Purim

On the 21st March 2024, Jewish people all over the world will be partaking in the ‘Fast of Esther’ that precedes the celebration of the holiday of ‘Purim’.

‘Purim’, which this year begins on the evening of the 23rd March, corresponding to the 13th day of the Hebrew month of ‘Adar’, could be called the happiest holiday of the year for Jewish people. It is a time for giving to the poor, exchanging gifts with family and friends, dressing up in fancy dress, and generally a time for rejoicing.

Hanukkah

During the four hundred ‘silent years’ between the Old and New Testaments, events occurred which could threaten to destroy the Jewish people and Israel. However, the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was not about to let His people and the Messianic line be destroyed…

On the evening of the 7th December 2023, corresponding to the 24th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, Jews all over the world will begin celebrating the Festival of Lights (also known as the Feast of Dedication), known in Hebrew as ‘Hanukkah’ which is the Hebrew term for dedication. ‘Hanukkah’ is celebrated to commemorate the victory of the Jews over the Hellenist Syrians in 165 BCE.

Sukkoth

“...On the fifteenth day of the seventh month is the Festival of Sukkoth, seven days for the Lord.” - Leviticus 23:34

At sunset on the 29th September 2023, corresponding to the 14th day of the Hebrew month of ‘Tishrei’, Jews all over the world will begin celebrating the festival of ‘Sukkoth’.
‘Sukkoth’ begins the fifth day after ‘Yom Kippur’, and it is quite a drastic transition, from one of the most solemn holidays in the Jewish year to one of the most joyous. ‘Sukkoth’ is so unreservedly joyful that it is commonly referred to in Jewish prayer and literature as ‘Z'man Simchateinu’, the ‘Season of our Rejoicing’.

Yom Kippur

“...In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and you shall not do any work ... For on that day he shall provide atonement for you to cleanse you from all your sins before the Lord.”- Leviticus 16:29-30

Just before sunset on the 24th September 2023, corresponding to the 9th day of the Hebrew month of ‘Tishrei’, Jewish people the world over will begin a 26 hour fast to usher in ‘Yom Kippur’.
‘Yom Kippur’ is the most important holiday of the Jewish year.

Rosh Hashanah

At sunset on the 15th September 2023, corresponding to the last day of the Hebrew month of ‘Elul’, Jewish people all over the world will begin celebrating ‘Rosh Hashanah’, the Jewish New Year which falls on the first day of the Hebrew month of ‘Tishrei’.

‘Rosh Hashanah’ literally means ‘head of the year’; it is observed on the first day of ‘Tishrei’ as ordained in the ‘Torah’, in Leviticus 23:24: ”Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ’In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation’”.