Yahrzeit Calculator – How to Use It and What It Means

The Yahrzeit Calculator is a tool that helps individuals determine the annual Hebrew calendar date (Yahrzeit) on which to commemorate the anniversary of a loved one’s passing.

In Jewish tradition, the Yahrzeit is observed each year on the same date in the Hebrew calendar as the person’s death. On this date, family and friends may light a candle, recite the Kaddish prayer, attend synagogue, and engage in acts of charity in the deceased’s memory.

Because the Hebrew calendar is lunar-based and does not match the Gregorian calendar exactly, the Yahrzeit date shifts each year in the Western calendar. This calculator helps you determine those dates accurately for years ahead.

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How to Use the Yahrzeit Calculator

Step 1: Enter the Gregorian Date of Passing

• Select the date of your loved one’s passing in the Gregorian calendar.
• This is typically the official date recorded on legal documents.

Step 2: Enter the Number of Years You Want to Calculate

• You can choose how many future Yahrzeit dates you want.
• For example, if you enter 10, you’ll see the next 10 Yahrzeit dates.

Step 3: Click “Calculate Yahrzeit Dates”

• The calculator will instantly display:
  • The Gregorian date for each year’s Yahrzeit.
  • The corresponding Hebrew date in the Hebrew calendar.

Step 4: Record the Dates

• You can note them down for personal reminders or for synagogue records.

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Example Calculation

If the date of passing was October 15, 2023, and you choose 5 years, the calculator might show:

Gregorian Date	Hebrew Date
Oct 15, 2024	11 Tishrei 5785
Oct 15, 2025	23 Tishrei 5786
Oct 14, 2026	3 Cheshvan 5787
…	…

This variation happens because the Hebrew months are based on lunar cycles.

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Why This Calculator Matters

The Hebrew date is central in Jewish mourning and memorial practices.

• Synagogue announcements for Yahrzeit are based on Hebrew dates.
• Yahrzeit candles are lit the evening before the Hebrew date begins.
• Prayers such as Kaddish are recited on the day itself.

Manually converting Gregorian dates to Hebrew dates for multiple years can be complex—this calculator simplifies it.

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FAQ – Yahrzeit Calculator

What is a Yahrzeit?
A Yahrzeit is the annual anniversary of a person’s death, observed on the same date in the Hebrew calendar.

Why does the date change each year in the Gregorian calendar?
The Hebrew calendar follows lunar months, so it shifts compared to the solar Gregorian calendar.

How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator uses the Hebrew calendar conversion available in modern browsers. It provides accurate civil-to-Hebrew date conversions, but for precise halachic observance—especially around leap years or deaths occurring in Adar—consult a rabbi.

Can I calculate dates for someone who passed long ago?
Yes. You can input any past Gregorian date, and the tool will compute future Yahrzeits.

Does it account for deaths at night?
In Jewish law, the Hebrew day begins at sunset. If death occurred after sunset, the Yahrzeit might be on the next Hebrew date. This calculator assumes the civil date; check with your rabbi if unsure.