I've commented before that there are several different calendars that we recognize:
The Julian calendar is the conventional one that we all use, with 30 days in September, April, June, and November--31 in all the others but February.
The mah jongg New Year begins around the end of March, when the new card comes out, and ends the following year when the next card comes.
The Chinese calendar is based on the lunar schedule and generally falls between late January and mid February. There is a 12-year cycle of characters, with the current one being the Year of the Dog, and although they don't faithfully keep the total year number, it's somewhere in the 4000's.
The Jewish calendar is also based on the lunar schedule, and its New Year generally falls in late summer/early fall, between September and October. This year's begins this Sunday evening, and the new year is 5779.
Bubbe couldn't help but notice the mahj-ical nature of this number, and is hereby recommending a table rule for you and your friends:
I propose that there be a Singles and Pairs hand, worth 50 cents (concealed, obviously), consisting of
FF 5779 5779 5779
As with ALL table rules, you must inform everyone at the table before you start playing. It's not fair to suddenly spring this on them with no warning.
I hope everyone has fun with it. Feel free to call it "Rosh Ha-hand," "Bubbe's Hand," whatever you want.
If you want to get in touch with me (and send photos of your winning hand) you can reach me at bubbefischer@gmail.com
May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.
Bubbe Fischer
