumb.png Your First Holiday Cycle summary Summary. The Jewish year begins in the fall with the [Yamim Noraim](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) (Days of Awe—[Rosh Hashanah](/glossary.xml#letter-R) and [Yom Kippur](/glossary.xml#letter-Y)), proceeds through the harvest festivals ([Sukkot](/glossary.xml#letter-S) and [Simchat Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-S)), gets through the winter with [Hanukkah](/glossary.xml#letter-H), the early spring with [Purim](/glossary.xml#letter-P), the redemption festival of [Pesach](/glossary.xml#letter-P), the giving-of-[Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-T) festival of [Shavuot](/glossary.xml#letter-S), and the summer’s solemn fast of [Tisha B’Av](/glossary.xml#letter-T). Once a New Jew has lived through one full cycle, the rhythm of Jewish life is internalized. Start with whichever holiday is next. Summary. The Jewish year begins in the fall with the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe—Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), proceeds through the harvest festivals (Sukkot and Simchat Torah), gets through the winter with Hanukkah, the early spring with Purim, the redemption festival of Pesach, the giving-of-Torah festival of Shavuot, and the summer’s solemn fast of Tisha B’Av. Once a New Jew has lived through one full cycle, the rhythm of Jewish life is internalized. Start with whichever holiday is next. paragraph Do not try to learn all the holidays at once. Take them as they come. The Holidays chapter of this guide gives a full treatment of each; here is the shape of the year for orientation: Do not try to learn all the holidays at once. Take them as they come. The Holidays chapter of this guide gives a full treatment of each; here is the shape of the year for orientation: heading The Three Pillars: Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot The Three Pillars: Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot paragraph These are the [shalosh regalim](/glossary.xml#letter-S), the three pilgrimage festivals commanded in the Torah ([Devarim 16](https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.16)). They mark, respectively, the Exodus from Egypt (Pesach, spring), the giving of the Torah at Sinai (Shavuot, early summer), and the wandering in the wilderness (Sukkot, fall). These are the shalosh regalim, the three pilgrimage festivals commanded in the Torah (Devarim 16). They mark, respectively, the Exodus from Egypt (Pesach, spring), the giving of the Torah at Sinai (Shavuot, early summer), and the wandering in the wilderness (Sukkot, fall). heading The Yamim Noraim: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur The Yamim Noraim: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur paragraph The Days of Awe in the early fall—the New Year and the Day of Atonement. The most attended services of the Jewish year, even for otherwise non-observant Jews. The first stop, for many New Jews, is High Holiday services. The Days of Awe in the early fall—the New Year and the Day of Atonement. The most attended services of the Jewish year, even for otherwise non-observant Jews. The first stop, for many New Jews, is High Holiday services. heading The Rabbinic Festivals: Hanukkah, Purim The Rabbinic Festivals: Hanukkah, Purim paragraph Hanukkah in winter commemorates the Maccabean victory and the miracle of the oil (2nd century BCE). Purim in early spring commemorates the salvation of Persian Jewry in the [Book of Esther](https://www.sefaria.org/Esther). Neither is commanded in the Torah; both are commanded by the rabbis (and the [megillah](/glossary.xml#letter-M), in Purim’s case). Hanukkah in winter commemorates the Maccabean victory and the miracle of the oil (2nd century BCE). Purim in early spring commemorates the salvation of Persian Jewry in the Book of Esther. Neither is commanded in the Torah; both are commanded by the rabbis (and the megillah, in Purim’s case). heading The Fasts The Fasts paragraph Five public fasts mark the Jewish year—most central is Tisha B’Av, commemorating the destruction of both Temples and many other catastrophes throughout Jewish history. [Tzom Gedaliah](/glossary.xml#letter-T), the 10th of [Tevet](/glossary.xml#letter-T), the 17th of [Tammuz](/glossary.xml#letter-T), and the [Fast of Esther](/glossary.xml#letter-T) frame the year with grief and remembrance. Five public fasts mark the Jewish year—most central is Tisha B’Av, commemorating the destruction of both Temples and many other catastrophes throughout Jewish history. Tzom Gedaliah, the 10th of Tevet, the 17th of Tammuz, and the Fast of Esther frame the year with grief and remembrance. heading The Modern Additions The Modern Additions paragraph [Yom HaShoah](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) (Holocaust Remembrance Day), [Yom HaZikaron](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) (Israel’s Memorial Day), [Yom HaAtzmaut](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) (Israel’s Independence Day), and [Yom Yerushalayim](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) (Jerusalem Day) were added to the calendar in the twentieth century and are observed across most of the Jewish world, with denominational variation in liturgical recognition. Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day), Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day), and Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) were added to the calendar in the twentieth century and are observed across most of the Jewish world, with denominational variation in liturgical recognition. heading Where Denominations Diverge Where Denominations Diverge paragraph [Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-O) communities outside Israel observe a second day of the major festivals ([Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot](/glossary.xml#letter-Y)), inherited from ancient times when the calendar was sanctified by witness in Jerusalem. [Rosh Hashanah](/glossary.xml#letter-R) is the exception: it is kept for two days in Israel as well, treated as one long day rather than as a hedge against doubt. [Yom Kippur](/glossary.xml#letter-Y), as a fast, was never doubled anywhere. [Reform](/glossary.xml#letter-R) and [Reconstructionist](/glossary.xml#letter-R) communities generally observe one day only, even in the diaspora. Conservative practice in the diaspora retains the second day, though increasingly Conservative congregations in some places have moved to one-day observance. Orthodox communities outside Israel observe a second day of the major festivals (Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot), inherited from ancient times when the calendar was sanctified by witness in Jerusalem. Rosh Hashanah is the exception: it is kept for two days in Israel as well, treated as one long day rather than as a hedge against doubt. Yom Kippur, as a fast, was never doubled anywhere. Reform and Reconstructionist communities generally observe one day only, even in the diaspora. Conservative practice in the diaspora retains the second day, though increasingly Conservative congregations in some places have moved to one-day observance. heading Sources Sources paragraph Torah: [Vayikra 23](https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.23); [Devarim](/glossary.xml#letter-D) 16; [Shemot 12](https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.12). Torah: Vayikra 23; Devarim 16; Shemot 12. paragraph [Mishnah Rosh Hashanah, Sukkah, Megillah, Ta’anit](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Rosh_Hashanah). Mishnah Rosh Hashanah, Sukkah, Megillah, Ta’anit. paragraph [Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg](/glossary.xml#letter-R), The Jewish Way: Living the Holidays. Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, The Jewish Way: Living the Holidays. paragraph [Do Reform Jews Celebrate One or Two Days of Rosh HaShanah?](https://reformjudaism.org/learning/answers-jewish-questions/do-reform-jews-celebrate-one-or-two-days-rosh-hashanah) — ReformJudaism.org. Do Reform Jews Celebrate One or Two Days of Rosh HaShanah? — ReformJudaism.org. paragraph [Why Rosh Hashanah Is Two Days](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4381/jewish/Why-Rosh-Hashanah-Is-Two-Days.htm) — Chabad.org. Why Rosh Hashanah Is Two Days — Chabad.org. paragraph [Beitzah 4b (William Davidson Talmud)](https://www.sefaria.org/Beitzah.4b) — Sefaria. Beitzah 4b (William Davidson Talmud) — Sefaria. paragraph [Rosh Hashanah 18.b](https://steinsaltz-center.org/portal/library/Talmud/Rosh%20Hashanah/chapter/18.b) — Steinsaltz Center. Rosh Hashanah 18.b — Steinsaltz Center. heading Further Reading Further Reading paragraph See the Holidays chapter of this guide for the full treatment of each. See the Holidays chapter of this guide for the full treatment of each. where-to-start-finding-a-rabbi Finding a Rabbi /articles/where-to-start-finding-a-rabbi.xml calendar-how-the-jewish-calendar-works How the Jewish Calendar Works essential /articles/calendar-how-the-jewish-calendar-works.xml calendar-the-parshah-cycle The Parshah Cycle essential /articles/calendar-the-parshah-cycle.xml calendar-counting-the-omer-sefirat-haomer Counting the Omer (Sefirat HaOmer) essential /articles/calendar-counting-the-omer-sefirat-haomer.xml Devarim דְּבָרִים The fifth book of the Torah — Deuteronomy — consisting of Moshe's farewell addresses. The name means 'words.' Hanukkah חֲנֻכָּה The eight-day winter festival of lights, commemorating the Maccabees' rededication of the Temple and the oil that burned for eight days. Its central mitzvah is lighting the hanukkiah each night. holidays-rabbinic-festivals-hanukkah Orthodox Judaism Orthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations. how-to-use-this-field-guide Pesach פֶּסַח Passover — the spring festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, observed with the seder meal, matzah, and the removal of chametz from the home. holidays-shalosh-regalim-pesach Purim פּוּרִים The joyous festival celebrating the rescue of Persian Jewry recounted in the book of Esther, observed with the Megillah reading, gifts of food, gifts to the poor, and a festive meal. holidays-rabbinic-festivals-purim Rabbi Yitz Greenberg Rabbi Irving 'Yitz' Greenberg (b. 1933), a Modern Orthodox rabbi and Holocaust theologian known for the principle that no Jewish theological statement should be made