According to our Sages, each observance in the Jewish Calendar is significant and is not simply a memory of something past. They teach that each Festival and observance reveals a specific energy that was revealed in our world, to which we can connect each time the observance comes up in the calendar.
The purpose of this page is to explain the upcoming chagim (Festivals/Holidays) and their dates in the common calendar for the current year. We typically publish a new calendar after the beginning of the new Hebrew month. You can click on the CALENDAR button on the bottom of each festival to see the events for that Festival if the calendar is available.
With your tzedakah (donation) we can continue to provide meaningful services, studies, and share our Kabbalah4All Siddur with everyone. Your donation makes you a spiritual partner in our work. We thank you in advance for your generosity and support.
The first six Parashiyot (portions) of the book of Shemot (Exodus): Shemot, Va-era, Bo, Beshalach, Yitro and Mishpatim, tell us the story of the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and are the beginning of a unique cosmic opening that lasts six weeks every year. The word Shovavim means "wayward" like the verse: "Return, wayward children, says Hashem." (Jeremiah 3:14) and is an acronym made up of the first initial of each of the six weekly servings. Our Sages teach us that the Exodus story is a code and that during these six weeks (42 days) there is a cosmic opening for personal redemption. The Arizal explains that the fall of Adam corrupted almost everything in our physical world, resulting in human pain and suffering. During the time of the Exodus, Moshe and the Israelites corrected the most important aspects of this corruption. The time of Shovavim a particularly important time for extra teshuvah (return/repentance), tefilah (prayer), and tzedakah (charity). On the Shabbatot of Shovavim, many practice Ta-anit Dibur which is fasting from speaking except during prayers and reading Torah. Rabbi Ariel Bar Tzadok wrote, "This period is considered auspicious for fasting and the rectification of the sins of character weakness (most notably sexual sins).
Shovavim lasts for six weeks. During a Hebrew leap year, it lasts for eight weeks.
Work is permitted.
Tu BiShvat is also known as Rosh HaShanah La-Ilanot (New Year of the Trees). This holiday occurs on the 15th of Shevat and according to our Sages, this is the day when the sap begins to flow once more in the trees as they prepare to wake from their winter slumber. It is also the start of the agricultural cycle in Eretz Yisrael, and is a day dedicated to environmental awareness.
A special seder (meal) of fruits from various trees is held on the evening of Tu BiShvat.
Work is permitted.
Ta-anit Ester (the Fast of Esther) is a fast day which commemorates the fasting of our ancestors in response to the petitition made by Queen Esther, in the Megilat Ester, to fast and pray for three days for the salvation of the exiled Jewish people in the Persian Empire.
During Shacharit: Selichot follows Tachanun. One lays Tefillin during Minchah instead of Shacharit.
This fast begins at sunrise and ends at sunset.
Work is permitted.
The Festival of Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire from Haman's plot "to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day." It is a day of celebration, feasting, gifts of food, tzedakah and the reading of Megilat Ester.
During Shacharit: One lays Tefillin.
The reading of Megilat Ester must be heard twice on Purim, once in the evening and once in the morning.
Work is permitted.
The Mishkan was erected on Rosh Chodesh Nisan, and during the first twelve days the twelve leaders of the tribes brought their offering for the dedication of the Altar. Nisan is referred to as the "First of Months." Our Sages teach that each of the first twelve days connects us to each of the twelve months that follow. Each day there is a special Torah reading, prayers, and meditation. On the 13th day, we read the portion about the Menorah. On the 14th day, the sacrificial lamb for the Pesach offering was slaughtered and we have an observance on that day as an expression of our longing for the Beit Hamikdash to be rebuilt in our time. Each day we put aside three coins for tzedakah, which will equal 42 coins when we complete Day 14.
Pesach is the Festival of redemption and freedom and we remember it not just during Pesach, but also during every Shabbat and every other Festival throughout the entire year. Egypt and Pharaoh are symbols of the Evil Inclination of the nefesh level of our souls. Pesach reminds us of the powerful redemption from Egypt as we fulfill the mitzvah of the telling of the story of Pesach. Also this energy, which is available every Pesach, can assist us in securing freedom from our own selfish whims and fancies in our journey of transformation. Chametz (leaven) is a symbol of ego. During Pesach we eat Matzah which is known as "bread without ego." Matzah is not disquised in any way, we taste it for what it is, simply bread and water. It is the staple we eat during these days of Pesach as a reminder that freedom comes to those who let go of ego and allow the true self to take over.
Many Jewish communities in the Diaspora (outside of the land of Israel) follow an 8-day Festival schedule for the Festival of Pesach. Our community follows the 7 days commanded by Torah and as is custom in Eretz Yisrael.
Work is not permitted on the Festival (Days 1 and 7).
