Tekufah

Tekufot (Hebrew: תקופות, romanized: təqufoṯ, singular təqufā, literally, "turn" or "cycle") are the four seasons of the year recognized by Talmud writers. According to Samuel of Nehardea in Lower Mesopotamia, each tekufah marks the beginning of a period of 91 days 7½ hours. The four tekufot are: Tekufat Nisan, the March equinox, when the sun enters Aries; this is the beginning of spring, or "eit hazera" (seed-time), when day and night are equal. Tekufat Tammuz, the June solstice, when the sun enters Cancer; this is the summer season, or et ha-katsir (harvest-time), when the day is the longest in the year. Tekufat Tishrei, the September equinox, when the sun enters Libra, and autumn, or "et ha-batsir" (vintage-time), begins, and when the day again equals the night. Tekufat Tevet, the December solstice, when the sun enters Capricornus; this is the beginning of winter, or "et ha-ḥoref" (winter-time) when the night is the longest during the year.