HOLIDAYS AT THE KIEVER
HOLIDAYS 2006 - 2007


Shabbat
 From Friday Sundown To Saturday Sundown.
Every Week of the Year Shabbat is one of the foundations, if not the foundation, of Jewish life. Its observance has protected and inspired the Jew throughout history and has influenced, in some degree or another, all of civilization. It is based on two fundamental premises:
  • 1. G-d created the world in six "days" and "rested" on the seventh "day."
  • 2. G-d intervened in history to take the Jewish People out of the bodage of slavery in Egypt.
    All else of Shabbat law: perhaps, in a sense, all of Torah law as well, and understanding of the Jewish soul, follow from the avobe premises.
    Work Restrictions: Thirty-nine Biblical categories of "melachah" very loosly defined as "work," and Rabbinical extensions.

    • Chanukah

    24 Kislev - 2 Tevet
    (December 16-23, 2006)

    The Holiday of Lights
    Celebration of the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem to holy services by the Maccabees after their successful struggle for the independence and religious freedom against the Syrians (2nd century B.C.E.). Commemorated by lighting candles during each night.It is a tradition for the children to rejoice in the playing with the Dreidle and the eating of Latkes (Potato pancakes) with lots of sugar). As a custom this is a holiday to be spent in family as each member of the family is supposed to light of the candles each night in order of hierarchy.
    Work Restrictions: Tradition limits work only during the time that the Chanukah candles are lit.


    Rosh Chodesh Tevet
    ,
    (December 21 - 22, 2006)
    A Month of Anguish
    On the 10th - Asarah Be'Tevet- Fast begins at the first morning light. Commenmorates the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (7th century B.C.E.)
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work

    Asarah B'Tevet

    (December 31, 2006)
    Fast day that begins at the first light and ends at dusk. Commemorates the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (Early 6th century B.C.E.). In the modern State of Israel, Kadish (the jewish prayer for the deceased)is recited on this day for people whose date or place of death is unknown. Consequently, many rabbis have designated it as the day of remembrance for the Holocaust.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work
    Tu B'Shevat

    15 Shevat
    (February 3,2007)
    Jewish Arbor Day
    Celebration of new fruits and the land of Israel. No eulogies or daily prayers of mourning said. Some add special services.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.


    Rosh Chodesh Adar I
    Shevat 30 - Adar I

    (February 18-19,2007)
    "When Adar comes, joy increases" mainly because of the presence in the month of Purim, the festival created by the Jewish People to commemorate their salvation by G-d. The Master of the "Hidden Miracle" used coincidence and "fortuitous" timing, plus the "assistance" of Esther and Mordechai, to overthrow Haman, a high government official in ancient Persia. "He would have murdered all the Jews, though they were not to blame, sir!" (from children's Purim song).

    Fast of Esther
    13 Adar
    (March 1,2007)
    Fast begins at first morning light. Commemorates the fast of Queen Esther in order to save the Jewish people of ancient Persia (Late 6th century B.C.E.), and the subsequent victory of the Jewish people over their enemies.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.
    Purim

    14 Adar
     (March 4, 2007)

    Commemorates the rescue of the Jewish people in ancient Persia (Late 6th century B.C.E.). Celebrated with feasts, special prayers, reading of the Book of Esther, the sending of gifts from fried to friend, and extra charity.
    Work Restrictions: Limited restrictions on work.

    Shushan Purim

    15 Adar
    (March 5, 2007)

    Purim in the cities sorounded by walls in the days of Joshua, such as Jerusalem.
    Work Restrictions: Limited restrictions on work.


    Rosh Chodesh Nisan
    (March 20, 2007)
    The first commandment given by G-d to the Jewish People was to establish the beginning of the Month of Nisan (which wasn't yet called "Nisan" but, rather, the First Month). Until now, the Calendar was, so to speak, in G-d's hands. From this point on, The Hebrew Calendar was placed in the hands of the Jewish People.
    Chodesh Nisan
    The Month of Nisan
    (March 20 - April 17, 2007)
    "Hashem said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 'This month shall be for you he beginning of the months; it shall be for you the first of the months of the year.'"(Exodus, 12:1-2) Nisan is the Month of Redemption, because it is the month in which the Exodus took place around 3,300 B.C.E., at which time the Jewish People were redeemed from Slavery in Egypt. This event, in which the Bible records (Exodus, 1-15) G-d's intervention in human history in behalf of the oppressed Children of Israel, constituted the physical birth of the Jewish Nation.

