So, this year was a leap year (for those who follow the Jewish calendar). As you should know, we Jews use the new moons as the signal for a new month. And, since it is critical that holidays stay linked to certain seasons, we need a leap year. Three times every 11 years. And, the leap year means we add an additional month to our calendar. No, it doesn’t have yet another name- instead we call this “leap month” the same name as the month that precedes it, but note it’s # 2. Rosh chodesh (the new moon) of Adar 2 was two weeks ago..
Tag Archives: Achashverosh
Foiled Again?
Tonight starts one of my children’s favorite holidays, Purim (“Lots”). It also helped set my life’s compass. (I’ll explain this later.)
Where’s the Moon?
There was no moon last night. 15 days ago was the last supermoon of 2017. But, what makes this special? In my religion, each new moon is a special holiday called Rosh Chodesh, the start of a new month.
Where’s your costume?
Today is a holiday. It is the first day of Purim. (Purim means “Lots”- as in the lottery. We just didn’t really win this lottery.). My family has always celebrated Shushan Purim, the name for the second day; most Ashkenazi Jews rarely celebrate it- for them, it’s a one day holiday. The Purim holiday celebrates the ploys of Esther (also known as Hadassah), the Jewish Queen of Babylonia, and her uncle (godfather?) Mordechai.