that would not be credible in the presence of burning children; author of The Jewish Way. holidays-modern-observances-yom-hashoah Reconstructionist Judaism Founded by Mordecai Kaplan, Reconstructionist Judaism understands Judaism as an evolving religious civilization rather than a fixed set of supernatural commandments, and was an early adopter of patrilineal descent and full gender egalitarianism. how-to-use-this-field-guide Reform Judaism Reform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis. how-to-use-this-field-guide Rosh Hashanah רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה The Jewish New Year, observed on the 1st and 2nd of Tishrei with the sounding of the shofar; it opens the Ten Days of Repentance that culminate in Yom Kippur. holidays-yamim-noraim-rosh-hashanah Shalosh Regalim שָׁלוֹשׁ רְגָלִים The three pilgrimage festivals — Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot — on which Israelites once traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem. Shavuot שָׁבוּעוֹת The early-summer festival marking the giving of the Torah at Sinai, arriving at the end of the seven-week count from Pesach; customs include all-night study and dairy foods. holidays-shalosh-regalim-shavuot Simchat Torah שמחת תורה 'The joy of the Torah' — the festival on which the annual Torah-reading cycle is completed and immediately begun again, celebrated with seven circuits of dancing with the scrolls. holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah Sukkot סוכות The autumn Festival of Booths, one of the three pilgrimage festivals — seven days of dwelling in the sukkah and waving the four species, in 'the season of our joy.' holidays-shalosh-regalim-sukkot Ta'anit Esther תענית אסתר The Fast of Esther, observed from dawn to nightfall on the day before Purim, recalling the fasting of Esther and the Jews of Persia before she approached the king. holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts Tammuz תמוז The fourth month of the Jewish calendar, in midsummer; the fast of the 17th of Tammuz mourns the breach of Jerusalem's walls. Tevet טבת The tenth month of the Jewish calendar, in midwinter; Hanukkah ends in early Tevet, and the fast of the 10th of Tevet recalls the siege of Jerusalem. Tisha B'Av תשעה באב The 9th of Av — the year's major day of mourning, a full fast commemorating the destruction of both Temples and other catastrophes; Eichah (Lamentations) is read by candlelight. holidays-fasts-tisha-bav Torah תּוֹרָה The Five Books of Moses — the scroll at the center of Jewish life — and, more broadly, the whole of Jewish teaching. 'Learning Torah' can mean anything from Chumash to Talmud. Tzom Gedaliah צום גדליה The Fast of Gedaliah, observed the day after Rosh Hashanah, mourning the assassination of Gedaliah ben Achikam, the governor of Judah after the First Temple's destruction. holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts Yamim Noraim ימים נוראים The 'Days of Awe' — Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the ten days of repentance that join them, the most solemn stretch of the Jewish year. Yom HaAtzmaut יום העצמאות Israel's Independence Day (5 Iyar), celebrating the establishment of the State in 1948; many communities mark it with festive prayer, including Hallel. holidays-modern-observances-yom-hazikaron-and-yom-haatzmaut Yom HaShoah יום השואה Holocaust Remembrance Day (27 Nisan) — formally Yom HaZikaron LaShoah V'LaGevurah, 'Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day' — marked by sirens and silence in Israel and memorial gatherings worldwide. holidays-modern-observances-yom-hashoah Yom HaZikaron יום הזיכרון Israel's Memorial Day (4 Iyar) for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, observed the day before Yom HaAtzmaut — grief deliberately giving way to celebration. holidays-modern-observances-yom-hazikaron-and-yom-haatzmaut Yom Kippur יום כיפור The Day of Atonement — the holiest day of the Jewish year, a 25-hour fast devoted to prayer, confession, and repair of one's relationships with God and with other people. holidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippur Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot יום טוב שני של גלויות 'The second festival day of the diaspora' — the extra day of Yom Tov kept outside the Land of Israel, a legacy of the era when the new moon was fixed by witnesses and word traveled slowly. Yom Yerushalayim יום ירושלים Jerusalem Day (28 Iyar), commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967, when the Old City and the Western Wall returned to Jewish hands. holidays-modern-observances-yom-yerushalayim megillah מְגִלָּה A scroll — most famously the Megillah, the scroll of Esther read aloud on Purim; the Five Megillot are the biblical scrolls read across the holiday cycle. going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillot parent Sacred Time /sections/sacred-time.xml related Finding a Rabbi /articles/where-to-start-finding-a-rabbi.xml related How the Jewish Calendar Works /articles/calendar-how-the-jewish-calendar-works.xml related The Parshah Cycle /articles/calendar-the-parshah-cycle.xml related Counting the Omer (Sefirat HaOmer) /articles/calendar-counting-the-omer-sefirat-haomer.xml