Your Hebrew birthday is the date on the Jewish calendar corresponding to your birth date. Since the Hebrew calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar, your Hebrew birthday falls on a different English date each year.
What is a Hebrew Birthday?
A Hebrew birthday (also called Jewish birthday) is the anniversary of your birth according to the Hebrew calendar. While the English date of your birthday stays the same each year, your Hebrew birthday shifts because the Jewish calendar is lunisolar.
Why is the Hebrew Birthday Important?
- Bar/Bat Mitzvah - Calculated from the Hebrew birthday (13 for boys, 12 for girls)
- Yahrzeit - Memorial anniversaries are observed on Hebrew dates
- Spiritual significance - Kabbalah teaches your mazal (fortune) is stronger on your Hebrew birthday
- Birthday blessings - Many say special prayers on their Hebrew birthday
How to Find Your Hebrew Birthday
- Know your birth date and time - The Hebrew day begins at sunset, so evening births may be the next Hebrew date
- Use a Hebrew date converter - Our calculator instantly converts any date
- Note if it was after sunset - If born after sunset, your Hebrew birthday is the following day
Special Cases
Born in Adar During a Leap Year
If you were born in Adar during a regular year, in a leap year (which has two Adars), your birthday is typically celebrated in Adar II. However, some celebrate in Adar I if born in that position.
Born on the 30th of a Month
Some Hebrew months have only 29 days. If your birthday is on the 30th of a month that sometimes has only 29 days, you would celebrate on the 1st of the following month in short years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use our Hebrew Birthday Calculator to find when your Hebrew birthday falls this year and in future years.
Calculate NowIf you were born after sunset, your Hebrew birthday is actually the following Hebrew date. For example, born at 8 PM on a Tuesday might mean your Hebrew birthday is Wednesday on the Jewish calendar.
Traditions include giving to charity, studying Torah, saying extra prayers, receiving an aliyah to the Torah, and gathering with family and friends for a festive meal.