Major holidays – 2018
Holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the date specified.
Dates in bold are yom tov, so they have similar obligations and restrictions to Shabbat in the sense that normal “work” is forbidden.
| Holiday | Dates | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Purim | Th | Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar |
| Pesach | – Sa‑Su – M‑Th – F‑Sa |
Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread |
| Shavuot | – Su‑M | Festival of Weeks, commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai |
| Tish’a B’Av | Su | The Ninth of Av, fast commemorating the destruction of the two Temples |
| Rosh Hashana | – M‑Tu | The Jewish New Year |
| Yom Kippur | W | Day of Atonement |
| Sukkot | – M‑Tu – W‑Su |
Feast of Tabernacles |
| Shmini Atzeret | M | Eighth Day of Assembly |
| Simchat Torah | Tu | Day of Celebrating the Torah |
| Chanukah | – M‑M | The Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the Festival of Lights |
Minor holidays
| Holiday | Dates | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tu BiShvat | W | New Year for Trees |
| Shushan Purim | F | Purim celebrated in Jerusalem and walled cities |
| Pesach Sheni | Su | Second Passover, one month after Passover |
| Lag BaOmer | Th | 33rd day of counting the Omer |
| Tu B’Av | F | Jewish holiday of love, similar to Valentine’s Day |
| Leil Selichot | Sep 1 Sa | Prayers for forgiveness in preparation for the High Holidays |
Modern holidays
| Holiday | Dates | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Yom HaShoah | Th | Holocaust Memorial Day |
| Yom HaZikaron | W | Israeli Memorial Day |
| Yom HaAtzma’ut | Th | Israeli Independence Day |
| Yom Yerushalayim | Su | Jerusalem Day |
| Yom HaAliyah | Tu | Recognizes Aliyah, immigration to the Jewish State of Israel |