Topical Encyclopedia The Hebrew calendar, also known as the Jewish calendar, is a lunisolar calendar used by the Jewish people since ancient times. It is deeply rooted in biblical tradition and plays a significant role in the religious and cultural life of the Jewish community. The calendar is based on both lunar months and solar years, ensuring that the festivals and agricultural seasons align with the appropriate times of the year.Biblical Foundation The Hebrew calendar is implicitly referenced in the Bible, where the timing of festivals and events is often linked to specific months. For example, the Passover is celebrated in the first month of the Hebrew calendar, known as Nisan. In Exodus 12:2 , God instructs Moses and Aaron, "This month is to be the beginning of months for you; it is the first month of your year." This establishes Nisan as the starting point of the religious calendar. The Hebrew calendar is also evident in the observance of the Sabbath and the Jubilee year. Leviticus 23 outlines the appointed feasts of the Lord, which are to be proclaimed as sacred assemblies. These include the Sabbath, Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Structure and Components The Hebrew calendar consists of 12 months in a common year and 13 months in a leap year. The months are based on the lunar cycle, with each month beginning with the new moon. The months are as follows: Nisan, Iyar, Sivan, Tammuz, Av, Elul, Tishrei, Cheshvan, Kislev, Tevet, Shevat, and Adar. In a leap year, an additional month, Adar II, is added to ensure the calendar remains aligned with the solar year. The Hebrew calendar's leap year cycle follows a 19-year Metonic cycle, in which 7 out of the 19 years are leap years. This adjustment helps synchronize the lunar months with the solar year, preventing the drift of the festivals across the seasons. Significance in Worship and Festivals The Hebrew calendar is central to the observance of Jewish festivals and holy days, which are commanded in the Torah. These festivals are not only times of worship and remembrance but also serve as a means of teaching and reinforcing the history and faith of the Jewish people. The Passover (Pesach) commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt and is celebrated on the 14th day of Nisan. The Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) occurs seven weeks after Passover, marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is observed in the seventh month, Tishrei, and is a time of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the harvest. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), also in Tishrei, is a solemn day of fasting and repentance. Leviticus 16:29-31 describes it as a day of rest and affliction of the soul, a statute to be observed forever. Historical and Modern Usage Historically, the Hebrew calendar was determined by direct observation of the moon and the agricultural cycle. The Sanhedrin, the ancient Jewish court, played a role in declaring the new month based on these observations. In the 4th century CE, the fixed calendar was established by Hillel II, which allowed for the calculation of dates without direct observation. Today, the Hebrew calendar is used not only for religious purposes but also for cultural and national events in Israel. It remains a vital part of Jewish identity, connecting the Jewish people to their biblical heritage and the land of Israel. The Hebrew calendar's intricate design reflects the biblical mandate to observe times and seasons, as seen in Genesis 1:14 : "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years.'" This divine order underscores the calendar's role in the rhythm of worship and life for the Jewish people. Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia Hebrew Calendar
Strong's Hebrew 945. Bul -- the eighth month of the Jewish calendar... Definition the eighth month of the Jewish calendar NASB Word Usage Bul (1). Bul. The same as buwl (in the sense of rain); Bul, the eighth Hebrew month -- Bul. ... /hebrew/945.htm - 6k 388. Ethanim -- (month of) "steady flowings," the seventh month in ... 143. Adar -- the twelfth month in the Jewish calendar 2099. Ziv -- the second month of the Jewish calendar 144. Adar -- the twelfth month in the Jewish calendar Library Syriac Calendar. The Man Sent Ahead. Prefaces to the Commentaries on the Minor Prophets. Relation of the Pharisees to the Sadducees and Essenes, and to the ... Three Keys. Numbers Introduction. Watching the Horizon The Jewish World in the Days of Christ - the Jewish Dispersion in ... Valentine Weigel and Nature Mysticism Resources Is it important to know Greek and Hebrew when studying the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIs Yeshua Hamashiach the proper Hebrew name/title for Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.org What is synthetic parallelism in Hebrew poetry? | GotQuestions.org Hebrew: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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