yahrzeit
Observance of Yom Hashana (yahrzeit)
Note: The observance of anniversaries (including birthdays) is discussed under its own section.The commemoration of a yom hashana (yarhrzeit) in the civil (Gregorian/Julian) calendar is irrelevant since it has no halachic significance.
The yom hashana is set one full Hebrew year from the date of death. Therefore, if it is a Hebrew leap year (having 13 months) it is commemorated 13 months later. The principle followed is that the yom hashana is always commemorated in the same month and on the same day.
The Hebrew calendar however 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 the yom hashana. There are various opinions as to how to deal with some of the exceptions (the extra days of Cheshvan, Kislev, and the problems associated with Adar I and Adar II). Kaluach sets the date of the yom hashana (yahrzeit) according to the most commonly used rules.
Death on the 30th of Cheshvan or Kislev
- If the month in the first year after death has 30 days, then the yom hashana is commemorated on the 30th if it exists. If not, then then it falls on the 1st of the next month.
- If the month in the first year after death has 29 days, then the yom hashana is commemorated on the 30th if it exists. If not, then it falls on the 29th.
- In an ordinary year, then the yom hashana is commemorated in Adar.
- In a leap year, the yom hashana is commemorated in Adar I.
- In an ordinary year, the yom hashana is commemorated in Adar.
- In a leap year, the yom hashana is commemorated in Adar I.
- In an ordinary year, the yom hashana is commemorated on the 30th of Shevat.
- In a leap year the yom hashana is commemorated on the 30th of Adar I.
- In an ordinary year, the yom hashana is commemorated in Adar.
- In a leap year, the yom hashana is commemorated in Adar II.