The Jewish Calendar -- The Big Picture

Just some short notes.

According to the Jewish Religion, we've completed our annual mourning the destruction of the Holy Temples. The mourning began with the daylight fast of the 17th of Tammuz, and then for three weeks, it gradually gains momentum and intensity, culminating in the 25 hour fast on the 9th of Av. During the Three Weeks, as they re known, we restrict joyous events, swimming for pleasure, cutting hair, wearing new clothes and laundering in a gradual process.

Then, the remainder of the month of Av is spent "comforted," and for that reason, the month is then called Menachem-Av. The following month, Ellul, is dedicated to personal repentance, tshuva, and only after that two and a half month spiritual process are we ready to begin the New Year, Rosh Hashannah, which doesn't start with a bang of drunken frenzy. There are more reflections and repentance, highlighted in the 25 hour fast and prayers of Yom Kippur.

Immediately after Yom Kippur, we begin building our temporary homes, Succot and then celebrate that week long holiday, which is immediately followed by Simchat Torah, celebrating the Torah and finishing the annual reading cycle.

And then the rains resume in Eretz Yisrael...