Work is permitted on Chol HaMoed (Days 2-6)
The Jewish people had descended to the 49th level of negativity while in Egypt and therefore were in need of salvation. It took the "mighty hand" of Hashem to save them. On the 2nd night of Pesach we begin a journey of 49 days, and upon the conclusion of those days, we arrive at the festival of Shavuot (literally weeks) which is Matan Torah (Giving of The Torah). Kabbalah teaches about 50 gates of negativity. Once the 50th gate is reached, there is no way back, the battle is lost. With the mitzvah of counting the 49 days, known as Sefirat Ha-Omer, we are invited on a journey into the human psyche, into the soul. There are seven basic emotions that make up the spectrum of human experience. At the root of all forms of enslavement, is a distortion of these emotions. Each of the seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuot is dedicated to examining and refining one of them. They help us materialize the Light into our physical world, by attaining our “surrounding Light” first, followed by the “inner Light.” This is the preparation for Shavuot.
Every night during the Period of the Omer, we will have an Arvit service followed by Sefirat HaOmer (Counting of The Omer) @ 8:30 PM EDT, with the exception of Saturday nights which will be according to the schedule of the upcoming Shabbat.
33rd day of Sefirat Ha-Omer. This holiday is also known as the nachalah (death anniversary) of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. According to Kabbalah, on the day of his death Rashbi revealed some of the deepest secrets of the Torah, which were later arranged as the Zohar. This day is considered to be the giving of the תורה נסתר Torat HaNistar (the Hidden Torah). There is a custom is to light bonfires to commemorate the death of Rabbi Shimon and also to remember the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva.
Tachanun is not recited on Lag Ba-Omer.
On the night of Lag Ba-Omer, we will have a special reading from the Idra Zuta following the Arvit service.
Shavuot is the Festival of Matan Torah which takes place exactly 50 days after Pesach. The word Shavuot literally means "weeks" and refers to the period of the Counting of The Omer that begins on the 2nd day of Pesach and concludes with the Festival of Shavuot. This Festival combines two major observances in Jewish life, the grain harvest of the early summer and the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Some of the special connections for Shavuot are Tikun Leil Shavuot and the reading of Megilat Ruth. It is minhag to eat dairy on Shavuot because the Hebrew word for milk חלב (Chalav) has a numerical value of 40, which are the days that Moses spent on Mount Sinai when he received the Torah, and because the Torah is compared to "nourishing milk."
Many Jewish communities in the Diaspora (outside of the land of Israel) follow a 2-day Festival schedule for the Festival of Shavuot. Our community follows the 1 day commanded by Torah and as is custom in Eretz Yisrael.
Work is not permitted on the Festival of Shavuot.
The 17th of Tammuz is one of the Arbah Ta-aniyot (Four Fasts) which commemorates five tragic events that befell the Jewish People: 1. Moses broke the first set of Tablets; 2. The Tamid Offering ceased; 3. Apostomos burned the holy Torah; 4. An idol was placed in the Beit HaMikdash; 5. The walls of Jerusalem were breached.
During Shacharit: Selichot follows Tachanun. One lays Tefillin during Minchah instead of Shacharit.
This fast begins at sunrise and ends at sunset.
Work is permitted.
The Yemei Bein HaMetzarim literally means "days between the straits". Also known as the Three Weeks, it is a time of introspection and mourning for the loss of the Temples. During this time we should keep in mind the idea of restricting our ego nature. We fast from red meat and wine (except on Shabbat) and we make a point of making extra time for meditation. Yemei Bein HaMetzarim begins with the 17th of Tammuz and ends on Tishah Be-Av. In the Final Redemption, our Sages teach that both these days will become Festival days, and the three weeks will become Chol HaMoed.
Tikun Rachel is said before Minchah each day except on Erev Rosh Chodesh Av and Rosh Chodesh Av.
During this time we refrain from listening to music, eating red meat, drinking red wine, wearing new garments, and festivities including weddings. Sephardic communities allow shaving and haircuts until the week of Tishah Be-Av.
Tishah Be-Av is the most tragic day in the Jewish calendar. It is a day of mourning and commemorates the day that both of the Holy Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. Some other tragic events include the day the spies returned from the Promised Land, the Bar Kochba revolt, in 1290 the expulsion of the Jews from England, and in 1492 the banishment of all Jews from Spain.
Torah study is forbidden except that which relates to the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash. Kinnot are recited at all services. One lays Tefillin during Minchah instead of Shacharit.
This fast begins at sunset the night before and ends after nightfall.
Work is not permitted on this day.
