Did you know the Jewish calendar has not one, but four different New Years? This remarkable detail shows how rich and complex Jewish holidays are in 2025. Each celebration starts at sundown and lasts until nightfall the next day.
The 2025 Jewish calendar brings meaningful moments of reflection, celebration, and tradition from Passover in April to Chanukah in December. Major observances fill the year. Yom Kippur falls on October 1-2 with its 25-hour fast, while Rosh Hashanah runs from September 22-24 and begins the sacred 10-day period known as the Days of Awe.
This piece will guide you through the dates and customs of Jewish holidays in 2025. You’ll find everything you need to plan for Passover (April 12-20), get ready for Sukkot’s harvest festival (October 6-13), or arrange your schedule around other holy days.
Complete 2025 Jewish Holiday Calendar Overview
2025 Jewish Holiday Calendar Overview
Image Source: Chabad.org
The Jewish holiday schedule for 2025 follows a unique system that combines lunar and solar cycles based on both lunar and solar cycles.
Major Jewish Holidays in 2025
Here’s a clear timeline of the major festivals:
| Holiday | Dates | Work Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Passover | April 12-20 | No work April 13-14, 19-20 |
| Shavuot | June 1-3 | No work permitted |
| Rosh Hashanah | Sept 22-24 | No work permitted |
| Yom Kippur | Oct 1-2 | Complete work restriction |
| Sukkot | Oct 6-13 | No work Oct 7-8 |
Minor Jewish Holidays and Observances
The calendar features several most important observances that add depth to our traditions:
- Tu B’Shvat: February 13 – New Year for Trees
- Purim: March 13-14 – Celebration of deliverance
- Lag BaOmer: May 15-16 – Period of celebration during Omer counting
- Tisha B’Av: August 2-3 – Day of fasting and remembrance
- Chanukah: December 14-22 – Festival of Lights
Holiday Date Calculation System
Rabbi Hillel II created a sophisticated system for the Jewish calendar developed by Rabbi Hillel II. The new moon marks the beginning of each month, and months alternate between 29 and 30 days. We add an extra month seven times in a 19-year cycle to line up with solar years.
Jewish tradition marks the start of each day at sunset instead of midnight. Therefore, holidays begin the evening before their listed date. To cite an instance, Rosh Hashanah’s celebrations start at sunset on September 21, though the date shows September 22.
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This calendar system will give a perfect match between agricultural festivals and their seasons. The system preserves our holidays’ historical connection to astronomical events while serving as a practical guide for modern observance.
Spring Jewish Holidays 2025
Spring Jewish Holidays 2025
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Spring brings our most cherished Jewish holidays in 2025. The celebrations start with nature’s renewal and lead to our festival of freedom.
Tu B’Shvat and Purim Celebrations
The spring festivities start with Tu B’Shvat, the New Year of Trees, on February 13, 2025. The joyous festival of Purim follows from sunset on March 13 to nightfall on March 14, 2025. This celebration commemorates Jewish deliverance.
Passover 2025 Dates and Customs
Passover, our most important spring observance, starts at sunset on April 12 and runs through April 20, 2025. Here’s our detailed Passover schedule:
| Date | Observance | Work Status |
|---|---|---|
| April 12 | Passover Eve | Preparation Day |
| April 13-14 | First Two Days | No Work Permitted |
| April 15-18 | Chol Hamoed | Work with Restrictions |
| April 19-20 | Final Days | No Work Permitted |
Counting the Omer Period
The sacred practice of counting the Omer begins after Passover’s second night. This 49-day spiritual experience has:
- Daily counting from April 13 through June 1, 2025
- Special celebration of Lag BaOmer on May 15, 2025
- Culmination just before Shavuot festival
We focus on personal growth and spiritual development during this period, especially when counting the Omer. Each day gives us a chance to reflect as we count from 1 to 49. This marks our ancestral experience from Egyptian bondage to receiving the Torah.
The spring season connects our agricultural heritage with spiritual renewal. The Omer period marked the barley harvest historically, which links our physical and spiritual sustenance.
Summer Jewish Holidays 2025
Summer Jewish Holidays 2025
Image Source: Chabad.org
The Jewish holiday season in summer 2025 starts with one of our most important festivals and has both solemn observances and joyous celebrations.
