Opinion
Let's return to the Hebrew calendar
Ron Breiman
Published: 09.09.07, 07:14
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1. Why do we get our salaries according to
Marian Paroo ,   Tel Aviv   (09.09.07)
... the Gregorian calender come to think of it? I suppose that has to do with easier accounting, Gregorian leap years don't add an extra month every couple of years.
2. Breiman's ignorance
Michael ,   Haifa   (09.09.07)
The ignorant Breiman forgets to take into account that several of the Hebrew months have their origins in the names of pagan deities. maybe the Professors for a Stronger Israel find their strength in primitive paganism.
3. The Babylonian calendar is not the Hebrew
Josh   (09.09.07)
Currently we are not on a Hebrew calendar rather a Babylonian calendar. Remember the scholars from Israel were kidnapped - why? So the Jews could be undermined with magic and misinformation - Kabbalah (magic - the Magi were Babylonian), Gnostic noblemen, chet ceremonies, and a false calendar. Balaam & Baalak could not curse Jaccob's tents - "because there was no magic in the". Return to the straight Torah. Really someone should read and research Torah. You cant do Torah if you follow the wrong information. Torah bpeh is chet. Rabbis?! B'emet - noo cvar.
4. Total nonsense...
Aharon   (09.09.07)
"One of them, Tzipi Livni, talks loudly and repeatedly about the "two-state-solution", namely the anti-Zionist vision." I'm sick of this right wing lie that's repeated over and over and over and over again. Zionism is not about greedily grabbing as much land as we possibly can at the expense of another people. Zionism is about a JEWISH HOMELAND. It is YOU who is anti-Zionist by claiming that we should continue to hold on to these Arabs in the OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, who have NO DESIRE to be a part of our country. As to using the Jewish calendar: Get over it. We use the Gregorian calendar because frankly its the most commonly used in the world, and it's just easier.
5. Great Article Mr. Breiman
David ,   USA   (09.09.07)
"In these days of desperation and loss of way, it is extremely important to return to our roots, and to bring back hope and Zionism to the Land of Israel. This is an existential need, no matter if one belongs to the right or left of the political spectrum, or if one is religious or non-religious in his way of life. The Hebrew calendar is also the common denominator of Jews throughout the world that will soon start their new year. " ^^^^^^Very well said!
6. Return to calendar?...First month is Nissan/Aviv.
Rachel ,   Tel Aviv   (09.09.07)
Torah calls it the "head of the months". Get rid of Rosh HaShannah as the "new year celebration since it's the Babylonian new year celebration and change the name of the month of "tammuz" which is named after a Babylonian god.
7. The Calendar
mark ,   israel   (09.09.07)
I once had a very dear friend in South Africa who was a senior minister in one of the Black Churches. On asking him what he envied most about the Jewish People, he answered, "Your calendar because it is that, that has allowed you to preserve your identity wherever you are. Outstanding article Professor!
8. #1 Salaries according to Gregorian calendar
Joseph P. ,   Jerusalem   (09.09.07)
Otherwise, the employers who pay on a monthly basis or the monthly rent, will every 2-3 years have to add an additional month of payment.
9. The Hebrew calendar needs to be corrected to 5998
Rivkah   (09.09.07)
instead of 5968 according to "The Jerusalem Report" some time ago. This would be a good time to do that. It is important because the Messiah comes around the time of the seventh millenium from Adam. We are much closer to that blessed event that people realize. Many say, there are 232 years before the seventh millenium and put off being ready. It is only TWO YEARS before the seventh millenium if "The Jerusalem Report" scholars are correct. I think they are right if the confirmation of RESOLUTION 666 by the New ENPI seven year treaty is the Covenant with Death the Prophet Daniel warned about. The New ENPI was signed in 2007 which means the Messiah comes seven years from that signing if that is the Covenant with Death.
10. #4 Aharon: Pope Gregory changed times and the law by
Rivkah   (09.09.07)
changing the calendar as Moses did (times) and the day of the Shabbat (to Sunday from Saturday) which caused great division and persecutions for the Jews by the Catholics. It would be better called the Grizzly Calendar. In addition, some of the months are names after pagan gods like Janus and Mars for January and March which should be an offense to Jews. It may be more practical to have a bloody Gregorian calendar, but I have to think replacing it with something more godly is something to think about.
