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In general, Jewish-calendar months alternate in length: odd-numbered months have thirty days each and even-numbered months have twenty-nine. However, it is sometimes necessary for a year to have one fewer or one more day than would thus be allowed, so a day is added or removed from the calendar. Specifically, in nearly half the years, Marcheshvan, though the eighth month, has thirty days; in half the remaining years, Kislev, though the ninth month, has but twenty-nine days.

Why were Marcheshvan and Kislev, specifically and rather than any other months, chosen to vary in length?

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Rambam Le'am (Mosad Harav Kook, 5717) to Hilchos Kidush Hachodesh 8:6 explains that we want to make all required adjustments at the first possible opportunity in the year. We do not want to do anything to affect Tishrei because of all the Yomim Tovim in that month, and so the next possible months which we can change are Cheshvan and Kislev. (See also "Na'veh Kodesh" to Rambam there, who brings the first half of this explanation).

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    How would removing the 30th of Tishrei affect any holidays?
    – Double AA ♦
    Apr 7, 2013 at 12:16
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    @DoubleAA: It would affect the day of starting V'sen Tal Umatar L'Bracha in Eretz Yisrael, making it variable.
    – Gershon Gold
    Apr 7, 2013 at 14:37
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    @gershon Good idea but I wouldn't exactly call that a holiday and it isn't much worse than the last day of channuka being variable.
    – Double AA ♦
    Apr 7, 2013 at 16:01
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    This commentary asks my question hebrewbooks.org/rambam.aspx?mfid=31735&rid=2569
    – Double AA ♦
    Apr 7, 2013 at 18:17

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