Jewish Festivals

Rosh Hashanah New Year’s

• Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, falls in Sept. or early Oct.

• The sounding of the shofar signifies the beginning of this 10 day period of repentence.

• In traditional Orthodox communities the shofar is blown every morning

for the entire month preceding Rosh

Hashana; this sound is intended to awaken the

listener from his/her “slumber” and alert them

of the coming judgement.

• The traditional greeting on Rosh Hashanah is “shana tova,” Hebrew for “a good year.”

• Rosh Hashanah meals often include apples + honey, to symbolize a “sweet new year.”

• After the commencement of Rosh Hashanah, Jews spend 10 days concentrating on an assessment of conduct & behavior in the previous year.

Yom KippurDay of Atonement

• The 10-day period of self reflection & asking for forgiveness from God ends with the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, or “Day of Atonement”

• Yom Kippur is marked by a 24-hour fast and intensive prayers of repentance.

• Signs of comfort and luxury are not allowed; for example, women often do not wear makeup. Sexual relations are also not permitted.

• No food or drink is allowed in order to demonstrate that this day is better spent on prayer.

• Total abstinence from food & drink usually begins 30 minutes before sundown and ends after nightfall the following day.

• Wearing white clothing is traditional to symbolize one’s purity on this day.

HanukkahFestival of Lights

• Celebrates the events of the

Maccabean revolt (168 BC), is

celebrated over 8 days in December.

Maccabean Revolt• The revolt was inspired by the

growing dissatisfaction with Greek rule among the Jewish population.

• A group of rebels called the Maccabees (followers of Judas Maccabeus), started a revolt and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem.

• The ceremonies of rededicating the temple took place over 8 days.

• Legend - when trying to light the sacred lamp there was only enough oil to last 1 day, but it burned for 8.

• Hanukkah is traditionally celebrated by lighting a candle for each of the eight days in a candelabrum, or menorah. The 9th

branch of the menorah is called the shamus (or

servant)

• Each night families recite special blessings.

Pesach (Passover)

• The feast of Passover is held in April over 7 or 8

days. • Celebration commemorates

the Exodus story - freeing of Hebrews

from slavery.

• The feast of Passover is held in April over 7 or 8

days. • Celebration commemorates

the Exodus story - freeing of Hebrews

from slavery.

• During entire week of Pesach, Jews do

not eat anything chametz (or leavened) to

commemorate the haste in which the

Hebrews had to flee from their oppressor.

• Custom - all first born males fast the first day of the festival; in remembrance of the first-born Egyptian males who were killed for their freedom.

• Seder, the ritual service / ceremonial dinner held at home on the 1st night of Pesach. Includes songs, special food, and prayer.

• The events of the Exodus story are told, reenacted and explained via the Haggadah.