birthday

Observance of Hebrew birthdays

Note: The observance of Yom Hashana (yarhzeit) is discussed under its own section.

The observance of an anniversary (including a birthday) in the civil (Gregorian/Julian) calendar is a piece of cake. There is only one exception to consider, February 29th in leap years. Those who were born or married on that date can choose to observe the event on either February 28th or on March 1st in those years that are not leap years. Since there are no halachic considerations, the choice is unimportant.

However, we aren't concerned about the civil calendar, are we? Our main concern is how to observe an anniversary according to the Hebrew calendar and halacha. The Hebrew calendar presents a special problem in that there are two months that can vary in length, and some years have an entire leap month added. Therefore, a special set of rules has been formulated to establish the proper halachic date of an anniversary.

Anniversary on the 30th of Cheshvan or Kislev

Observed on the 30th if it exists.
If the month only has 29 days, then observed on the 1st of the next month.

Anniversary in Adar of an ordinary year

In an ordinary year, observed in Adar in ordinary year.
In a leap year, observed in Adar II.

Anniversary in Adar I of a leap year

In an ordinary year, observed in Adar.
In a leap year, observed in Adar I.

Anniversary on the 30th of Adar I

In an ordinary year, observed on the 1st of Nisan.
In a leap year, observed on the 30th of Adar I.

Anniversary in Adar II

In an ordinary year, observed in Adar.
In a leap year, observed in Adar II.