Saturday is the main day of rest in Israel. All Jewish holidays begin after sunset on the eve of the previous day and end after sunset the following day.
Thus, Shabbat typically starts on Friday afternoon (around 3–5 pm) and continues until nightfall on Saturday. During this time, banks, shops, and public institutions are closed, and most restaurants do not operate. Public transport also does not run on Saturdays and major holidays.
Jewish holidays fall on different dates each year in the Gregorian calendar, as the Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle.
A Bar (Bat) Mitzvah marks the coming of age, the moment when children are considered adults in religious terms. The term bar mitzvah means “son of the commandment,” while bat mitzvah means “daughter of the commandment.”
From this point, observing the commandments and traditions of Jewish life becomes обязательным: for boys from the age of 13, and for girls from the age of 12.
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tu Bishvat | February 1 | January 21 | February 10 |
| Purim | March 3–4 | March 23–24 | March 12–13 |
| Passover | April 2–9 | March 22–29 | April 11–18 |
| Memorial Day | April 16 | May 5 | April 24 |
| Holocaust Remembrance Day | April 21 | May 11 | April 30 |
| Independence Day | April 22 | May 12 | May 1 |
| Shavuot | May 21–22 | June 10–11 | May 30–31 |
| Tisha B’Av | July 23 | August 14 | August 3 |
| Rosh Hashanah | September 11–13 | October 1–3 | September 20–22 |
| Yom Kippur | September 20–21 | October 10–11 | October 29–30 |
| Sukkot | September 25 – October 2 | October 15–22 | October 4–11 |
| Hanukkah | December 4–11 | December 24–31 | December 13–20 |
Tu BiShvat — also known as the “New Year of the Trees,” is a day when it is customary to plant young trees and eat fruits and grains grown in Israel.
On this day, people follow the teachings of the Torah regarding fruit trees, which should not be destroyed or damaged, as they provide sustenance for humankind.
A person, like a tree, is sustained by their roots. Though unseen, roots give strength both to the tree and to the human being. The tree’s crown symbolises a person’s life, while its fruits are like children—an extension of oneself.
Purim — a joyful holiday commemorating the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire more than 2,400 years ago.
According to tradition, Haman, an advisor to King Ahasuerus, plotted to destroy all the Jews of Persia. However, the Jewish queen Esther revealed his scheme to the king and saved her people.
On the morning of Purim, the Scroll of Esther is read in the synagogue. In the evening, festive celebrations take place in the streets, including carnival processions and humorous performances known as purimshpiels.
It is also customary to exchange mishloach manot—gift packages of sweets and treats.
Passover (Pesach) is one of the most important Jewish holidays. It commemorates events that took place around 3,300 years ago, when the Jewish people gained their freedom by leaving Egypt, where they had lived in slavery for more than two centuries.
This day symbolises both spiritual and physical liberation and is considered the birth of the Jewish nation and the beginning of its national history.
The holiday lasts for a week. On the first and last evenings, families gather for the Passover meal and hold the Seder, a special ritual during which the story of the Exodus from Egypt is retold.
In remembrance of the hardships endured during the 40 years of wandering in the desert, special foods are eaten. For example, regular bread is replaced with matzah—unleavened flatbread.
A national day of mourning dedicated to the more than 14,000 Israelis who lost their lives in the country’s wars and in defence of the state.
On this day, memorial ceremonies take place across Israel, including at the Western Wall. A siren sounds nationwide, during which people stand still and bow their heads in remembrance of the fallen.
The main national holiday of Israel, marking the proclamation of the State of Israel in 1948.
Since then, it has been celebrated as the birthday of the Jewish state — a homeland for Jews wherever they may live.
Shavuot — the holiday commemorating the giving of the Tablets of the Covenant by God on Mount Sinai during the Exodus from Egypt, as well as a harvest festival when the first fruits were brought to the Temple.
On this day, the Jewish people received the Ten Commandments, which have served as the foundation of their religious and moral life for over 3,000 years.
Shavuot is celebrated seven weeks after Passover (Pesach).
Tisha B’Av (9th of Av) — a day of mourning marking the destruction of both the First Temple (586 BCE) and the Second Temple in Jerusalem (70 CE), as well as other tragic events in Jewish history. It is observed with a strict fast and commemorative practices.
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) — more than just a New Year celebration, this holiday holds deep spiritual meaning. According to tradition, it marks the creation of the world and the birth of humanity, when the first human, Adam, was created.
During these days, it is believed that God reflects on human deeds and determines each person’s fate. The holiday symbolises both the beginning of the new year and the conclusion of the previous one. It is a time for self-reflection and preparation for the year ahead.
Festive meals include symbolic foods expressing wishes for a sweet and prosperous year, such as apples with honey and pomegranates.
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) — the most solemn day of the Jewish year. It is a time when God judges human actions and determines their destiny.
On this day, people dedicate themselves entirely to reflection, repentance, and prayer. A strict fast is observed—from sunset to the following evening—during which eating and drinking are prohibited. Synagogue services last throughout the day with short breaks.
Sukkot — the Feast of Tabernacles, beginning four days after Yom Kippur and lasting a week.
During this time, it is customary to eat (and sometimes live) in a sukkah—a temporary shelter—recalling the Israelites’ wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. The tradition also symbolises the transient nature of material wealth.
Special blessings are recited over the “Four Species”: the etrog (citron), lulav (palm branch), and branches of myrtle and willow.
Hanukkah — the Festival of Lights, celebrating the miracle that occurred after the victory of Judah Maccabee over the forces of King Antiochus in 164 BCE.
According to tradition, there was only enough oil in the Temple to keep the menorah burning for one day, yet it miraculously lasted for eight days.
In remembrance of this event, one candle is lit each day on a special candelabrum called a hanukkiah.