Los meses hebreos, conocidos como “meses en hebreo y su significado”, son una parte integral de la cultura y la tradición judías. Cada mes tiene un nombre único y un significado especial, lo que refleja la rica historia y las prácticas religiosas del pueblo judío.

A través de este artículo, nos sumergiremos en el fascinante mundo de los meses hebreos, descubriendo sus orígenes, simbolismo y relevancia cultural. Exploraremos cómo se incorporan en las prácticas litúrgicas, el arte y la literatura judías, y compararemos sus características únicas con las de los meses de otras culturas.

Meses hebreos

The Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning that it is based on both the phases of the moon and the solar year. The year begins in the spring, with the month of Nisan, and ends in the fall, with the month of Tishrei.

The Hebrew months are named after agricultural events or religious festivals.

The following is a list of the twelve Hebrew months, along with their corresponding Gregorian calendar months and their significance in Jewish tradition and history:

Nisan (March/April)

• The first month of the Hebrew year
• The month of Passover, which commemorates the Exodus from Egypt

Iyar (April/May)

• The second month of the Hebrew year
• The month of Lag BaOmer, which commemorates the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Akiva

Sivan (May/June)

• The third month of the Hebrew year
• The month of Shavuot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai

Tammuz (June/July)

• The fourth month of the Hebrew year
• The month of Tisha B’Av, which commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples

Av (July/August)

• The fifth month of the Hebrew year
• The month of the Fast of Av, which commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples

Elul (August/September)

• The sixth month of the Hebrew year
• The month of preparation for the High Holidays

Tishrei (September/October)

• The seventh month of the Hebrew year
• The month of the High Holidays, including Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Cheshvan (October/November)

• The eighth month of the Hebrew year
• The month of the Festival of Sukkot

Kislev (November/December)

• The ninth month of the Hebrew year
• The month of the Festival of Hanukkah

Tevet (December/January)

• The tenth month of the Hebrew year
• The month of the Fast of Tevet, which commemorates the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians

Shevat (January/February), Meses en hebreo y su significado

• The eleventh month of the Hebrew year
• The month of the Festival of Tu Bishvat, which celebrates the new year for trees

Adar (February/March)

• The twelfth month of the Hebrew year
• The month of the Festival of Purim, which commemorates the deliverance of the Jews from the Persian Empire

Meaning of Hebrew month names

The names of the Hebrew months are rich in symbolism and etymology, reflecting the agricultural cycle and the religious significance of the Jewish calendar.

Etymology of the Hebrew month names

The names of the Hebrew months are derived from various sources, including:

• Babylonian origin:Several month names, such as Nisan and Tammuz, are borrowed from the Babylonian calendar.
• Agricultural terms:Months like Iyar and Av are named after agricultural activities associated with that time of year.
• Biblical events:The month of Adar, for example, is named after the Persian festival of Purim, which commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman’s plot.

Symbolism of the Hebrew month names

The names of the Hebrew months also carry symbolic meanings, reflecting the changing seasons and the Jewish religious calendar.

• Nisan:The first month of the Hebrew year, Nisan symbolizes new beginnings and the arrival of spring.
• Iyar:Named after the barley harvest, Iyar represents the bounty of the land.
• Sivan:The month of the giving of the Torah, Sivan symbolizes the covenant between God and the Jewish people.
• Tammuz:Named after the Babylonian god of vegetation, Tammuz represents the summer solstice and the beginning of the harvest.
• Av:The fifth month of the Hebrew year, Av is a time of mourning and remembrance, associated with the destruction of the First and Second Temples.

Months in Jewish liturgy

The Hebrew months play a significant role in Jewish religious practices, serving as a framework for prayers, festivals, and observances throughout the year. Each month is associated with specific themes, rituals, and readings, reflecting the cyclical nature of Jewish life and the connection between the physical and spiritual realms.

• Nisan

Nisan, the first month of the Jewish calendar, marks the beginning of spring and the Exodus from Egypt. It is a month of renewal and liberation, celebrated with the Passover festival and the recitation of the Hallel prayer, which expresses gratitude for God’s deliverance.

• Iyar

Iyar is a month of remembrance and reflection, marked by the observance of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) and Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day for Israeli soldiers). It is also a time for studying Torah and preparing for the upcoming festival of Shavuot.

• Sivan

Sivan is a month of joy and celebration, culminating in the festival of Shavuot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It is a time for learning, feasting, and reciting the Ten Commandments.

• Tammuz

Tammuz is a month of mourning and fasting, marking the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. It is a time for introspection and repentance, and the recitation of special prayers known as Tachanun.

• Av

Av is the saddest month in the Jewish calendar, with three major fast days: Tisha B’Av (the Ninth of Av), commemorating the destruction of both Temples and other tragedies in Jewish history. It is a time for deep reflection and mourning.