On the 2nd day of the month of Elul (Virgo) begins the period of Teshvuah (return/repentance) which leads up to Rosh HaShanah and Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe). In the Sephardic tradition, we begin Selichot on the 2nd day of Elul. Selichot gives us the opportunity to unite ourselves with the Creator's Light and with the consciousness of selichah סליחה, which means forgiveness. During the Selichot service we confront our past negative actions and ask for forgiveness. This is a vital preparation for Rosh HaShanah, the Days of Awe, and Yom Kippur. The best time to for Selichot is between midnight and dawn, for it is during this time that Divine mercy is available.
Selichot is said on all days except Shabbat.
Our congregation has a Selichot service each night at halachic midnight, except on Friday nights.
Rosh HaShanah is the Jewish New Year, and is a day of judgement for all of creation. Kabbalah teaches that the purpose of Rosh Hashanah is to receive all of the energy necessary to remove the blockages we have created through our negative actions during the last year.The services on Rosh Hashanah give us the opportunity to restore ourselves and the world to the Tree of Life reality. The Shofar is a tool which is used to dissolve all blockages of negative energy we have created in the previous twelve months.
Work is not permitted on both days of Rosh HaShanah
The 3rd of Tishrei is one of the Arbah Ta-aniyot (Four Fasts) which is a fast day mourning the assassination of the Jewish royal Gedalyah ben Achikam, governor of Eretz Yisrael for a short period after the destruction of the First Beit HaMikdash.
During Shacharit: Selichot follows Tachanun. One lays Tefillin during Minchah instead of Shacharit.
This fast begins at sunrise and ends at sunset.
Work is permitted.
Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year. It is a day which includes a 26-hour fast and seeking forgiveness for our past negativity through Selichot, which takes after each Amidah of Yom Kippur. It is the peak of the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe, also known as the High Holy Days).
This fast begins at sunset the night before and ends after nightfall at the end of the Neilah Service following Havdalah and Birkat HaLevanah.
Work is not permitted on this day.
According to Kabbalah, Sukkot is a taste of the Mashiach, it is about the joy of turning darkness into light and bitterness into sweetness. The Zohar says that Sukkot is connected to the left column of the Tree of Life, which is the desire to receive. During Elul and Yamim Noraim, we have worked on making teshuvah (return), tefilah (prayer), and tzedakah (donations) regular tools in our spiritual journey of transformation. We now have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of that spiritual work. The Sukkah gives us a connection to the Or Makif (Surrounding Light), to the beauty and wonder of creation, and to remind us that the Almighty provides for our every need. The Four Species and the Etrog, according to the Arizal, induces the Light that comes from Zeir Anpin (the Upper World).
Many Jewish communities in the Diaspora (outside of the land of Israel) observe the first two days as Festival Days for the Festival of Sukkot. Our community follows the 1 day commanded by Torah and as is custom in Eretz Yisrael.
Work is not permitted on the first day of the Festival.
Work is permitted on Chol HaMoed (Days 2-7)
The new year begins on the first of Tishrei, but the process of creating the new year takes 22 days. There is a connection of each of the first 22 days of Tishrei to one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew Alefbet. On Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, the 22nd day, the process is complete and we truly begin the new year by starting a new Torah cycle.
Many Jewish communities in the Diaspora (outside of the land of Israel) observe two days as Festival Days for the Festival of Shemini Atzeret. Our community observes only the 1 day commanded by Torah and as is custom in Eretz Yisrael.
Work is not permitted on the Festival of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah.
During the Festival of Chanukah we light the lights of the Chanukiah (8-branched Menorah) and connect to the energy of the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. Seven is the number of Kedushah (holiness) within nature, eight is the number of transcendence. The spark within us (the soul) is connected to the Light of the Ein Sof (Creator). The purpose of lighting the Chanukiah is focus on the light of our soul and on our unique calling as Am Yisrael of being "a light unto the nations."
Work is permitted except on Shabbat Chanukah.
Hallel is said each day.
Asarah BeTevet (10th of Tevet) is a fast day which commemorates the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem which led to the destruction of the First Beit Hamikdash.
During Shacharit: Selichot follows Tachanun. One lays Tefillin during Minchah instead of Shacharit.
This fast begins at sunrise and ends at sunset.
Work is permitted.
Kabbalah4All Congregation was established to connect people who wish to be part of a Jewish community which focuses on Kabbalah (Mystical Judaism). Through our online Sephardic synagogue, we maintain the continuity of the Jewish people, as well as help strengthen Judaism and the study of Kabbalah; to put into practice its way of life; to teach its language, literature and spiritual traditions; to empower others through services and studies to effect change in their part of the world--the idea of Tikkun Olam.
Kabbalah4All strives to be a spiritual community that celebrates diversity and honors the individuality of each unique person.
We offer live streaming Shabbat and Holiday services via YouTube. Kabbalah4All makes it possible for many people around the world to have an online congregation they can call home; A Place of Prayer For All People.
Kabbalah4All Congregation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
For other ways to donate, please go to our DONATE page.
