Jewish Calendar 101 January - March 2022 | Tevet - Nissan 5782* * Holidays begin at sundown on the evening before and conclude at sundown on the noted day.
Purim
Tu B'Shevat
January 17 | 15 Shevat
Also known as the New Year of the Trees because it was used for calculating the age of trees for tithing. The Torah teaches that fruit from a tree may not be eaten during the first three years; the fourth year’s fruit is for G-d, and after this, the fruit can be eaten. It is customary to eat a new fruit on this holiday or to eat from the Seven Species (shivat haminim) that are abundant in Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. Some people also plant trees on this day. Tu B’Shevat began as a minor holiday marked by a festive meal and it has grown into the a modern Jewish Earth Day. It is an opportunity to celebrate our sense of environmental responsibility and Jewish tradition. Come celebrate this holiday at the JCC. See details on page 27.
Fast of Esther March 16 | 13 Adar II
This fast, also called Ta’anit Esther, is a fast from dawn until dusk on Purim eve, commemorating the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim.
March 17 | 14 Adar II
This jolly festivity commemorates the defeat of Haman’s plot, the prime minister of King Ahasuerus of the Persian Empire. During 357 BCE, Haman planned to massacre the Jews, as recorded in the book of Esther in the Torah. The Jews were saved by the heroic Queen Esther, who married the king. When Ahasueros discovers that his wife Esther is Jewish, he decides to reverse Haman’s decree, and instead of the Jews being killed, Haman, his sons, and other enemies are killed instead. We celebrate dressing up in costume, some people choose to dress as characters from the Purim story. It is a mitzvah (commandment) to listen to the story of Purim – chanted from Megillat Esther (The Scroll of Esther). We also send mishloach manot, packages of treats and goodies to friends, family, and people in need. A traditional cookie called hamentaschen is enjoyed, which our Golden Age (seniors) group at the JCC bake every year!
Shushan Purim March 18 | 15 Adar II
The battles fought between the Jews and their enemies throughout the Persian empire took place on Adar 13. The Jews rested and celebrated the victory on the following day – Adar 14. In the capital of the empire, the city of Shushan, however, there were a greater number of Jew-haters, so the fighting continued for two days: 13 and 14 Adar. The victory celebrations in Shushan were thus held on 15 Adar.
Sources: myjewishlearning.org and chabad.org.