11. Joseph P , Yeroushalaim
charles ,   petach tikva   (09.09.07)
As the Jewish calendar months are shorter , they can diminish the salary accordingly . So their expenses will stay the same .
12. Why are the religious usually ignorant?
Sidney ,   USA   (09.09.07)
"A great influence was exerted on the Hebrew calendar during Babylonian exile, which began in the sixth century B.C. When Israelites returned to the holy land from Babylon, they returned with what was essentially their captor's lunisolar calendar. 3 This calendar is still in use in our time, more than two thousand years after Babylonian civilization came to an end. Even today, after considerable evolution, the Jewish religious calendar is Babylonian down to the very names of its months."
13. Did'nt understand article one bit.
(09.09.07)
Maybe the writer could have wrote a little clearer for the reader. Don't see a problem with school year starting the usual time. Kids still learn about holidays anyway.
14. Finally some common sense
Eliezer ,   Newark, USA   (09.09.07)
If we want a strong Jewish state we must first take pride in being Jewish. Otherwise, there is a lot of farmland in New Jersey
15. Good idea! Let's bring back polygamy and blood sacrifice too
(09.09.07)
16. re: #4 Get over it.
Jameel ,   Shomron   (09.09.07)
And since the Gregorian calender is the most common, we should use it? Chinese is much more common than Hebrew, why don't we speak that too? And while we're at it, Christianity is much more common than Judaism..let's all convert! Stop being so embarrassed by Judaism. You don't like it? Make yerida to Europe. Jameel muqata.blogspot.com
17. It's simple, really
Enemy of State ,   Judea   (09.09.07)
The Israelis CAN'T change the school calendar to the Jewish calendar. If they decided to start the school year in Elul, all the secular Tel Avivim would say, " What's Elul?"
18. No Crime Without Punishment-Nullum Crimen Sine Poena
Adina Kutnicki ,   US   (09.09.07)
It is PRECISELY due to what this Professor articulates that a Jewish National Assembly Convention to appoint new leaders is of utmost urgency. There is simply no sane reason to live in the most violent region of the world if Israel is to become a 'state of all its citzens'-Israeli, as opposed to a Jewish State. Due to their deluded, and in some cases malevolent zeal to take Judaism out of Israel, it will come to pass where being in Israel will be NO different than being in NYC or LA. These derelict ministers are giving a wink and a nod to the destruction of our homeland in its TOTAL essence. By overtly and covertly allowing the Muslim Wafq to DESTROY the Temple Mount, the Israeli leadership is paving the way for Peres's 'New Middle East'. Please read my article at Arutz Sheva or Israel Insider, 'No Crime Without Punishment' where I explain the machinations of the regime and their end game. Search for it in the Opinion section under my name if you are so inclined.
19. The writer is a secular Jew living in Tel Aviv.
Dr. Ron Breiman ,   Tel Aviv   (09.09.07)
The writer is a secular Jew living in Tel Aviv. #17: Please note what I wrote in the last paragraph: .............. This is an existential need, no matter if one belongs to the right or left of the political spectrum, or if one is religious or non-religious in his way of life. .................
20. #19 With no knowledge of Jewish history
Sidney ,   USA   (09.09.07)
He wrote "For more than 3,500 years these holidays have been celebrated on the first and tenth day of Tishri (the first month of the Jewish calendar), long before the Christian calendar was invented." The farthest back that there is documentation for an Israelite people is 3200 years. The Israelites did not use the Babylonian calendar. It was adopted after the Babylonian exile and reflects the culture of Babylon not anything Jewish. A simple use of Google will verify this.
21. #19 The Hebrew Calendar
Sidney ,   USA   (09.09.07)
Babylonian Month Name Month Number Hebrew Month Name Month Number Nisanu 1 Nissan 1 Ayaru 2 Iyar 2 Simanu 3 Sivan 3 Du'uzu 4 Tammuz 4 Abu 5 Av 5 Ululu 6 Elul 6 Tashritu 7 Tishrei 7 Arach-Samna 8 Cheshvan 8 Kislimu 9 Kislev 9 Shabatu 10 Shevat 11 Tebetu 11 Tevet 10 Adaru 12 Adar 12
22. G-D bless Dr. Ron Breiman with a good and sweet year :-)
(09.09.07)
23. Proud to be a Jew? What a concept!
Ruth K.   (09.09.07)
Breiman has a great idea. Emphasis on the Jewish calendar gives children awareness of their own rich cultural history and instills pride. The current education minister wants Israeli children to feel ashamed of their country and of their history. She, and her harmful policies, should be replaced.
