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The error is very slight, and the Jewish calendar follows the average moon quite well. On balance, the Jewish calendar is more lunar than solar. |
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In summary, the Jewish calendar is structurally quite complex, since it must serve three masters the sun, the moon, and religious injunction. Historically, it has managed this juggling act quite well, by virtue of the care and thought given to its implementation. The compromises necessary to implement the calendar created some small internal problems, which have grown larger over time. The religious component of the calendar has largely prevented the introduction of the flexibility that is required to correct the errors. Technically, the calendar is already failing its original mission in one area. |
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9.4.1.2
Historical Background |
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The history of the Jewish calendar is lengthy, so this section will only treat certain salient parts that deal with the current structure. |
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Like most ancient cultures in the Middle East, the Jews used a lunisolar calendar, which was based upon direct observation of the new moon and required periodic intercalation of a 13th month. Like all early calendars, the Jewish calendar had a very strong religious component. |
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Little is known about the calendar in the time of the bondage to the Egyptians, but Biblical references indicate that the Egyptians were highly regarded in the first millennium B.C. for their knowledge of the calendar. |
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Following the establishment of a state in Israel, the government was first unified and then divided into two kingdoms one in the north and one in the south. The northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 B.C., and the southern kingdom was conquered by Babylonia in 586 B.C. |
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After the 70-year period of the Babylonian Captivity, many Jews returned to Palestine. Regardless of the prior state of the Jewish calendar, the calendar as it existed after this period bears a very strong resemblance to the Babylonian calendar. |
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The months of the Babylonian calendar are: |
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6.) Ululu, Ululu II intercalated in spring |
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12.)Addaru, Addaru II intercalated in autumn |
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