Podcast
Questions and Answers
How is the Jewish calendar described in terms of its dependence on astronomical bodies?
How is the Jewish calendar described in terms of its dependence on astronomical bodies?
Luni-Solar
How was the difference between the solar year and the lunar year resolved in the Jewish calendar?
How was the difference between the solar year and the lunar year resolved in the Jewish calendar?
By adding a thirteenth month to the year (leap year)
In the early times of Jewish history, who was responsible for determining the beginning of each month and balancing the solar with the lunar years?
In the early times of Jewish history, who was responsible for determining the beginning of each month and balancing the solar with the lunar years?
The High Court (Sanhedrin) in Jerusalem
What was the reason for creating a fixed calendar in the fourth century after the Temple's destruction?
What was the reason for creating a fixed calendar in the fourth century after the Temple's destruction?
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What did the High Court rely on for determining the beginning of each month and the balancing of solar with lunar years?
What did the High Court rely on for determining the beginning of each month and the balancing of solar with lunar years?
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When does a Jewish day begin?
When does a Jewish day begin?
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How does a Jewish day differ from a day in the secular calendar?
How does a Jewish day differ from a day in the secular calendar?
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When does Shabbat begin according to the Jewish calendar?
When does Shabbat begin according to the Jewish calendar?
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What is the period from sunset until three stars are visible in the sky known as?
What is the period from sunset until three stars are visible in the sky known as?
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How long does the entire lunar cycle take?
How long does the entire lunar cycle take?
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What is the first month on the Jewish calendar?
What is the first month on the Jewish calendar?
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When does the year begin in the Jewish calendar?
When does the year begin in the Jewish calendar?
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Who was entrusted with the responsibility of consecrating the crescent new moon?
Who was entrusted with the responsibility of consecrating the crescent new moon?
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What did Hillel II establish in the 4th century CE?
What did Hillel II establish in the 4th century CE?
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What is the signal for a new Jewish month?
What is the signal for a new Jewish month?
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How long does the moon remain invisible in the lunar cycle?
How long does the moon remain invisible in the lunar cycle?
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What is the term for a month that is twenty-nine days long in the Jewish calendar?
What is the term for a month that is twenty-nine days long in the Jewish calendar?
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Study Notes
Jewish Calendar and Astronomical Bodies
- The Jewish calendar is lunisolar, reliant on both lunar months and the solar year.
- A lunar year consists of approximately 354 days, while a solar year is about 365 days.
- To reconcile the lunar and solar years, the Jewish calendar occasionally adds an extra month (Adar II) to ensure alignment with the seasons.
Historical Determination of the Calendar
- In early Jewish history, the Sanhedrin, or High Court, was responsible for declaring the start of each month based on observational methods.
- Balancing the lunar and solar years was vital for maintaining seasonal festivals, which are tied to agricultural cycles.
Fixed Calendar Development
- A fixed calendar was created in the fourth century CE, after the destruction of the Second Temple, to provide consistency and mitigate disputes regarding the calendar's observation.
Determination of Months and Years
- The High Court relied on visual sightings of the new moon to determine the beginning of each month and to align years.
Beginning of the Jewish Day
- A Jewish day begins at sunset, differing from the secular calendar, where a day starts at midnight.
Shabbat Timing
- Shabbat begins at sunset on Friday and continues until after three stars are visible in the sky on Saturday evening.
Lunar Cycle Duration
- The entire lunar cycle takes approximately 29.5 days.
- A month that consists of twenty-nine days in the Jewish calendar is referred to as a "deficient month" (Chaser).
Months and Year Start
- The first month of the Jewish calendar is Nisan, and the Jewish year begins in the month of Tishrei, with Rosh Hashanah marking the new year.
Responsibilities and Monthly Signals
- Hillel II established the fixed calendar system in the 4th century CE to ensure uniform observance across the Jewish community.
- The sighting of the crescent new moon serves as the traditional signal for the start of a new Jewish month.
Moon Visibility
- The moon remains invisible for a period at the beginning of the lunar cycle, contributing to the days when new moons are not seen.
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Description
Test your knowledge about how various astronomical phenomena have been used to establish the uniquely Jewish definitions for the day, hours, months, and years in the Jewish calendar.