24. If easier the Gregorian, make English the Israeli language
dave ,   VENEZUELA   (09.10.07)
I never noticed that the hebrew calendar (Babilonian?ok) was not in use in Israel. As a non hebrew speaker Ir wish Israel use the Hebrew calendar. It make sense, but if is easier the Gregorian, then make english or arabic the national language. (sorry for the cinical remark)
25. Hebrew calendar
Gary A. Glaser ,   Hutchinson, MN, USA   (09.10.07)
I'm surprised the Israeli school system doesn't use the Hebrew calender. The author makes some great points. Incidently, I'm not even Jewish, but I know I was born on Adar 18, 5702.
26. #15-what's the problem with those?
CZ ,   USA   (09.10.07)
27. Sidney - Thank you
Josh   (09.10.07)
It is so sad that no one here really cares that they use a pagan calendar. No one cares that they may be observing the holidays at the wrong time. So is G-d waiting for us an we missed the appointment. Are we eating bread on the true Pesach? Of course we are. No one cares that Rabbis add to Torah despite it being forbidden and despite its obviousness. People accept the lie that Torah has been passed uncorrupted by the sages, yet the neveem wrote it and its printed right in Torah that this is not true. When G-d tested the Jews in Devareem 13, he wanted to know if they loved him. This means they embrace what "He" gave them. Instead Israel embraces het additions to Torah under Torah bpeh. G-d reminded each of us that we dont need someone to get Torah for us, It is between G-d and each individual, yet everyone turns to someone else to get it for them. The examples abound. Worse we accept lame excuses from those who corrupt Torah. If you tell them something they should be interested in for G-d's sake they will not listen but rather ask the Rabbis, is it true you are adding illegally to the Torah. Its like asking a car salesman if the car is worth the money. They reject the straight and truthful reading of the text for something that only parallels Gan Eden in its ridiculous out-of-context reading of sentence fragments (gematra, etc.). Meat molecules on a plate are attached to "al tvashel gedi bhalav emo". You shall not remove a word from Torah, so boil, kid, mother's milk, are all the context. They follow men who dress like Christian noblemen and make objects’ that have kabalistic rituals and powers. The same objects used by Gnostics (Christian noblemen). So G-d has his answer. If anyone cares about G-d they care about the truth. Will anyone stand for Him or will they all think they are just part of one big social club who are free to walk at a distance from the true Torah? I implore out of respect for G-d, Torah and Israel, for its own sake, that Israel return to the straight and narrow of Torah. Israel needs to stop asking why bad things are set against Israel – we know why, lets get back on the good side of Torah. One G-d one love Back to the true Hebrew calendar for Holidays. Lets stop missing our appointments with G-d.
28. Jewish Calendar
Frank Goldberg ,   Baltimore, USA   (09.10.07)
Israelis should not just go back to observing the normal, God-given, calendar but should, in fact, follow all of the Torah and God's commandments. This includes not giving away part of Israel, God's land, to the (infidel) muslims which will lead to the worse of all the tribulations (judgments) that have ever befallen the nation of Israel.
29. #16 Attacking a straw man
Aharon   (09.10.07)
Jameel from the West Bank, You are doing what the right does best: villifying everyone who disagrees with you by attacking a straw man. I love Judaism, and my family has lived on this land far far far longer than yours have - so if anyone should be returning to Europe, it is you. Not to mention I was never from Europe, I am a Mizrahi Jew. Now, as to your "arguments"... The Gregorian calendar is used universally, not only in Christian countries. If you want to use the Jewish calendar alongsde it, be my guest, I don't plan to stop you. But for practical purposes, the Jewish calendar is more or less useless in our world today. This is the same reason why I support teaching Arabic in Israeli schools - it has a practical use, particularly in our part of the world.
30. #8 - I know, and always assumed
Marian Paroo ,   Tel Aviv   (09.10.07)
that this is one of the reasons the Hebrew calendar isn't isn't the official calendar for Israel. I just wanted to see if anyone who really wants to go to the Hebrew calendar could find a way to work with the framework of the Hebrew leap years. Anyone?
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