The Month of Iyar: Light, Growth, and Healing

The Hebrew calendar is more than a way of marking time. Each month carries its own character, history, and spiritual meaning. The month of Iyar, which follows Nisan, is closely associated with growth, renewal, and healing, both in the natural world and in Jewish tradition.

Where Iyar Falls in the Hebrew Calendar

Iyar is the eighth month in the Hebrew calendar when counting from Tishrei, and the second month when counting from Nisan. This dual numbering reflects the Torah’s two ways of counting months, one connected to creation and the other to the Exodus from Egypt.

The Length of the Month

According to the fixed Hebrew calendar, Iyar always has 29 days. It is considered a deficient month, meaning it never contains a thirtieth day.

The Origin of the Name Iyar

Like the names of most Hebrew months, the name Iyar comes from the period of the Babylonian exile. It is derived from the Akkadian word āyāru, which means light, reflecting the increasing brightness of the season.

Iyar and the Zodiac

The zodiac sign associated with Iyar is Taurus. This matches the natural cycle of the month, when fields are full of fresh grass and cattle are released to graze after the winter. The imagery of strength, stability, and growth fits well with this time of year.

Biblical Names and Agricultural Meaning

In the Bible, Iyar is also called Yerach Ziv, a name connected to the glow or radiance of the sun during this season. In ancient times, messengers would travel from Jerusalem to announce the new month, due to the importance of Pesach Sheni, the second Passover.

Another explanation of the word Ziv understands it as meaning bud, referring to the flowering plants that appear in the fields. Supporting this agricultural connection, an ancient Hebrew calendar discovered in Gezer, dating to the tenth century BCE, refers to Iyar as the month of the barley harvest.

Historical Events in the Month of Iyar

Several significant events in Jewish history are traditionally associated with this month. On the 2nd of Iyar, King Solomon began building the Holy Temple. On the 7th of Iyar, the walls of Jerusalem were inaugurated during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. The 18th of Iyar marks the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and the 28th of Iyar marks the passing of the Prophet Samuel.

Jewish Observances During Iyar

Iyar includes several important observances. On the 14th of Iyar, Jews observe Pesach Sheni, the second Passover, which allowed those who were unable to bring the Paschal offering at the proper time to do so later. On the 18th of Iyar, Lag B’Omer is celebrated. The entire month of Iyar also falls within the counting of the Omer, a period of spiritual refinement between Passover and Shavuot.

Iyar as a Month of Healing

Many sources associate Iyar with healing. According to tradition, this is the month when the manna first began to fall in the desert. The manna, often described as the bread of angels, caused no illness and provided perfect nourishment, leading to the belief that Iyar holds special healing potential.

“I Am Hashem, Your Healer”

This idea is further reflected in an acronym formed from the Hebrew letters of the name Iyar: Ani Hashem Rofecha, meaning I am Hashem, your Healer. Because of this, Iyar is often viewed as a month suited for physical and spiritual healing, growth, and renewed strength.

The Message of Iyar

Iyar stands between redemption and revelation, between Passover and Shavuot. It is a month that teaches patience, steady growth, and trust in the healing process, reminding us that transformation often happens gradually, step by step.