5770-5772 (2009-2012) Holidays (Printable 5770-5774 (2009-2014) Jewish Holiday List)

Chodesh Av: Dealing with Tragedies
(5772) July 20-August 18, 2012 | (5773) July 8-August 6, 2013| (5774) July 1-August 26, 2014

Chodesh Av occurs during Av (in July and August). The month of Av is a month of tragedies for the Jewish people.

Some of the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people during the month of Av include:
The spies spoke evil of Eretz Yisrael - Twelve spies were chosen to scout out Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel) by Moses. The spies reported to Moses and the people their fears that the people in the land (Canaanites) were too mighty to conquer. Only Joshua and Caleb gave a good report. Due to this report, the Hebrews were forced to wander the desert for forty years.

The Destruction of the First Temple and the Second Temple - The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The Jews were exiled to Babylon. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Roman in 70CE. The Jews were exiled throughout the world until the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

Massacre of Jews by the Romans at Betar - Betar was the last standing Jewish fortress in the Bar-Kochba rebellion in the second century CE. Betar was destroyed by the Romans on Tish B'Av (ninth of Av) and effectively ended any Jewish dreams of freedom.

The Jews were expelled from Spain - Several months after the fall of Granada an Edict of Expulsion (Alhambra decree) was issued against the Jews of Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492. It ordered all Jews of whatever age to leave the kingdom by the last day of July, (Tisha B'Av).

The killings at Treblinka began - Treblinka II was designed purely for the extermination of people. It was one of five secret camps of Operation Reinhard. Kulmhof (Chełmno) extermination camp was built as first. It was a pilot project for the development of the next four camps; the remaining three being Belzec, Sobibor and Majdanek.In addition, the killing facilities were developed in Auschwitz II-Birkenau within the already existing camp (Auschwitz I).

Chodesh Nisan: Commemorating the Exodus
(5772) March 24-April 22, 2012 | (5772) March 12-April 10, 2013| (5773) April 1-30, 2014

Chodesh Nisan (occurs in March or April). It is called the first month because it is the month of the Exodus from Egypt.

The first commandment given from G-d to the Jewish people was to establish the First Month.
Exodus 12:2: This month shall be to you the head of the months; to you it shall be the first of the months of the year.

The first day (Rosh Chodesh) of the First Month was chosen by G-d to inaugrate the Mishkan (the temproray Temple used in the desert and Eretz Yisrael before the First Temple).
Exodus 40:2: On the day of the first month, on the first of the month, you shall set up the Mishkan of the Tent of Meeting.

Eight sections of Torah were taught to the Jewish people by G-d through Moses.
Priestly Section
Section for the Tribe of Levi
Section for the Ritually Impure
Section defining the camps
Section which describes the death of Aaron's two eldest sons
Section forbidding a Priest to enter the Mishkan while under the influence of wine or other intoxicants
Section describing the Priestly responsibilities
Section regarding the Red Heifer

Chodesh Sivan: Commemorating the Giving of the Torah
(5772) May 22-June 20, 2012 | (5772) May 10-June 8, 2013 | (5773) May 30-June 28, 2014

Chodesh Sivan occurs during Sivan (in May and June). During the month of Sivan, the Jews were given the Torah by G-d through Moses at Mount Sinai.

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Chodesh Tammuz: Dealing with Tragedies
(5772) June 21-July 19, 2012 | (5772) June 9-July 7, 2013 | (5773) June 29-July 27, 2014

Chodesh Tammuz occurs during Tammuz (in June and July). It is during this month that a great deal of tragedies began that led to even greater tragedies.

Some of the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people during the month of Tammuz include:
Moses smashed the Tablets
The walls of Jersualem were breached by the Romans.

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