Planning ahead for the upcoming year? Knowing the dates of major Jewish holidays is essential for many individuals and families. This comprehensive guide provides the dates for the major Jewish holidays in 2025, along with a brief description of each to help you understand their significance. Please note that these dates are based on the Hebrew calendar and may vary slightly depending on the community and tradition. Always consult a reliable Jewish calendar for the most precise dates in your specific location.
Rosh Hashanah 2025: The Jewish New Year
Dates: September 18th - 20th, 2025
Rosh Hashanah, meaning "head of the year," marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days. It's a time of reflection, repentance, and making amends. Celebrations typically include special prayers, the blowing of the shofar (ram's horn), festive meals, and apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year. This is a time for introspection and setting intentions for the year ahead.
Yom Kippur 2025: The Day of Atonement
Dates: September 27th - 28th, 2025
Yom Kippur, falling ten days after Rosh Hashanah, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It's a day of fasting, prayer, and repentance. Observant Jews abstain from food and drink for approximately 25 hours, dedicating the time to prayer, introspection, and seeking forgiveness for transgressions. The services are long and meaningful, culminating in the Ne'ilah service at sunset, a poignant conclusion to the Day of Atonement.
Sukkot 2025: The Feast of Tabernacles
Dates: October 4th - 11th, 2025
Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, commemorates the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. It's a harvest festival where families build and dwell in temporary huts called sukkahs. The sukkah symbolizes the temporary shelters used by the Israelites. Celebrations include special prayers, festive meals eaten in the sukkah, and the waving of the lulav (palm branch) and etrog (citron).
Shemini Atzeret 2025
Dates: October 11th, 2025
Shemini Atzeret, meaning "the eighth day of assembly," is celebrated immediately following Sukkot. It is a day of continued rejoicing and thanksgiving, often viewed as a conclusion to the harvest festivals. Some traditions consider it an independent holiday, while others see it as an extension of Sukkot.
Simchat Torah 2025: Rejoicing in the Torah
Dates: October 12th, 2025
Simchat Torah, meaning "Rejoicing in the Torah," is celebrated on the day following Shemini Atzeret. It marks the culmination of the annual cycle of Torah reading. Synagogues complete the reading of the entire Torah and immediately begin the cycle again. The celebrations are joyous and often include dancing with the Torah scrolls.
Passover (Pesach) 2025
Dates: April 8th - 16th, 2025
Passover commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. The eight-day festival is observed with a Seder, a ritual meal featuring symbolic foods that tell the story of the Exodus. Matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten throughout the holiday as a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt.
Shavuot 2025: The Feast of Weeks
Dates: June 5th - 6th, 2025
Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks, commemorates the giving of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai. It's a harvest festival, often associated with dairy products. Celebrations include reading from the Book of Ruth, attending special services, and enjoying dairy-based foods.
This guide provides a general overview. For precise times and local customs, consult your local synagogue or a reliable Jewish calendar. Chag Sameach! (Happy Holiday!)
