 |
September 2007
The Jewish month of Tishrei, which falls sometime in the autumn, (depending on the vagaries of the Jewish calendar) is chock full of holidays. It begins with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and ends with Simchat Torah, the day we complete – then begin again – the reading of the Torah (the Five Books of Moses). In between we find Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and for many, the holiest day of the year; Sukkot, a festive harvest holiday that lasts seven days, and Shemini Atzeret, the day after Sukkot (celebrated more widely in Israel), which is dedicated to a successful growing season. As with all holidays, the Tishrei festivals have many symbols and traditions associated with them. Following are some of them… from A to Z. If you’d like to know more about any particular item, or holiday, just “google” Jewish High Holidays. There is a wealth of information available. Apples & honey – It’s traditional to welcome the new year with apples dipped in honey. The taste treat symbolizes our hope for a sweet year to come. The blessing that accompanies the ritual is: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree. (Baruch atah Adonai, Elhanu Melekh Ha-olam, borei pri ha-eitz.) Booths – Sukkah is the Hebrew word for booth. We build a sukkah on Sukkot to remind us of the temporary shelters our ancestors used during the 40 years in the wilderness. While the walls of the sukkah may be any material you choose, the roof must be comprised of material that grows in the ground (i.e. branches or plants), loosely covering the booth to let in light from the sky or the stars. Casting off of Sins – This custom, called Tashlich, usually takes place after services on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Gathering as a group at a body of flowing water, we symbolically cast out our sins. Days of Awe – These are the 10 days beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur. They are a time for reflection, introspection and asking forgiveness from individuals you may have mistreated in the year past. Etrog – The etrog or citron, a citrus fruit that looks like a longish lemon, along with the lulav, a palm branch which is tied to two willow and three myrtle branches, are the four species used during Sukkot services. According to one interpretation, the etrog represents the heart; the palm, the spine; the myrtle leaf, the eye; and the willow leaf, the mouth. Fasting & Feasting – On Yom Kippur, fasting is part of the biblical injunction to “afflict your soul.” However, fasting is prohibited under certain circumstances (such as childbirth or illness) and for children. On Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to gather with family and friends in a festive meal. Gemar Chatima Tovim – This greeting, which is used on Yom Kippur, means “May you be inscribed for a good year,” and refers to the concept of God determining your fate by hopefully inscribing your name in the Book of Life for the coming year. Holiness – To many, the Days of Awe and particularly Yom Kippur are the holiest times in the Jewish calendar. Clergy exchange their usual robes for white ones and in traditional synagogues, congregants wear white too. It symbolizes purity and calls to mind the biblical promise that our sins shall be made white as snow. Introspection – Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur provide a mandate, and an opportunity, for serious introspection and reflection about the way in which we live our lives. Joyous – Sukkot, which follows Yom Kippur, is one of the most joyous of holidays. The tradition tells us to gather in the sukkah for festive meals, congenial company and a taste of nature for the full week. If you don’t build your own sukkah, you can decorate your dining room with fruits, flowers and arts and crafts related to the harvest season. Kol Nidre – Kol Nidre is the name of the first service of Yom Kippur, held on the evening the holiday begins, and the name of perhaps the “signature” prayer of the holy days. The Cantor sings it three times, invoking God to forgive his congregation. You can hear it online at HYPERLINK "http://www.jewfaq.org\\sound\\kolnidre.mid" www.jewfaq.org\sound\kolnidre.mid. L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu – Often abbreviated to “Shanah Tovah,” is the greeting used on Rosh Hashana. It’s the Jewish way of saying “Happy New Year.” Mishpocheh – It’s the family. In the Bay Area, where many of us don’t have our blood relatives around, we bring together our family of close friends to celebrate holidays. New Year – Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, but unlike the secular new year, it is not a time for raucous celebrations. One similarity is that American Jews often use it as a time frame for making life and behavior changes and new year’s resolutions. O – An O-shaped or round challah, usually studded with raisins, is made especially for the High Holidays. It symbolizes the continuity of life, and like apples, may be dipped in honey in hope for a sweet year. Quick nap – On Yom Kippur, a quick nap between afternoon and evening services helps to rejuvenate a fasting person. Rain – On Shemini Atzeret, prayers for rain are incorporated into the daily service so that the growing season will be productive. Shofar – The shofar, made from a ram’s horn, is the traditional means of calling attention. On the holidays there are three specific shofar blasts: tekiyah, a three-second sustained note; shevarim, three one-second notes; and teruah, a series of short, staccato notes lasting a total of three seconds. The star of the day is always tekiyah godolah – the big tekiyah, heard at the final Yom Kippur service – in which the shofar-sounder holds the note as long as his/her breath will allow, and the congregation holds its collective breath hoping for a long and impressive blast. Tefillah, tzedakah and teshuvah – Tefillah is prayer, tzedakah is charity or good deeds, and teshuva is repentance. These are considered key actions throughout the Days of Awe to ensure being inscribed in the Book of Life. Under your Best Clothes – Wearing leather shoes is one of the prohibitions on Yom Kippur, so traditional Jews may be wearing canvas sneakers under their holiday attire. (Our ancestors believed that leather shoes were more comfortable, thus it was a hardship not to wear them.) A modern explanation is that it is presumptuous to ask God for mercy for ourselves while wearing the skin of a slaughtered animal. Work – With the exception of the middle days of Sukkot, the Tishrei holidays are all considered “Sabbath” days and we are commanded to take those days off from work. X – eXcitement, eXtra special … It’s how many of us feel as we renew old acquaintances and greet old friends who we may not have seen since last Rosh Hashanah. Yartzheit & Yiskor – Yom Kippur is one of the days in which we light a Yartzheit or memorial candle to remember those we loved who have died. Yiskor prayers are recited at a special service just before the ending of the holy day. Zion – It is traditional to say a prayer for peace for our extended Jewish family in Israel during the holidays.
« Previous Article |
Back to Newsletter | Next Article »  |
 |