4. What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, meaning “head of the
year” or “first of the year”
occurs on the first and second days of Tishrei of the Gregorian
Calendar, which is between September and October
commemorates the anniversary of Creation, when G-d “opens
the Book of Life”
“a time to begin introspection, looking back at mistakes of the
past year and planning changes for the upcoming year”
it is a time “repentance, preparation for the day of Divine
Judgement, and prayer for a fruitful year”
7. History of Rosh Hashanah
traces back to Babylonia, as Tishri of Babylonian origin
means “Beginning”
biblical origin : “a sacred occasion commemorated with
loud blasts” (Lev. 23:23-25)
begins with the TaNaKh, where G-d says: “In the seventh
month, on the first of the month, shall be for you a day of
resting a remembrance of the sounding of the shofar.”
festival was known as “Yom Teruah” and later was called
“Rosh Hashanah” in Mishnaic times
8. The Hebrews had 4 different
new years before the
Babylonians exiled the Jews:
New Year for Kings,
Festivals and Months
New Year for Tithing
Animals
New Year for Trees
New Year for Years
When they were exiled, the
New Year for Trees and
Years were commemorated
9. it is the day of Creation of the
World and of Adam
G-d takes stock of creation
and everything and everyone
involved
directs the events on
everyday of the New Year
affects the coming year; any
deviations on Rosh Hashanah
can result in major harm for
the remainder of the year
11. Tashlich
Literally means “casting off” in Hebrew
Symbolically throwing away sins from the previous year
Bread is tossed into bodies of water and carried away
Bread represents our sins, and the water carries the sins
away
Hoping to begin the new year with a fresh start
Traditionally performed on the first day of Rosh
Hashanah
13. Shofar
Jewish instrument made from a ram’s horn
makes a trumpet-like sound
blown on Rosh Hashanah
used to announce the start of holidays
blown 100 times within the two days
14. it is blown four specific ways
Teki’ah, Shva’rim, Teruah, Tekiah Gedolah
symbolism : the person blowing the horn, which
is the Tokea’s breath is associated with the
breath of life
G-d first breathed life into Adam when
humanity was created
22. What is Yom Kippur?
“Day of Atonement” in Jewish
most important Jewish holiday of the year along with Rosh
Hashanah
symbolizes the “Book of Life” being sealed
ten days after Rosh Hashanah
solemn day of fasting and seeking reconciliation with God
“marks the chance for repentance and forgiveness in the eyes of God”
only amends for sins against God, not against another person
23. Sabbath Day : no work can be performed
must fast, refraining from eating and drinking for 25 hours
beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur
and ending after night fall on the day of Yom Kippur
children under the age of 9 and women in child birth are
not permitted to fast
most of the holiday is spent in the synagogue in prayer
white is worn to symbolize purity
calls to mind the promise that our sins shall be made as
white as snow
24. Yom Kippur is part of the High Holiday, the
“high holy” days
signifies the start of the new year in September
it is a time to make amends and make changes
for the new year
26. special candles are lit on the eve of Yom Kippur
all the women in the house above the age of Bar-
Mitzvah light the candles
day is spent in the synagogue to replenish one’s
self
“last chance to change the judgement,
demonstrate repentance and make amends”
