[Event] Jewish High Holy Days - Rosh Hashana Sept 15 - 17

From: Daksha Howard <howardd_at_beloit.edu>
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2023 13:11:51 -0500

*Jewish High Holy Days*

*Erev Rosh Hashanah**, New Year’s Eve*

[image: Rosh Hashana.jpg]


Like many religious festivals, Jewish holy days are often held according to
traditional calendars and observances. As such, they do not fall on the
same day every year in the Gregorian calendar, so the month or overlapping
months during which these major Jewish holy days occur is listed under the
holiday name. The first of the Jewish High Holy Days, occurring in late
summer/early fall, is a two-day observance for both Orthodox and
Conservative Jews. It marks the beginning of the new civil year and the
anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve. It’s known as the day of
judgment, which leads followers to self-examine their lives and repent
their sins prior to these important Jewish holy days. The Jewish New Year
and one of the two main Jewish High Holy Days. A two-day festival during
which labor isn’t allowed, and celebrants engage in meditation, prayer and
reflection. The first day is called *Erev Rosh Hashanah*, or New
Year’s Eve. *Below
is a list of **Jewish holy days*
<https://www.diversityresources.com/interfaith-calendar-2023/>* 2023 which
includes Jewish festivals, Judaism religious calendar and festivals.*

*September 15 – 17 – Rosh Hashanah*

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is one of Judaism
<https://www.history.com/topics/religion/judaism>’s holiest days. Meaning
“head of the year” or “first of the year,” the festival begins on the first
day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which falls
during September or October. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the
world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of
introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday,
also known as the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the
two “High Holy Days” in the Jewish religion. Rosh Hashanah 2023 begins
on Friday, September 15, 2023, and ends on the evening of Sunday, September
17, 2023. The exact date of Rosh Hashanah varies every year since it is
based on the Hebrew Calendar, where it begins on the first day of the
seventh month. Rosh Hashanah is almost always in September or October.

*What Is Rosh Hashanah? History and Significance of Rosh Hashanah*

Rosh Hashanah is not explicitly mentioned in the Torah, Judaism’s founding
religious text, and appears under different names in the Bible
<https://www.history.com/topics/religion/bible>. The Torah does, however,
mention a sacred occasion
<https://www.thetorah.com/article/rosh-hashanah-between-tanach-and-mishna> that
starts on the first day of the seventh month of the Jewish calendar around
the time Rosh Hashanah is scheduled. Though the holiday was likely well
established by the sixth century B.C., the phrase “Rosh Hashanah” shows up
for the first time in the Mishna, a Jewish code of law compiled in 200 A.D.

The Hebrew calendar begins with the month of Nisan, but Rosh Hashanah
occurs at the start of Tishrei, when God is said to have created the world.
For this reason, Rosh Hashanah can be seen as the birthday of the world
rather than New Year’s in the secular sense; still, it is on Rosh Hashanah
that the number of the civil year increases. The Mishna described three
other “new year’s” in the Jewish calendar in addition to Rosh Hashanah.
Nisan 1 was used to resume the cycle of months and measure the duration of
kings’ reigns. Elul 1 resembled the start of the modern fiscal year and
determined the tithing of animals for charity or sacrifice. Shevat 15
calculated the age of fruit-bearing trees and is now celebrated as the
minor holiday of Tu B’Shevat.

According to tradition, God judges all creatures during the 10 Days of Awe
between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
<https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/yom-kippur-history>, deciding
whether they will live or die in the coming year. Jewish law teaches that
God inscribes the names of the righteous in the “book of life” and condemns
the wicked to death on Rosh Hashanah; people who fall between the two
categories have until Yom Kippur to perform “teshuvah,” or repentance. As a
result, observant Jews consider Rosh Hashanah and the days surrounding it a
time for prayer, good deeds, reflecting on past mistakes and making amends
with others.