    Passover
    15 - 21 Nisan
    (15 - 22 in Diaspora)
    Israel: April 3 - April 9, 2007
    Diaspora April 3 - April 10, 2007
    Commemorates the Exodus of the Jewish people from ancient Egypt. Special dietary restrictions beginning the morning of the morning of thwe previous day. No foods containing fermented grain products - Chametz - may be consumed or found in any Jewish household. Special Family meal - the "Seder" conducted during the first evening in Israel and the first 2 evenings in the Diaspora. Memorial (Yizkor) services are said on the 7th day in Israel and 8th day in Diaspora.
    Work Restrictions: Israel: Sabbath like restrictions on the first and last days (15 & 21 Nisan). Non-essential work activities or crafts prohibited during other days.
    Diaspora: Sabbath like restrictions on the first 2 and last 2 days (15&16 & 21&22 Nisan). Non-essential work activities or crafts prohibited during other days.

    Yom Hashoa
    27 Nisan
    (April 15, 2007)
    Holocaust Memorial Day
    Special memorial prayers are said.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

    Rosh Chodesh Iyar
    30 Nisan - 1 Iyar
    (April 18 - 19, 2007)
    This Rosh Chodesh always consists of two days, because Nisan, which preceeds Iyar, is always "full," that is, it always consists of thirty days, and the first day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar is 30 Nisan.
    Work Restrictions: Limited restrictions on work.

    Chodesh Iyar
    (april 19 - May 17, 2007)
    This month, always "diminished: that is, comprised of of twenty-nine days, never the less contains the bulk of the forty-nine Sefirat HaOmer days. It also contains the special days listed below, adopted by the ancient tradition or by traditions adopted our People in responce to the events in our time. It is intimately related, as well, with the special day which occurs at the end of Nisan. These days, at the end of Nisan and Iyar, are days of inmense sadness and joy.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

    Yom Hazikaron Lechalalei Ma'arachot Yisrael
    4 Iyar
    (April 22, 2007)
    Israel Defense Forces Memorial Day
    Special memorial prayers are said
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

    Yom HaAztmaut
    5 Iyar
    (April 23, 2007)
    Israel Independence Day
    Many add special thanksgiving prayers and celebratory feast.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.
    Rabbi Akiva on the left

    Lag BaOmer
    18 Iyar
    (ay 6, 2007)
    Break in the mourning period for the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva (2nd century). Only day in 49 day period when weddings permitted.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

    Yom Yerushalayim

    28 Iyar
    (May 16, 2007)
    Jerusalem Reunification Day
    Many add special thanksgiving prayers and celebratory feast.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

    Rosh Chodesh Sivan
    1 Sivan
    (May 18, 2007)
    "In the third month after the Exodus of the Jewish People from Egypt, on that very day, they came to the Desert of Sinai" (Exodus 19:1) Jewish Tradition says that "that very day" refers to Rosh Chodesh Sivan. This Rosh Chodesh always consists of just one day because Iyar, the preceding month is always categorized, calendar wise, as "missing," that is, it consists of just twenty-nine days. Sivan itself, however, is always "full," that is, it always consists of the full complement of thirty days.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

    Chodesh Sivan

    1 Sivan - 30 Sivan
    (May 18 - June 16, 2007)
    This month has the great priviledge of being the month in which the People of Israel recieved the Torah at the foot of Mount Sinai, perhaps the greatest event in the History of the Jewish People and of the World History, which is commemorated on the Festival of Shavuot, the "Day of the Giving of the Torah."
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

    Shavuot
    Israel: 6 Sivan
    Diaspora: 6 - 7 Sivan
    Israel: May 23, 2007
    Diaspora: May 23 - 24, 2007
    Moses Receives The Torah (Pentecost)
    Celebrating G-d's giving of the Torah and Ten Commandments to the Jews at Mt. Sinai. Memorial (Yizkor) services said (on 2nd day in Diaspora)
    Work Restrictions: Sabbath like work restrictions one day in Israel and two days in the Diaspora.
    Rosh Chodesh Tammuz

    30 Sivan - 1 Tammuz
    (June 16 - 17, 2007)
    Rosh Chodesh Tammuz is always two days, because the preceding month, Sivan, is always "malei," or "full;" that is, always contains 30 days. This first day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz is the 30th day of Sivan, and the second days of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz is the first of Tammuz.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.
    Chodesh Tammuz

    1 - 29 Tammuz
    (June 17 - July 15, 2007)
    This month is always "chaser," or "diminished," that is, it always contains only 29 days. Therefore, the Rosh chodesh of the following month, Av, is just one day, the first of Av.

    This month Tammuz, followed by Av, contain the three week period known as " Bein-Ha-Metzarim," "in the straits" of trouble between the Jewish People and G-d. Many tragedies occured in this month, which led to still greater tragedies in the next month. But our hope and belief is that ultimately, this will become a time of joy and redemption for the Jewish People.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

    Fast of Shiva Asar B'Tammuz

    17 Tammuz
    (July 3, 2007>
    Fast Day Lamenting Breach of Jerusalem Walls
    Fast begins at the first morning light. Commemorates the breach of the walls of Jerusalem by the besieging ancient Romans(1st century C.E.)Start of three week period during which weddings and celebrations are forbidden
    Work Restrictions: No restricitions on work.

