ABSTRACT
The ordinary Jewish year consists of twelve months— Nisan, Iyar, Sivan, Tammuz, Ab, Ellul, Cheshvan or Marcheshvan, Kislev, Tebeth, Shebat, and Adar. The Jewish year commences with the seventh month, Tishri. On the first day of that month falls the solemn Day of Memorial, to which the additional name of New Year, or New Year’s Day, is accordingly given. The Jewish Calendar, then, as it now exists, is entirely based upon astronomical principles. The months are lunar, i.e. they correspond in duration with the time it takes the moon to make one revolution round the earth. There was a time, however, when scientific calculation played little if any part in the fixing of the Calendar. Thus the most sacred Holy Days in the year might be shifted from their proper dates, merely from a regard for the communal convenience. This was a piece of wise liberalism which deserves respect and admiration.
