Hebrew Month Names Originate from Babylonian Culture, Not Purely Hebrew
While Jewish holidays are observed according to the Hebrew calendar and Israeli law mandates its use in official documents, most Israelis operate by the Gregorian calendar. The names of the Hebrew months, however, are not purely Hebrew in origin. They were adopted from Babylonian culture, with their roots in the Akkadian language, an ancient Semitic tongue.
One month name, Tammuz, directly conflicts with Jewish belief as it refers to a Mesopotamian fertility god worshipped by the Babylonians and Sumerians. Dr. Esther Haber of Bar-Ilan University notes the irony of criticizing names like 'July' when Tammuz itself is named after a Sumerian deity. Other month names like Adar, Nisan, Iyar, and Sivan also derive from Akkadian, which, despite its Semitic roots similar to Hebrew, is considered foreign in this context.
Historically, the Hebrew Bible often referred to months by number, with Nisan as the first. Earlier biblical texts mention Canaanite names like 'Yerah Bul' (Marcheshvan) and 'Yerah Ethanim' (Tishrei). The Babylonian names became prevalent only in later biblical books like Zechariah and Esther, following the Jewish exile in Babylon in the 6th century BCE.
Rabbinic authorities have addressed the use of these foreign names. Maimonides suggested the names were adopted to commemorate the second redemption, similar to how the Exodus was commemorated. Others proposed that 'Tammuz' might refer to 'heat' rather than the deity. Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky cited a Talmudic explanation that the name Tammuz was retained to remember the desecration of the Temple on the 17th of Tammuz, thus serving as a reminder for repentance.
Interpretations of other month names also exist. Tishrei, from Akkadian 'Tashritu,' means 'beginning.' Marcheshvan's name is believed to stem from the Akkadian 'Warah Shamnu,' meaning 'eighth month,' reflecting an older calendar system. Kislev's meaning is unclear, while Tevet and Shevat are likely linked to the rainy weather of those months. Adar's original meaning might be 'dark' or 'gloomy,' contrasting with its association with joy in Jewish tradition. Nisan signifies 'first fruits,' and Iyar and Sivan's meanings are uncertain.
Attempts to 'Judaize' these Babylonian names have been made throughout history. For example, some traditions interpret Av as 'father of calamities' and Elul as an acronym for 'I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine.' Yemenite Jewish manuscripts offer interpretations linking Nisan to miracles, Iyar to manna, and Tishrei to forgiveness, among others. These efforts reflect a historical discomfort with foreign names and a desire to align them with Jewish values and narratives.