Shavuot Festival Timing
Shavuot marks the giving of Torah at Mount Sinai from sunset on June 1 through nightfall on June 3, 2025. The festival has these special times:
| Day | Date | Special Observances |
|---|---|---|
| First Night | June 1 | Evening Services |
| First Day | June 2 | Torah Reading |
| Second Day | June 3 | Yizkor Memorial Service |
Tisha B’Av and Minor Summer Fasts
Summer brings Tisha B’Av, our most solemn fast day, from sunset on August 2 until nightfall on August 3, 2025. This 25-hour fast honors the memory of both Holy Temples’ destruction in Jerusalem. Our customs during this time include:
- No leather footwear
- Abstaining from pleasurable activities
- Reading the Book of Lamentations
- Special prayers and kinnot (dirges)
Tu B’Av Celebration
Just six days after our period of mourning ends, Tu B’Av, our festival of love, begins from sunset on August 8 until nightfall on August 9, 2025. Tu B’Av started as a matchmaking festival for unmarried women and has grown into our modern celebration of love. Israeli communities celebrate with:
- Festivals featuring singing and dancing
- Special community gatherings
- Wedding celebrations
- Romantic evening events
This holiday has become much more popular over the last several years. Many people celebrate it more than Valentine’s Day, including both secular Jews and the Haredi community.
High Holidays 2025 Schedule
High Holidays 2025 Schedule
Image Source: Chabad.org
The High Holidays stand as the most sacred time in our Jewish calendar. This special period starts with Rosh Hashanah and concludes with the joyful celebration of Simchat Torah.
Rosh Hashanah 2025 Timeline
Our Jewish New Year starts at sunset on Monday, September 22 and continues through nightfall on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. These two days mark the start of the Ten Days of Awe. We come together to:
- Share traditional prayer services with shofar blowing
- Enjoy family meals with symbolic foods
- Light special holiday candles
Yom Kippur 2025 Observance
The holiest day of our year, Yom Kippur, begins at sunset on Wednesday, October 1 and ends at nightfall on Thursday, October 2, 2025. This sacred day unfolds with:
| Time | Observance |
|---|---|
| Evening | Kol Nidrei Service |
| Day | Intensive Prayer Services |
| Afternoon | Yizkor Memorial Service |
| Sunset | Ne’ila Closing Prayers |
We dedicate these 25 hours to prayer and reflection while observing a complete fast.
Sukkot and Simchat Torah Dates
Our season of joy opens with Sukkot from sunset on Monday, October 6 through nightfall on Monday, October 13, 2025. We move straight into Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, which we celebrate from sunset on October 13 until nightfall on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
The festival schedule shows:
- First two days of Sukkot (October 7-8): No work permitted
- Intermediate days (October 9-13): Work allowed with restrictions
- Shemini Atzeret (October 13-14): Complete holiday observance
- Simchat Torah (October 14-15): Joyous Torah celebrations
These autumn festivals bring unique customs to life. We dwell in the sukkah and perform the traditional hakafot (Torah dancing) during Simchat Torah. Our celebration peaks as we complete and restart the annual Torah reading cycle.
Winter Jewish Holidays 2025
Winter Jewish Holidays 2025
Image Source: Chabad.org
The Jewish year 5786 draws to a close with winter celebrations, and the beloved Festival of Lights stands out among these meaningful observances that brighten our coldest months.
Hanukkah 2025 Calendar
The cherished eight-day Festival of Lights begins at sunset on December 14 and continues through nightfall on December 22, 2025. The daily candle-lighting schedule follows:
| Date | Candles |
|---|---|
| Dec 14 | First Candle |
| Dec 15-20 | Second through Seventh Candles |
| Dec 21 | Eighth Candle |
| Dec 22 | Final Day |
This celebration honors the Maccabees’ miraculous victory and the Temple oil that burned for eight days. Our community embraces these cherished traditions:
- Lighting the menorah near windows or doorways
- Playing dreidel games with family
- Enjoying oil-based foods like sufganiyot (doughnuts) and latkes
Winter Fast Days
The community observes Asara B’Tevet on December 30, 2025, which marks one of six annual fast days. This solemn occasion commemorates the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem’s beginning. Observant community members fast from sunrise to sundown and reflect on these pivotal historical events. In addition to the observance of Asara B’Tevet, the community finds strength in the rich tapestry of cultural diversity in India, which influences their traditions and celebrations. This blending of practices fosters a deep sense of solidarity and shared purpose among members, allowing them to honor their history while embracing the broader cultural landscape. Such events not only serve as a reminder of their shared narrative but also as an opportunity to engage with the vibrant heritage surrounding them.
