Curious about which Jewish holidays are the most celebrated in Israel and by the Jews around the world? Whether you are planning to visit Israel for a life-changing pilgrimage or checking out the biblical sites where events in the Bible occurred, it would be a more splendid visit when you join one of the festive and colorful Jewish holidays. These days are naturally marked on all Jewish calendars There are many Jewish holidays celebrated in Israel throughout the year, let’s check out the most celebrated ones that you can join so mark your calendars with the following Jewish holidays below.
Rosh Hashanah
This day literally means ‘the beginning of the year’ or the Jewish New Year. It is also a two-day celebration and is held based on the traditional anniversary of God’s creation of Adam and Eve. During this Jewish holiday, many families gather and eat challah bread and apples dipped in honey which is to evoke a ‘sweet new year’. Also during the day, religious poems are added to the regular services along with the blowing of the shofar.
Yom Kippur
Also known as the Day of Atonement, this day is considered the holiest day in Judaism where it focuses on atonement and repentance. The day is celebrated with fasting and prayer on the 10th of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, ten days after Rosh Hashanah. Yom Kippur is also the most culturally significant Jewish holiday wherein even secular Jews observe and attend synagogues.
Three Pilgrimage Festivals
(Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot)
The Three Pilgrimage Festivals consists of three different celebrations in different days of the year: the Pesach or Passover, the Shavuot or Weeks or Pentecost, and Sukkot or Tabernacles. These Jewish holidays are some of the most celebrated holidays in Israel and tourists can observe or be a part of it. The Passover celebrates the liberation of the Jewish people from Egypt as well as the beginning of a new planting season. Shavuot comes seven weeks after Pesach. Sukkot, on the other hand, falls five days after Yom Kippur and celebrates the wandering of the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. The conclusion of the Passover, which is on its seventh day, is the most festive Jewish holiday wherein special prayer services and feasts are held.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah usually falls around November or December and is also called the ‘Jewish Festival of Lights’. On this Jewish holiday, it remembers the rededication of the second Jewish Temple built in Jerusalem. During Hanukkah, a special menorah called ‘hanukkiyah’ is brought out wherein each night, a candle is lit for eight days. During Hanukkah, giving and receiving gifts is also practices adding a festive atmosphere throughout its celebration.
If you are planning to celebrate or observe one of these Jewish holidays, particularly if you plan to visit Israel, do note that the Jewish calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar that’s commonly used today. With that, Jewish holidays fall in different days in a year under the Gregorian and Lunar calendars. To help you follow and observe Jewish holidays, our calendars integrate both Jewish and Gregorian calendars in one system with all major Jewish and Israeli holidays marked with an extensive explanation. Furthermore, each month feature beautiful photos and artwork from our featured artists, check out Galilee Calendars here.