What makes you call the Gregorian calendar a ‘secular calendar’? It Both it and its forerunner, the Julian calendar were used as religious calendars for centuries. Just because it’s not our religion doesn’t make it secular. The correct designation for a calendar widely used for civil (as distinct from religious) purposes is “the civil calendar” not “the secular calendar.) Also, what is a person’s ‘English’ birthday (or ‘American’ birthday, since I suspect you are American)? Does it depend on where you live or the language spoken there? I am Australian. Does that mean my civil birthday is my Australian birthday?… Read more »
The correct term in English (the language of this article) for a year that is not a leap year is “common year.”
Dmess
1 year ago
Thanks ! Very helpful
Lisa Budd
9 months ago
In fact, birthdays 27 years apart never coincide unless they fall in Kislev, Tevet or Shevat, and even that is rare. It last happened in 1814/1841 and next happens in 2061/2088.
Great stuff, Ari — always a pleasure to read!
What makes you call the Gregorian calendar a ‘secular calendar’? It Both it and its forerunner, the Julian calendar were used as religious calendars for centuries. Just because it’s not our religion doesn’t make it secular. The correct designation for a calendar widely used for civil (as distinct from religious) purposes is “the civil calendar” not “the secular calendar.) Also, what is a person’s ‘English’ birthday (or ‘American’ birthday, since I suspect you are American)? Does it depend on where you live or the language spoken there? I am Australian. Does that mean my civil birthday is my Australian birthday?… Read more »
The correct term in English (the language of this article) for a year that is not a leap year is “common year.”
Thanks ! Very helpful
In fact, birthdays 27 years apart never coincide unless they fall in Kislev, Tevet or Shevat, and even that is rare. It last happened in 1814/1841 and next happens in 2061/2088.