There are 12 months in the Jewish calendar, and 13 in a leap year.
The Jewish months are:
Nisan, Iyar, Sivan, Tammuz, Av, Elul, Tishrei, Cheshvan, Kislev, Tevet, Shevat, and Adar.
In leap years, an extra month called Adar I is added before Adar II.
The Jewish calendar is lunisolar—based on both the moon’s cycles and the solar year—which makes it different from the Gregorian calendar.
What Are the Jewish Months of the Year?
Here’s the complete list of Jewish months in order, with meanings and key highlights:
1. Nisan (נִיסָן)
- Gregorian equivalent: March – April
- Length: 30 days
- Significance: The first month of the Jewish religious year.
- Major holidays: Passover (Pesach) begins on the 15th of Nisan.
- Meaning: “Miracle” or “redemption” — marks the Exodus from Egypt.
2. Iyar (אִיָּר)
- Gregorian equivalent: April – May
- Length: 29 days
- Major observances: Lag B’Omer and Counting of the Omer continue.
- Meaning: “Light” or “splendor.”
3. Sivan (סִיוָן)
- Gregorian equivalent: May – June
- Length: 30 days
- Major holiday: Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) celebrating the giving of the Torah.
4. Tammuz (תַּמּוּז)
- Gregorian equivalent: June – July
- Length: 29 days
- Major event: 17th of Tammuz fast — marks the breach of Jerusalem’s walls before the Temple’s destruction.
5. Av (אָב)
- Gregorian equivalent: July – August
- Length: 30 days
- Major event: Tisha B’Av (9th of Av) — a day of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples.
6. Elul (אֱלוּל)
- Gregorian equivalent: August – September
- Length: 29 days
- Meaning: “Search” — a time for spiritual reflection before the High Holidays.
- Customs: Daily blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn) in preparation for Rosh Hashanah.
7. Tishrei (תִּשְׁרֵי)
- Gregorian equivalent: September – October
- Length: 30 days
- Major holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah.
- Significance: Marks the civil new year of the Jewish calendar.
8. Cheshvan / Mar-Cheshvan (חֶשְׁוָן)
- Gregorian equivalent: October – November
- Length: 29 or 30 days (varies)
- Meaning: “Bitter month” — contains no major holidays.
- Fun fact: Some traditions call it Mar-Cheshvan (“bitter Cheshvan”) for that reason.
9. Kislev (כִּסְלֵו)
- Gregorian equivalent: November – December
- Length: 29 or 30 days
- Major holiday: Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) begins on the 25th of Kislev.
10. Tevet (טֵבֵת)
- Gregorian equivalent: December – January
- Length: 29 days
- Major event: 10th of Tevet fast — commemorates the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem.
11. Shevat (שְׁבָט)
- Gregorian equivalent: January – February
- Length: 30 days
- Major holiday: Tu BiShvat — the New Year for Trees.
12. Adar (אֲדָר)
- Gregorian equivalent: February – March
- Length: 29 days (30 in leap years)
- Major holiday: Purim — celebrating Jewish survival and joy.
- Meaning: “Strength” or “power.”
13. Adar I (Leap Year Only)
- Gregorian equivalent: February – March
- Length: 30 days
- Purpose: Added during Jewish leap years to synchronize lunar and solar cycles.
- Adar II becomes the primary Adar for holidays like Purim.
How Many Jewish Months Are There?
There are 12 Jewish months in a common year and 13 in a leap year.
Why Does the Jewish Calendar Add an Extra Month?
Because lunar years are about 11 days shorter than solar years, the Jewish calendar adds an extra month (Adar I) roughly every third year.
What is the First Month of the Jewish Year?
Religiously, Nisan is the first month (it marks the Exodus and Passover).
However, in the civil calendar, the year begins with Tishrei, which includes Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
So the Jewish calendar actually recognizes two “beginnings” — one spiritual and one civil.
Purpose of Knowing Jewish Months
Understanding Jewish months helps in:
- Planning religious holidays and observances
- Tracing Jewish history and heritage
- Aligning Gregorian dates with Hebrew traditions
- Learning the symbolism and rhythm of Jewish spiritual life
It connects modern-day timekeeping with ancient Jewish tradition and sacred cycles.
What is the current Jewish month right now?
The current Jewish month depends on the Hebrew calendar date, which can be checked using a Gregorian-to-Jewish calendar converter.
Final Thoughts
The Jewish calendar is more than just a way to track dates — it’s a living cycle of faith, seasons, and spiritual meaning.
Each of the Jewish months carries deep cultural and religious significance, connecting today’s life with thousands of years of tradition.
Understanding the complete Jewish months list helps bridge modern calendars with ancient rhythms — a timeless link between the sun, moon, and sacred time.