The Jewish Calendar

Updated August 31, 2022 | Infoplease Staff

The Jewish calendar is based on both solar and lunar years. The average lunar year of about 354 days is adjusted to the solar year by the addition of a leap year and an intercalary month. Nisan is considered the first month, although the new year begins with Rosh Hashanah, on the first of Tishri, which is in fact the seventh month-the calendar has different starting points for different purposes. The year 2021 translates to the Jewish year 5781–5782. The year 2022 translates to the Jewish year 5782–5783.