Just as Rosh Hashanah arrived very early this year, so too is Chanukah. The first candle will be lit on Wednesday evening, December 1st. For those of you who understand the Jewish calendar, you know that our holidays move around because our calendar is based on lunar months. Lunar months being only 28-29 days in duration, our year is shorter than a solar year. Without any corrections, our holidays would come earlier and earlier each year. Eventually, Passover would be in the middle of winter, and then in the Fall. So, in order to keep the Spring holidays in the Spring and the Autumn holidays in Autumn, the Rabbis devised a system whereby we add a “leap month” every so many years to make a correction. Having very early holidays is a clue that a correction is coming. And consequently, this year the month of Adar will be repeated. This occurs in March and February. This correction will allow Passover to fall in mid April this year, just about on time. This, despite the old saying, “Jewish holidays are always early or late, but never on time”!
The South Hills JCC is holding its annual Chanukah party on Monday, Dec 6. See the attached flyer.
And lest we forget that Thanksgiving is a day set aside to thank God for the manifold blessings He has bestowed on us, be reminded that we are having Thanksgiving morning services, 9:00 AM. I know that some of you will be away visiting families. Go in good health and come back in good health. Have a wonderful holiday.