February 7, 2007
On Intercalating My Birthday
Those of you familiar with the Hebrew calendar know that there is a 19-year cycle. That is to say, if all things work out correctly, the Hebrew date and the Gregorian date should coincide every 19 years. It follows that ones 19th Hebrew and Gregorian birthdays would coincide as well. That is, of course, unless you are me.
For some strange reason, I am a cosmic anomaly. According to every Hebrew to English calendar converter that I have consulted, although in 1977, February 7th and 19 Shevat fell out on the same day, nineteen years later, in 1996, they did not. My 19th birthday was off by not one, but two whole days (February 7th 1996 was 17 Shevat). The reason for this, based on an examination of the calendar, is that 5756 (1996, as it were) was shleimah, meaning it had 355 days, one more than a normal year, due to both Cheshvan and Kislev having 30 days. 5737 (or 1977) was actually chaserah, 353 days. So by the time Shevat 5756 rolled around, the calendars were off by two days.
Interestingly, the fact that 1996 was a leap year helped somewhat to set things back into place; the extra day in February left a single days' difference between the Gregorian and Hebrew calendars. The calendars were finally realigned on December 11, 1996, as 5757 was chaserah, while 5738 was k'sidrah. So, for those of you playing along at home, if you were born:
- From Nov. 23, 1976-Dec. 21, 1976: Your Gregorian 19th birthday was off by one day from your Hebrew birthday.
- From Dec. 22, 1976-Feb. 28, 1977: Your Gregorian 19th birthday was off by two from your Hebrew birthday.
- From Mar. 1, 1977-Dec. 10, 1977: Your Gregorian 19th birthday was off by one day from your Hebrew birthday.
The reason this happens is that, while the Hebrew calendar follows the 19-year metonic cycle, this only accounts for leap years. It does not determine the number of days in a year, which is instead determined by the day of the week on which Rosh Hashannah falls out (and some other stuff). I'm sure there is a way of combining the two to come up with a formula for figuring when things fall out when, but I'll leave that as an exercise to the reader.
Why am I telling you all this? Well, it just so happens, through another strange series of events, that this year, on my 30th birthday, both my Hebrew and Gregorian birthdays coincide (although not on the same day of the week as originally - which would be asking too much). So for all you '77ers who felt cheated back in '96, this year, you shall at last have satisfaction. Enjoy it; the next time the two will coincide is the year 2053.
Happy Birthday, Greg!
Funny thing is : I was actually wondering about this 'cuz wife's birthday is tomorrow. She's also a 77'er.
Thanks for the update.
Posted by: mike at February 7, 2007 5:17 AMHappy Birthday!
I have the same problem myself. I've checked the calendar for the next 200+ years, and my Hebrew birthday will never even coincide with my Gregorian birthday. When I was 19, it was off by one day. Not sure about the rest, as its been a while since I checked.
Posted by: aishel at February 7, 2007 7:11 AMHappy Birthday!
Posted by: David G. at February 7, 2007 7:51 AMHappy Birthday!! That is totally wierd that your Hebrew and English b-days fall out together this year. When I was 19 they were a day apart, but the last two 19 year cycles (yes, I'm that old) they were on same day!! Hope I wasn't the family member to foil P's plans..sorry if I was. enjoy ... ad meah v'esrim shana!! Love, BubbyT, Shvigs etc
Posted by: shvigs at February 7, 2007 8:42 AMNo Ma, you were just one of the many- not the latest in the plan. Not to worry.
Posted by: peninah at February 7, 2007 9:07 AMHappy Birthday! I just checked, and my birthday will also coincide this year - cool!
Posted by: Shoshana at February 7, 2007 9:29 AMHappy Birthday GREG!!!
Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago...January 20, Rosh Chodesh Shvat, and I'm the BIG 3...0. Funny, we also both married women a few months older than us. Hope it is an enjoyable day.
Posted by: Avrumi at February 7, 2007 10:10 AMthis is a cool phenomenon...I need to check mine?
As far as how I feel about your birthday...I have many wonderful memories from the 30 years of having you in my life and I look forward to lots more. I hope that today, no matter what the "plans" are(and no matter who messed them up?!?!oh, well)you can reflect on your many blessings and know that you have given to me more than I imagined over the years. Thanks and love, MOM
Happy Birthday! Yes, I am also a '77er. I remember when I turned 19 all my friends who are my age were discussing why the 19-year-cycle thing got messed up for us. I am not a big celebrator of my Hebrew birthday anyway, so it didn't make much of a difference to me. I extended the celebrations anyway because it was the big 3-0.
Posted by: SaraK at February 7, 2007 10:36 AMYou're all so young!
Posted by: raffy at February 7, 2007 11:42 AMSays the "old man" of the group (I think not)!
Posted by: peninah at February 7, 2007 12:04 PMthe wife was born 12/28/76, and they coincided this year, the big 3-0.
Posted by: adderabbi at February 7, 2007 2:03 PMOh, crap. I knew I forgot something, in between the Bahamas and Micha'el's christening.
Happy birthday. Sorry I forgot. (If it makes you feel better, I brought you a doughnut from the bris. Which I ate.)
I think I'm also older than Raffy. Big whoop.
Posted by: Moishe Potemkin at February 8, 2007 12:44 PMHappy Birthday, Old Man!
(I call you "Old Man" even though you're only a year older than moi).
Posted by: Malnurtured Snay at February 8, 2007 9:54 PMThanks everyone for the birthday wishes!
Posted by: Greg at February 9, 2007 8:56 AMIf I recall correctly, there is an article on this very topic in the latest issue of Jewish Action.
Posted by: M at February 14, 2007 3:12 PM
