how does the jewish calendar compared to our calendar

Question

Evelyn · Accepted Answer

The main difference between the Jewish calendar and the calendar most commonly used around the world, the Gregorian calendar, is that the Jewish calendar is lunisolar, while the Gregorian calendar is solar. Here's a breakdown of the key differences:

Basis:

Jewish: Lunisolar - Months follow the cycle of the moon (29.5 days) with adjustments made to keep in sync with the solar year.
Gregorian: Solar - Years follow the cycle of the sun (365.25 days).

Evelyn · Answer

Here's an analogy: Imagine the Jewish calendar as a combination of two gears: a large gear for the solar year and a smaller gear for the lunar month. They mesh together but don't perfectly align, so every few cycles they need an adjustment (leap month) to stay roughly synchronized.

Evelyn · Answer

Holidays:

Jewish: Holidays always fall on the same day of the Jewish calendar, but their date on the Gregorian calendar changes from year to year.

Evelyn · Answer

Start of Year:

Jewish: Rosh Hashanah falls in the fall (between September and November on the Gregorian calendar).
Gregorian: January 1st.

Evelyn · Answer

Months:

Jewish: 12 months with either 29 or 30 days.
Gregorian: 12 months with varying lengths (28 to 31 days).

Evelyn · Answer

Length of Year:

Jewish: Averages 354 days, with an extra "leap month" added about every 2-3 years to stay roughly aligned with the solar year.
Gregorian: 365 days, with an extra leap day added every four years (except for some exceptions).