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 the 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 2022, which includes the last several months of the Jewish year 5782 and the first few months of the Jewish year 5783.
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 2022 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 2022 here are the major festivals.
- Passover begins at sundown April 14 (since 14 Nisan begins at sundown April 14) until sundown April 15.
- 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 15 to sundown April 16.
- Matzot (Unleavened Bread) thus continues from sundown April 16 to sundown April 22
- Matzot (Unleavened Bread) ending with a SOLEMN ASSEMBLY (a.k.a. holy convocation: essentially an “extra” Shabbat) from sundown April 21 to sundown April 22.
- Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) (Lev 23:5, Deut. 16:1) Sundown June 04 to sundown June 05
- 40 Days of of Personal Change (Repentance / Teshuvah – all of Elul plus first ten days of Tishrei) sundown August 27 to sundown October 05.
- Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) (Lev 23:23-24) from sundown Sept 25 thru sundown Sept 26
- Days of Awe – sundown Sept 25 to sundown October 05
- Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) (10 Tishrei) – SOLEMN ASSEMBLY (Lev 23:27) Sundown Oct 04 2022 to sundown Oct 05 2022
- Sukkot (Feast of Booths/Tabernacles) (Lev 23:41-43, Deut 16:13-17) Sundown Oct 09 to sundown Oct 16 (15 Tishrei thru 21 Tishrei) High Sabbath’s from sundown Oct 09 to sundown Oct 10 – at the beginning of Sukkot and sundown Oct 15 to sundown Oct 16 – at the end of Sukkot
- Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day) – Sundown Oct 16 to sundown Oct 17
- Simchat Torah – Sundown Oct 17 to sundown Oct 18
Here are a few of the non-biblical holidays for Israel the nation for 2022:
- Yom Hasho’ah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) Sundown April 27 to sundown April 28 (27 Nisan)
- Yom HaZichron (Israel Memorial Day) Sundown May 03 to sundown May 04 (3 Iyyar)
- Yom HaAtzma’ut (Israel Independence Day) Sundown May 04 to sundown May 05
- Tisha B’Av (Ninth of Av) Sundown Aug 06 to sundown Aug 07 because the 9th is on a Shabbat this year.
- Chanukah (Feast of Dedication / Festival of Lights) Sundown Dec 17 to sundown Dec 25
For the remainder of Minor Fasts, Minor Holidays, Modern Holidays, Special Shabbatot, and New Moons for 2022 please visit the website HERE