    Rosh Chodesh Av

    1 Av
    (July 16, 2007)
    Rosh Chodesh Av is always just one day, because the preceding month, Tammuz, is always "chaser," diminished; that is, it only contains twenty-nine days. The month of Av, on the other hand, is always "malei," full; that is, it always contains thirty days.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

    Chodesh Av
    1 Av - 30 Av
    (July 16 - August 14, 2007)
    "Chodesh Av," the Month of Av, contains the saddest day in the Hebrew Calendar, the Ninth of Av, a day in which too many tragedies have befallen our People for just to be an accident. In Megillat Eichah, the Prophet Jeremiah's lamentation over the destruction of Jerusalem, its Temple and its People, this day is called a "Moed" in the sense of a day marked for tragedy.

    We pray that, in our time of blossoming religous life in the land of Israel and around the world, we are living in the time that "Tisha B'Av" will become a "Moed," a "joyous festival," in the classic, joyful sense of the word, and we will shortly see the fulfillment of the erse "They are new every morning; great is is your faithfulness."(Eichah 3:23)
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

    Fast of Tisha B'Av
    9 Av
    (July 24, 2007)
    Fast Day Lamenting estruction of Temples
    Fast begins prior to sunset and comcludes at sunset of next day. Anniversary of the destruction of both the First and Second Temple in Jerusalem, and the other Jewish tragedies. Climax of three week period mourning period and, within those weeks, of a more intense nine day mourning period. Special mourning customs and prayers.
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

    Elul

    (August 24 - September 22, 2006)
    The month of repetance and personal reflection.
    Work Restrictions: Limited restrictions on work.
    Rosh HaShanah

    1 - 2 Tishrei
    (September 23 - 24, 2006)
    The Jewish New Year Day of Judgement the entire world. Extended, special synagogue services and blowing of the ram's horn "Shofar." Start of Ten days of Repetance.
    Work Restrictions:Sabbath like work restrictions both days in Israel and in the Diaspora.
    Tzom Gedaliah

    3 Tishrei
    (September 25, 2006)
    Fast Lamenting The Expulsion From Israel
    Fast begins at the first morning light. Commemorates the assassination of Gedalya Ben Achikam, and the true start of Babilonian exile of the Jewish people (Early 6th century B.C.E.>
    Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

    Yom Kippur

    10 Tishrei
    (October 2, 2006)
    The Day of Atonement
    Fast day, beginning prior to sunset on the previous day. Day long synagogue services, with many special prayers, including Kol Nidre, N'eela, and Memorial(Yizkor) services.
    Work Restrictions: All Sabbath like work restrictions, with no exceptions for cooking etc. as on Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, Passover and Shavuot, where exceptions are made for food preparation and carrying. In addition, there are special restrictions against washing, applying oils, etc. to oneself, and wearing leather shoes.

    Sukkot
    15-21 Tishrei
    (October 7-12, 2006)
    The Tabenacles
    Commemorates the Jewish people's wandering in the desert. All meals must be eaten in special temporary hut-the "Sukkah." Rituals with four spices of plants - Lulav and Etrog - culminating special services on the seventh day "Hoshana Rabbah."
    Work Restrictions: Israel: Sabbath like restrictions on the first day. Non-essential work activities or crafts prohibited during other days.
    Diaspora: Sabbath like restrictions on the first two days. Non-essential work activities or crafts prohibited during other days.
    Hosha'anah Rabah

    21 Tishrei
    (October 13, 2006)
    The seventh nd last day of "Sukkot" culminates the observation of the Days of Awe as the day of the inal sealing of judgement, which began on Rosh Hashanah. Additional prayers and quest for epentance as on Yom Kippur are said in synagogue.
    Work Restrictions: Non-essential work activities or crafts prohibited

    Shmini Atzeret
    22 Tishrei
    (October 14, 2006)
    The Eighth Day f Assembly
    Culminates the celebration of renewal and thanksgiving and invokes our nticipation of the Messianic Age. Memorial (Yizkor) services are said in synagogue.
    Work Restrictions: Sabbath like work restrictions

    Simchat Torah
    Israel: 22 Tishrei
    (October 14, 2006)Diaspora: 23 Tishrei (October 15, 2006)
    Rejoicing of The Torah
    Special celebration of losing of the High Holidays season. Cycle of Biblical readings in synagogue completed and egun again in joyous celebration and festivity. Conbined with Shmini Atzeret in Israel into one day, celebrated as a second of two consecutive days in the Diaspora.
    Work Restrictions: Sabbath like work restrictions

     

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