Jewish Holidays and Festivals
In Judaism, life is marked by numerous special days in which adherents take time out of their everyday lives to stop work and focus on God and his mitzvot (commandments), including Sabbath services and holidays.
The history of Judaism is full of incredible stories, which, according to the Hebrew Bible, are important for Jews of all generations to remember. Because the purpose of most of the holidays and festivals in Judaism is to recall God's work in history, they are one of the most important aspects of the Jewish faith.
Observing holidays and festivals also has important social outcomes. They help to keep tradition alive, contribute to a sense of community and belonging, and ensure regular reflection and celebration.
The most important Jewish holy days are the Sabbath, the three pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot) and the two High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). For observant Jews, it is forbidden to work on any of these days.
Table of Contents
Sources
- “Jewish Holidays.” Chabad.org. "Observances, study, FAQs, videos, and music for all minor and major Jewish holidays, festivals and fast days."
- “List of observances set by the Hebrew calendar.” Wikipedia.

Article Info
Title | Jewish Holidays and Festivals |
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Published | March 17, 2004 |
Last Updated | February 25, 2021 |
URL | religionfacts.com/ |
Short URL | rlft.co/860 |
MLA Citation | “Jewish Holidays and Festivals.” ReligionFacts.com. 25 Feb. 2021. Web. Accessed 4 Mar. 2021. <religionfacts.com/judaism/holidays> |