• Elul

Elul is a month of preparation for the High Holidays, a time for introspection, repentance, and forgiveness. It is customary to blow the shofar (ram’s horn) each day during Elul to awaken people to the need for spiritual renewal.

• Tishrei

Tishrei is the seventh month of the Jewish calendar and the month of the High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). It is a time for intense prayer, reflection, and reconciliation.

• Cheshvan

Cheshvan is a month of transition, following the High Holidays. It is a time for rest and recovery, and for studying Torah and preparing for the upcoming festivals of Hanukkah and Sukkot.

• Kislev

Kislev is a month of miracles and joy, marked by the festival of Hanukkah, which celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire and the rededication of the Second Temple. It is a time for lighting candles, exchanging gifts, and eating traditional foods.

• Tevet

Tevet is a month of darkness and cold, marked by the shortest day of the year. It is a time for introspection and reflection, and for studying Torah and preparing for the upcoming festival of Tu B’Shevat.

• Shevat

Shevat is a month of renewal and growth, marked by the festival of Tu B’Shevat, which celebrates the new year for trees. It is a time for planting trees, studying Torah, and preparing for the upcoming festival of Purim.

• Adar

Adar is a month of joy and celebration, culminating in the festival of Purim, which commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from the evil Haman. It is a time for feasting, dressing up in costumes, and reading the Megillah (Book of Esther).

• Adar II (in leap years)

Adar II is an extra month added to the Jewish calendar in leap years. It is a time for completing unfinished business and preparing for the upcoming festival of Passover.

Cultural significance of Hebrew months

The Hebrew months hold deep cultural significance in Jewish life, influencing art, music, and literature. They mark significant events, festivals, and agricultural cycles, shaping the rhythms and traditions of Jewish communities.

Jewish art

Hebrew months are often depicted in Jewish art, with each month represented by a unique symbol or motif. For example, the month of Nissan is associated with the Exodus from Egypt, and is often depicted with images of Moses or the parting of the Red Sea.

The month of Elul is associated with repentance and introspection, and is often depicted with images of shofars (ram’s horns) or the High Holidays.

Jewish music

Hebrew months also play a role in Jewish music. Many traditional Jewish songs and melodies are associated with specific months, and are often performed during the corresponding month. For example, the song “Hallel” is traditionally sung during the month of Nisan, while the song “Elul” is traditionally sung during the month of Elul.

Jewish literature

Hebrew months are also mentioned in Jewish literature, both in religious and secular texts. For example, the Talmud contains many discussions of the laws and customs associated with each month. The Mishnah, a collection of Jewish oral laws, also contains a section called “Tractate Rosh Hashanah,” which discusses the laws of the Jewish New Year and the beginning of the Hebrew month of Tishrei.

Comparative analysis: Meses En Hebreo Y Su Significado

The Hebrew months share similarities and differences with months in other cultures. In terms of naming conventions, many Hebrew months are named after agricultural activities or seasonal changes, similar to months in other ancient Near Eastern cultures. For example, the month of Nisan, which marks the beginning of the Hebrew year, is named after the Babylonian word for “new year.”

Similarly, the month of Tishrei, which marks the beginning of the fall harvest, is named after the Akkadian word for “beginning.”

However, there are also some unique aspects to the Hebrew months. For instance, the month of Adar is the only month that can have 29 or 30 days, depending on the year. This is because the Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which means that it is based on both the solar year and the lunar cycle.

As a result, the Hebrew months can vary in length from 29 to 30 days.

In terms of cultural significance, the Hebrew months play an important role in Jewish life. Many Jewish holidays are associated with specific Hebrew months. For example, the holiday of Passover is celebrated in the month of Nisan, while the holiday of Sukkot is celebrated in the month of Tishrei.

The Hebrew months also serve as a way to mark the passage of time and to connect with the Jewish past.

Comparative table

The following table provides a comparative analysis of the Hebrew months with months in other cultures:

Hebrew month	Meaning	Similar months in other cultures
Nisan	New year	Babylonian Nisannu
Iyar	Barley harvest	Babylonian Ayaru
Sivan	Wheat harvest	Babylonian Simanu
Tammuz	Hot summer month	Babylonian Du’uzu
Av	Father’s month	Babylonian Abu
Elul	Search for God	Babylonian Ululu
Tishrei	Beginning of fall harvest	Babylonian Tashritu
Cheshvan	Eighth month	Babylonian Arahsamna
Kislev	Rainy month	Babylonian Kislimu
Tevet	Muddy month	Babylonian Tebetu
Shevat	Tribe of Judah	Babylonian Shabatu
Adar	Leaping month	Babylonian Adaru

Question Bank

¿Cuántos meses hay en el calendario hebreo?

Hay 12 meses en el calendario hebreo.

¿Cuál es el primer mes del año hebreo?

Nisán es el primer mes del año hebreo.

¿Qué mes hebreo se celebra Janucá?

Janucá se celebra en el mes hebreo de Kislev.