The Jewish calendar is based on the rotation of the Earth (daily event); the revolution of the moon around the earth (Lunar month / about every 29.5 days); and the revolution of the Earth around the sun (a solar year / about 365.25 days). These events are not directly related to each other. A solar year, therefore, is about 12.4 lunar months.
In the Jewish Calendar, all months begin on the new moon. Thus, each Jewish month has either 29 or 30 days. The problem with a strictly lunar calendar is that a 12-month lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than a solar year. Also, the months would cycle around the year, falling at different seasons of the year.
To compensate for this drift, the Jewish calendar uses a 12-month lunar calendar with an extra month added every few years. This allows all seasonal months, with their corresponding holidays, to always fall during the correct season. Chanukah, for example, begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. The 25th of Kislev always falls during the secular calendar month of December, but not always on the same secular calendar day.
Hillel II established the Jewish lunisolar calendar, which is still used to calculate Jewish holidays. Under this fixed calendar, which is based on mathematical and astronomical calculations, a 13th month is added 7 times in 19 years. The additional month is Adar II.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Chanukah
Chanukah is also known as the Festival of Lights. It is an 8-day festival that begins on the 25th day of Kislev in the Jewish calendar.
Although Chanukah is one of the better known Jewish holidays, it is not a biblical holiday. It has become widely celebrated, especially in the United States, due to its proximity to Christmas.
The origins of the holiday date back to about 166 BCE, when Israel was under Greek control. Many Jews were becoming assimilated into the Greek culture. Antiochus IV was the ruler of the area. Although up until this time, Jews had enjoyed relative freedom, Antiochus began to restrict Jewish practices. Jews were forbidden to practice their religion under threat of death. The Temple in Jerusalem was desecrated by allowing pigs to roam throughout it.
Mattathias the Hasmonean and his famous son, Judah the Maccabee, organized a revolutionary band to fight the Greek rule and to fight the rampant assimilation. Ultimately, they were successful. The Temple was rededicated to the worship of the Jewish tradition. Tradition has it that, during the rededication, there was only enough sacred oil to light the eternal lamp for 1 day, but it miraculously lasted for 8 days ~ long enough to sanctify fresh oil.
Although Chanukah is one of the better known Jewish holidays, it is not a biblical holiday. It has become widely celebrated, especially in the United States, due to its proximity to Christmas.
The origins of the holiday date back to about 166 BCE, when Israel was under Greek control. Many Jews were becoming assimilated into the Greek culture. Antiochus IV was the ruler of the area. Although up until this time, Jews had enjoyed relative freedom, Antiochus began to restrict Jewish practices. Jews were forbidden to practice their religion under threat of death. The Temple in Jerusalem was desecrated by allowing pigs to roam throughout it.
Mattathias the Hasmonean and his famous son, Judah the Maccabee, organized a revolutionary band to fight the Greek rule and to fight the rampant assimilation. Ultimately, they were successful. The Temple was rededicated to the worship of the Jewish tradition. Tradition has it that, during the rededication, there was only enough sacred oil to light the eternal lamp for 1 day, but it miraculously lasted for 8 days ~ long enough to sanctify fresh oil.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
