Celebrations

In the Jewish or Jewish calendar the major festivals go hand in hand with the full moon. The Old Testament calendar has its roots in the feast system and the agricultural cycle. The feast system was instituted by Moses and began with Passover, which commemorated their exodus from Egypt (biblical dating, 15th century BCE). As far as the agricultural cycle was concerned, it culminated in the harvest of the fruits (Ex. 23/16b).

Ceremonial covers for Sether's plate.

According to the Book of Jubilees, the observance of all the feasts was shown on a chart, fixed on the same day of the week. The year was divided into four quarters, each of 13 weeks. The four quarters were divided into three months of thirty days, with an extra day in each quarter. The year always began on Friday. No holiday fell on a Sabbath.

Calendar (source: Jewish Community of Thessaloniki)