BYNA 2026 Calendar Considerations

As Hebrews in exile, we are subject to at least two major calendars which entail methods of dividing and naming days, weeks, months, and years. Practically speaking, it is impossible to live and work in “the world” without making concessions to the standard Gregorian calendar. Although there are many culture-based calendars that are not Gregorian, every culture on the planet recognizes and refers to the Gregorian calendar as a common standard. The Hebrew calendar, like almost all non-Gregorian calendars, is lunisolar, meaning essentially that the changing of the months is based on phases of the moon and changes from one year to the next are based on the relative position of the Sun in relation to the Earth. Biblical references to times and dates are generally in relation to the Hebrew calendar.

The calendar can easily become a subject of much discussion, disagreement, and controversy. Agreeing on exactly which day(s) to observe the various moedim (appointed times; i.e., times appointed by YHVH through the instructions of Torah) can be challenging, and brethren have been known to discontinue fellowship over these types of disagreements. Our hope, desire, and intent at BYNA is to extend love, grace, and understanding toward any who might disagree so that the spirits of worship, devotion, obedience, grace, peace, and righteousness might prevail. With that in mind, we offer the following “calendar,” not as an expression of legal exactitude, but as a guide for personal consideration, examination, and observance. We include the biblical Feasts as well as some Jewish traditional commemorations and some Israeli civil holidays, for your information and as a reference for further study and research. We present this in the context of the Gregorian year designated 2026, which includes the last several months of the Jewish year 5786 and the first few months of the Jewish year 5787.

In the Hebrew manner of reckoning, the day begins at sundown, so the translation to Gregorian requires a two-date span of reference. Here are several verses for keeping Shabbat – Exodus 31:13-17, 35:2-3, Lev. 23:3, 26:2, Deut. 15:12-15, 28:9, Is. 58:13-14, Jer. 17:21-27. Verses for Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) – chodesh means “beginning, head, or renewal” (Num 10: 10, Num 28:11-15, Ps 81:3)  

Our understanding of when the three Pilgrim Feasts for 2026 should be observed is as follows…

Pesach (Passover) one night – (Lev 23:5, Deut. 16:1) is when the commemorative seder meal should be shared among immediate family. (the traditional Jewish Seder is somewhat more elaborate than what scripture calls for) So, for 2026 here are the major festivals.

• Passover begins at sundown March 31 (since 14 Nisan begins at sundown March 31) until sundown April 1. Traditional Seder night is Wednesday April 1.
• The first High Sabbath of the Feast of Matzot (Unleavened Bread), A SOLEMN ASSEMBLY (Ex. 12:15-20) (a.k.a. Holy convocation to commence Matzot; essentially an “extra” Shabbat) begins at sundown April 1 to sundown April 2.
• Matzot (Unleavened Bread) thus continues from sundown April 2 to sundown April 09.
• Matzot (Unleavened Bread) ending with a SOLEMN ASSEMBLY (a.k.a. holy convocation: the second high Shabbat) from sundown April 08 to sundown April 09.
• Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) (Lev 23:5, Deut. 16:1)  Sundown May 21 to sundown May 23
• 40 Days of Personal Change (Repentance / Teshuvah – all of Elul plus first ten days of Tishrei) sundown August 13 to sundown to begin Yom Kippur September 20.
• Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) (Lev 23:23-24) from sundown Sept 11 thru sundown Sept 12.
• Days of Awe – sundown September 22 to sundown October 02
• Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) (10 Tishrei) – SOLEMN ASSEMBLY (Lev 23:27) Sundown September 20 to sundown September 21
• Sukkot (Feast of Booths/Tabernacles) (Lev 23:41-43, Deut 16:13-17) Sundown September 25 to sundown Oct 02 (15 Tishrei thru 21 Tishrei) High Sabbath’s: from sundown Sept 25 to sundown Sept 26 – at the beginning of Sukkot and sundown Oct 13rd to sundown Oct 14th  – after the end of Sukkot
• Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day) – Sundown Oct 02 to sundown Oct 03
• Simchat Torah – Sundown Oct 03 to sundown Oct 04