There are several major Jewish holidays that are celebrated at certain points in the annual cycle, which form the basis of the ritual and define the meaning of the festival days.

These include:

• Rosh Hashanah - the New Year.
• Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement.
• Sukkot - the Festival of Booths.
• Hanukkah - the Festival of Restoration.
• Purim - Festival of Destiny.
• Pesach (Passover) - The Feast of Spring or Unleavened Bread, Matzah, Freedom.
• Shavuot (Pentecost) - the Feast of First Fruits.