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Judaism Jewish Judaic Talmud
Jewish Holidays Begin at Sundown
Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New Year) is a time for solemn introspection for remembering that G-d is both King and Judge; for repentance and for resolving to do better; for asking for and for giving forgiveness, and for praying for a healthy and happy new year.
It is also a time of confident happiness, remembering that G-d is both good and merciful. Observed as a two day holiday, the two days together form a singe long day (a yoma arichta).
Rosh Hashanah is set aside by the Mishna. The holiday is celebrated by blowing the shofar, a trumpet made from a ram's horn, and by Tashlikh, the practice of throwing bread crumbs or pebbles into waters to symbolize the casting away of sins.
Shavuot (The Feast of Weeks, Pentecost) is a festival of thanksgiving in the Bible called Yom HaBikurim, Feast of the First Fruits, or Hag HaKatsir, Feast of the Harvest, Pentecost (Greek), or Hag HaShavuot, Festival of the Weeks. Shavuot takes place seven weeks after the Passover.
It commemorates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish
people on Mount Sinai when they became truely free when they became servants of
G-d by receiving the Ten Commandments. On Shavuot in accordance with Rabbinical
tradition, the portion of the Torah with Ten Commandments is read in the
synagogue along with the biblical Book of Ruth. Dairy meals are traditionally
eaten during Shavuot.
Rosh Hashanah Fruits and Honey
Shemini Atzeret is the eighth day of assembly following Sukkoth, and in Israel it is also the holiday of rejoicing in the Torah, Simchat Torah. One of the central prayers is the tefilat geshem, the prayer for rain, since it it the beginning of the rainy season after the Israel harvest. Outside of Israel in the Diaspora, Sukkot is nine days long with the eighth day being observed as Shemini Atzeret and the ninth day being observed as Simchat Torah.
Simchat Torah is a time of celebration of the Torah, the Five Books of Moses, and, completion of the annual cycle of weekly Torah readings. It is celebrated by joyous services, singing, dancing, carrying the Torah scrolls in processions around the synagogue, and reading the last portion of the Torah immediately followed by the first chapter of Genesis, in remembrance of the Torah as a circle that never ends.
Sukkoth (Sukkot, Succoth, Festival of Booths) is the Feast of Tabernacles, which commemorates the forty years of wandering in the desert when the Jewish people lived in temporary shelters. This eight day festival was celebrated by mass pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem until 70 CE. It is now celebrated as a festival of ingathering by giving thanks for a bountiful harvest and by remembering the Exodus from Egypt.
Tu B'Shvat (Tu Bishvat, New Year of the Trees) is a New Year celebration for trees which is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Shvat. This day was set aside as the day for fruit tithes in the Mishnah. It is celebrated by many people in Israel by planting trees and with a Tu B'Shavat Seder which includes recitations and songs; special foods (dates, figs, grapes, wheat, barley, pomegranates, and olives); and a Shehechiyanu blessing of thanks to G-d for health and life.
A Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is a time of self-denial, atonement, and cleansing of sins which is observed eight days after Rosh HaShana and the days inbetween are called the Days of Awe. On Yom Kippur the books inscribed with individual names and judgments are sealed, so it the last chance to change judgements by demonstrating repentance. The main focus of Yom Kippur, which is considered the solemnest and holiest day of the year, is one of reconciliation and atonement. Bathing, conjugal relations, drinking, and eating are prohibited. Fasting begins at sundown and ends the next day after nightfall.
The Yom Kippur services
begins with the recitation before sunset of the "Kol Nidrei", all vows prayer,
which is a public annulment of the personal religious vows Jews made between
themselves and G-d during the preceding year. The one day holiday ends with the
blowing of the shofar which concludes the fast... Go back
Read Judaism Talmud Articles
Glossary Terminology,
Haggadah Shabbat and Seder,
Halacha and the Ten Commandments,
Jewish Holidays Begin at Sundown,
Judaic Lifecycle Events,
Judaism Spiritual Beliefs,
Menorahs Tallits and Yarmulkes,
Prayers and Jewish Principles of Faith,
Symbology of the Jewish Star of David,
Tefillin Mezuzah Hebrew Bible Verses,
Torah Talmud Tenakh Mishna Gemara
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Jewish Judaic Talmud Copyright © 2002-2008 Maureen Grace Burns, Blessings Cornucopia. All Rights Reserved.
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