Seasons and holidays have a profound impact on cultures worldwide, and Israel, with its rich history and traditions, is no different. Whether you’re learning Hebrew to connect with your heritage or to engage deeply with Israeli culture, knowing the right words can help you to celebrate these special times of year with authenticity. Here’s a list of seasonal Hebrew words you might encounter during various holidays and celebrations.

חַג (Chag) — Festival or holiday.

בחודש הבא יש לנו שני חגים גדולים.
In the next month, we have two big holidays.

רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה (Rosh Hashanah) — Jewish New Year.

אנחנו אוכלים תפוחים בדבש בראש השנה.
We eat apples with honey on Rosh Hashanah.

יוֹם כִּיפּוּר (Yom Kippur) — Day of Atonement.

יום כיפור הוא יום צום ותפילה.
Yom Kippur is a day of fasting and prayer.

סוּכּוֹת (Sukkot) — Feast of Tabernacles.

מהרגע שחג הסוכות מתחיל, אנו יוצאים לאכול בסוכה.
As soon as the Sukkot festival begins, we go out to eat in the sukkah.

חֲנֻכָּה (Hanukkah) — Festival of Lights.

בחנוכה אנחנו מדליקים את המנורה.
During Hanukkah, we light the menorah.

פּוּרִים (Purim) — Purim.

בפורים אנשים לובשים תחפושות ושולחים משלוחי מנות.
On Purim, people wear costumes and send gift baskets.

פֶּסַח (Pesach) — Passover.

בחג הפסח אנו אוכלים מצה במקום לחם.
During Passover, we eat matzah instead of bread.

שָׁבוּעוֹת (Shavuot) — Feast of Weeks, marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

בחג שבועות נהוג לאכול מאכלים דרוכים חלב.
On Shavuot, it is customary to eat dairy foods.

תְּשׁוּעָה (Teshuva) — Repentance, often associated with the High Holy Days.

התקופה לפני יום כיפור היא זמן של תשועה וחשבון נפש.
The period before Yom Kippur is a time for teshuva and self-reflection.

מִשְׁלוֹחַ מָנוֹת (Mishloach Manot) — Sending of portions, referring to the gifts of food that are sent to friends and family on Purim.

שילחתי לחברים שלי משלוח מנות עם עוגות ופירות.
I sent my friends mishloach manot with cakes and fruits.

סֵדֶר (Seder) — Order, refers to the ritual Passover dinner.

בליל הסדר קוראים אנו את ההגדה ואוכלים מאכלים סימבוליים.
On the Seder night, we read the Haggadah and eat symbolic foods.

שַׁבָּת (Shabbat) — Sabbath, the day of rest, from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

כל שבוע אנו נפרשים לקראת קבלת השבת.
Every week, we prepare to welcome the Shabbat.

These words tap into the very essence of Hebrew culture and offer a window into the cycle of life and spirituality in Israel. Learning these terms not only broadens your vocabulary but also enriches your understanding of Hebrew-speaking communities. Whether you’re celebrating a חג (chag) with friends, breaking matzah during פֶּסַח (Pesach), or attending a סֵדֶר (Seder), these words help to cultivate a closer connection to the traditions that shape the Hebrew calendar.