Karaite Jewish Calendar 2026/ 2027
- Chaim ben Abraham
- Feb 23
- 1 min read
In this PDF you’ll find the official calendar of Universal Karaite Judaism. It includes a greeting/seasonal message from the Chief Sage (Haḥam HaRaschi) HaRav Simeon ben Yehoshua Firuz, as well as a message from the Chairman of the Supreme Council, Mordechai (Moti) Menashe—with words of encouragement, unity, and strength for challenging times.
✅ Purpose: The calendar is used to determine the beginnings of the months (Rosh Chodesh) based on the possibility of sighting the new moon crescent (in relation to Israel), and therefore also to set the festivals/holidays and fast days. It also explains the key principles: time calculations (Ramla horizon), Shabbat/holiday onset, astronomical details (conjunction/M.H.), and the Karaite approach (Scripture, analogy, and tradition).
📌 Important: this is the only official and binding calendar of Universal Karaite Judaism and is issued/distributed by the Council of Sages.
For those of us in diaspora, should not the local moon be utilized? As I understand it, this has been the view of the majority of Karaite sages and also the view of the former Chief Hakham. Yet this calendar is said to be “the only official and binding calendar of Universal Karaite Judaism,” but yet it is based on moon sighting calculations from Ramle. Is this meant only for Karaites living in Israel or for Karaites worldwide?