Holiday Conclusion Dates
Hanukkah’s final days hold special significance. The sight of all eight candles creates a brilliant display that symbolizes light’s triumph over darkness. Communities gather for public menorah lightings that mark the celebration’s peak.
Traditional dairy dishes grace our tables, honoring the brave Yehudit’s story. She served cheese and wine to a Greek general before securing victory. These meaningful customs strengthen our heritage and create lasting connections between generations.
Comparison Table
| Holiday Period | Time Frame | Major Holidays Included | Key Dates | Notable Customs/Observances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Holidays | Feb – June | Tu B’Shvat, Purim, Passover | Feb 13 (Tu B’Shvat), Mar 13-14 (Purim), Apr 12-20 (Passover) | Omer counting (Apr 13-Jun 1), Tree planting festivities, Seder meals |
| Summer Holidays | June – Aug | Shavuot, Tisha B’Av, Tu B’Av | June 1-3 (Shavuot), Aug 2-3 (Tisha B’Av), Aug 8-9 (Tu B’Av) | Torah reading, 25-hour fast on Tisha B’Av, Celebrations of love |
| High Holidays | Sept – Oct | Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot | Sept 22-24 (Rosh Hashanah), Oct 1-2 (Yom Kippur), Oct 6-15 (Sukkot/Simchat Torah) | Shofar blowing, 25-hour fast, Sukkah dwelling |
| Winter Holidays | Dec | Hanukkah | Dec 14-22 | Menorah lighting, Dreidel games, Holiday foods (sufganiyot, latkes) |
FAQs
What are the major Jewish holidays in 2025?
The major Jewish holidays in 2025 include Passover (April 12-20), Shavuot (June 1-3), Rosh Hashanah (September 22-24), Yom Kippur (October 1-2), and Sukkot (October 6-13). Each of these holidays has specific customs and observances associated with them.
When does Hanukkah occur in 2025?
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, begins at sunset on December 14 and continues through nightfall on December 22, 2025. This eight-day celebration involves lighting the menorah, playing dreidel games, and enjoying traditional foods like sufganiyot and latkes.
Are there work restrictions during Jewish holidays?
Yes, some Jewish holidays have work restrictions. For example, no work is permitted on the first two and last two days of Passover, during Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. Sukkot also has work restrictions for the first two days. These restrictions allow for full focus on prayer, family gatherings, and observance of traditions.
How is the Jewish calendar different from the Gregorian calendar?
The Jewish calendar operates on a unique system based on both lunar and solar cycles. Each month begins with the new moon, and an extra month is added seven times in a 19-year cycle to align with solar years. This system ensures that agricultural festivals align with their appropriate seasons while maintaining historical connections.
What is the significance of the Counting of the Omer?
The Counting of the Omer is a 49-day period that begins on the second night of Passover (April 13) and continues until Shavuot (June 1) in 2025. It marks the spiritual journey from Egyptian bondage to receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. Each day represents an opportunity for personal growth and reflection, connecting the physical harvest with spiritual development.
Conclusion
The Jewish calendar helps preserve sacred traditions that span thousands of years. Each season brings holidays that connect us deeply with our heritage. Our spring celebrates the liberation story during Passover, while winter brings the miracle of light during Hanukkah.
Spiritual renewal comes through major festivals like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Community celebrations like Purim and Tu B’Av fill our hearts with joy. These observances restrict work so we can dedicate ourselves to prayer, family gatherings, and meaningful traditions.
Our sophisticated lunar-solar calendar system will give a perfect arrangement of agricultural festivals with their seasons. This system maintains historical astronomical connections effectively. Dates may change yearly compared to the secular calendar, but careful calculations preserve our observances’ original purpose and meaning.
Holy days anchor our year and provide opportunities for reflection, celebration, and spiritual growth. Each observance strengthens our community’s bonds and enriches our Jewish identity – whether we fast on Yom Kippur, dwell in a sukkah during Sukkot, or light the menorah through Hanukkah nights.