The Hebrew Calendar

The Hebrew calendar consists of 12 or 13 months, with the extra month added in leap years. Every month is either 29 or 30 days long.

The beginning of the month is based upon the sighting of the new moon, which is when the thin crescent of the moon reappears.

The months are: Nisan, Iyar, Sivan, Tammuz, Av, Elul, Tishrei, Cheshvan, Kislev, Tevet, Shevat, and Adar. In leap years, an additional month called Adar II is added after Adar.


The Jewish calendar is based on both the moon’s cycles and the solar year.

The Hebrew calendar adds a leap month, Adar II, seven times every 19 years because lunar years are about 11 days shorter than solar years, the Jewish calendar adds an extra month (Adar I) roughly every third year.. This adjustment reconciles the lunar and solar calendars.

Hebrew Months with Gregorian Equivalent and key highlights (Based on Scripture)

The Jewish calendar is more than just a way to track dates, it’s a cycle of faith, seasons, and spiritual meaning.