*Celebrating Rosh Hashanah *- Unlike modern New Year’s celebrations, which
are often raucous parties, Rosh Hashanah is a subdued and contemplative
holiday. Because Jewish texts differ on the festival’s length, Rosh
Hashanah is observed for a single day by some denominations and for two
days by others. Work is prohibited, and religious Jews spend much of the
holiday attending synagogue. Because the High Holy Day prayer services
include distinct liturgical texts, songs and customs, rabbis and their
congregations read from a special prayer book known as the machzor during
both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

The sounding of the shofar—a trumpet made from a ram’s horn—is an essential
and emblematic part of both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The ancient
instrument’s plaintive cry serves as a call to repentance and a reminder to
Jews that God is their king. Tradition requires the shofar blower to play
four sets of notes on Rosh Hashanah: tekiah, a long blast; shevarim, three
short blasts; teruah, nine staccato blasts; and tekiah gedolah, a very long
blast. Because of this ritual’s close association with Rosh Hashanah, the
holiday is also known as Yom Teruah—the day of the sounding of the shofar.

After religious services are over, many Jews return home for a festive meal
steeped in symbolism and tradition. Some choose to wear new or special
clothing and to adorn their tables with fine linens and place settings in
recognition of Rosh Hashanah’s significance. The meal typically begins with
the ceremonial lighting of two candles and features foods that represent
positive wishes for the new year.

*Customs and Symbols of Rosh Hashanah*

Apples and honey: One of the most popular Rosh Hashanah customs involves
eating apple slices dipped in honey, sometimes after saying a special
prayer. Ancient Jews believed apples had healing properties, and honey
signifies the hope that the new year will be sweet. Rosh Hashanah meals
usually include an assortment of sweet treats for the same reason. Round
challah: On Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) and other holidays, Jews eat
loaves of the traditional braided bread known as challah. On the Jewish new
year, the challah is often baked in a round shape to symbolize either the
cyclical nature of life or the crown of God. Raisins are sometimes added to
the dough for a sweet new year.

Tashlich: On Rosh Hashanah, some Jews practice a custom known as tashlich
(“casting off”), in which they throw pieces of bread into a flowing body of
water while reciting prayers. As the bread, which symbolizes the sins of
the past year, is swept away, those who embrace this tradition are
spiritually cleansed and renewed.

*Rosh Hashanah Greetings*

“L’shana tovah”: Jews greet each other on Rosh Hashanah with the Hebrew
phrase “L’shana tovah,” which translates to “for a good year.” This is a
shortened version of the Rosh Hashanah salutation “L’shanah tovah tikatev
v’taihatem” (“May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year”).

*Learn more about **Jewish holy days and religious holidays*
<https://www.diversityresources.com/jewish-holy-days-religious-holidays/>*.*

*If you are interested in attending High Holy Day services, please contact
B’nai Abraham, the Jewish community of Beloit at:*

*Tel: (608) 364-4916*

*Email: synagogue_at_charter.net <synagogue_at_charter.net>*


*Rosh Hashanah*
Friday, Sept. 15, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 16, 10:00 AM

*Yom Kippur Kol Nidre *
Sunday, Sept. 24, 7:30 PM

*Yom Kippur Day*
Monday, Sept. 25

Morning service--10:00 AM

Afternoon service--2:30 PM

Yizkor and Havdalah services--4:30 PM

Masking and social distancing are recommended during all services. Please
stay home and take care of yourself if you are not feeling well. May you be
inscribed in the Book of Life for a good and a sweet year!


*“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test
of our civilization.” -Mahatma Gandhi*


Daksha Howard

Program Coordinator

Residential Life

Beloit College

Phone- 608-363-2125

Email - howardd_at_beloit.edu

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Hours: 9 am to 5 pm - Monday Through Thursday

Friday - 8 am to 1 pm



Rosh_Hashana.jpg
(image/jpeg attachment: Rosh_Hashana.jpg)

Received on Thu Sep 14 2023 - 13:12:04 CDT

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