Definition of Hebrew Calendar

The universal calendar is the Gregorian, which came into force in 1582, since previously the Julian calendar was used. As we all know, the distribution Annual weather in most countries is organized in twelve months from January to December, some months with 30 days, others with 31 and February with 28 or 29 if it is a leap year. From this system, the 365 days of the year correspond to the orbit of the Earth around the Sun. However, the Jews use quite another. Its main characteristic consists in the distribution of time according to the movements of the Moon, while the Gregorian is based on the movements of the Sun.

Historical origin

The beginning of this calendar began when the people of Israel left the land of Egypt

Thus, the beginning of his exile is the beginning of the year and this question is reflected in the Old Testament, specifically in Exodus 12: 2. That known month was known to the Hebrews as the month of Abib (today this month is called Nisan).

The ancient Hebrews started the day when the Sun appeared on the horizon and not after midnight. This system is also based on the Old Testament, specifically on Genesis 1: 5.

Characteristics of the Hebrew calendar

This calendar is based on what the ancient Israelites called lunar cycles. According to tradition Hebrew the lunar cycle is the time when the Moon revolves around the Earth and this movement It has a duration of 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 3 seconds. Is measurement of the lunar cycle was a mathematical calculation that was introduced from the fourth century onwards and represented a refinement of the original Hebrew calendar.

In the Hebrew calendar there are months of 29 days and months of 30 alternately and consequently in the annual lunar cycle there are a total of 354 days

Like the Gregorian calendar, Hebrew incorporates a leap year (an entire month is added every 19-year period to coordinate the solar cycle and the lunar cycle).

There are a total of twelve months to the year and each of them has a spiritual meaning (for example, the last month of the year is oriented to the examination of the conscience individual and the first month of winter is associated with the hope, because with the arrival of winter abundant rains are expected for the crops).

If we take as a reference the year 2016 of the universal calendar, it corresponds to the Hebrew year of 5776

Nisan is the name of the first month for the Jews and corresponds to the month of March or April of the Gregorian calendar depending on the year. During this month, Pesach or Jewish Passover is celebrated, a day in which the liberation of the people of Israel from the period of slavery in ancient Egypt.

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