As our institutions settle into the rhythm (hopefully!) of the Islaamic month of Ramadan, we will very soon look forward to the Jewish High Holidays.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah will be observed September 8 – 10 this year.
The two-day festival of Rosh Hashanah is observed on the first and second days of the Jewish month of Tishrei. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “Head of the Year,” and as its name indicates, it is the beginning of the Jewish year. The anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, it is the birthday of mankind, highlighting the special relationship between G-d and humanity. The primary theme of the day is the acceptance of G-d as our King. The Kabbalists teach that the renewal of G-d’s desire for the world, and thus the continued existence of the universe, is dependent upon this. The Jewish people accept G-d as our King, and G-d is aroused, once again, with the desire to continue creating the world for one more year.
The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the shofar, the ram’s horn. It is sounded on both days of Rosh Hashanah (unless the first day of the holiday falls on Shabbat, in which case, the shofar is only sounded on the second day). The sounding of the shofar represents, among other things, the trumpet blast of a people’s coronation of their king. The cry of the shofar is also a call to repentance; for Rosh Hashanah is also the anniversary of man’s first sin and his repentance thereof, and serves as the first of the “Ten Days of Repentance” which will culminate in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Altogether, Jewish people listen to 100 shofar blasts over the course of the Rosh Hashanah service.
Additional Rosh Hashanah observances include eating a piece of apple dipped in honey to symbolize the desire for a sweet year, as well as many other special foods. All have special significance and symbolize sweetness, blessings, and abundance.
Jewish people bless one another with the words Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim, “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”
Jewish people also go to a lake, river, or to the sea and recite the Tashlich prayers, where they symbolically casts their sins into the water, in evocation of the verse, “And You shall cast their sins into the depths of the sea.” They leave old shortcomings behind them, thus starting the new year with a clean slate.
As with every major Jewish holiday, women and girls light candles on each evening of Rosh Hashanah and recite the appropriate blessings. After the prayers each night and morning, Jewish people recite Kiddush on wine, make a blessing over the challah, and enjoy a festive repast.
For detailed information about Rosh Hashanah, visit Aleph Institute’s special page.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur will be observed September 17 - 18 this year.
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. On this day, the Jewish people, believe they are closest to G-d and to the quintessence of their own souls. It is the “Day of Atonement,” “for on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before G-d” (Leviticus 16:30).
For twenty-six hours — from several minutes before sunset on Tishrei 9 to after nightfall on Tishrei 10 – Jewish people “afflict” their souls. This means that they abstain from food and drink, do not wash or anoint their bodies, do not wear leather footwear, and abstain from marital relations
Before Yom Kippur, Jewish people perform the Kaparot atonement service. They request and receive honey cake, in acknowledgement that we are all recipients in G-d’s world and in prayerful hope for a sweet and abundant year; eat a festive meal, immerse in a mikvah, and give extra charity. Late afternoon, Jewish people eat the pre-fast meal, following which they bless their children, light a memorial candle, as well as the holiday candles, and go to the synagogue for Kol Nidrei services.
In the course of Yom Kippur, Jewish people hold five prayer services: Maariv, with its solemn Kol Nidrei service, on the eve of Yom Kippur; Shacharit–the morning prayer; Musaf, which includes a detailed account of the Yom Kippur Temple service; Minchah, which includes the reading of th Book of Jonah, and Ne’illah, the “closing of the gates” service at sunset. Jewish people also say the Al Chet confession of sins eight times in the course of Yom Kippur, and recite psalms every available moment.
The day is the most solemn of the year for the Jewish people, yet an undertone of joy suffuses it: a joy that revels in the spirituality of the day and expresses the confidence that G-d will accept their repentance, forgive their sins, and seal their verdict for a year of life, health, and happiness. The closing Ne’illah service climaxes in the resounding cries of “Hear O Israel … G-d is one.” Then joy erupts in song and dance followed by a single blast of the shofar, following by the proclamation, “Next year in Jerusalem.” Jewish people then partake of a festive after-fast meal, making the evening after Yom Kippur a Yom Tov (festival) in its own right.
For detailed information about Yom Kippur, visit Aleph Institute’s special page.
(Above article compiled from website of Aleph Institute with permission of Rabbi Vogel. Thank you, Rabbi Vogel!)
If you need assistance with the planning and implementation of the Jewish High Holidays in your facility, you can email the PPCA at PennsylvaniaPrisonChaplains@gmail.com and we will put you into contact with one of our Jewish chaplains.
