| The celebration of Rosh Hashana 2003, the Jewish new year
5764, begins this Friday night and runs through Sunday. The
holiday is traditionally accompanied by apples and honey and
other delicacies, symbolic of a happy new year.
Ten days later come Yom Kippur, which translates from Hebrew
to "Day of Atonement." It will be observed Oct. 5-6
with fasting and abstinence while Jews forgive others and
repent their own sins.
Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri.
In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year"
or "first of the year." Rosh Hashanah is commonly known
as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because
there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the
holiest days of the year, and the American midnight drinking
bash and daytime football game.
There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish
New Year and the American one: Many Americans use the New
Year as a time to plan a better life, making "resolutions."
Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection,
looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning
the changes to make in the new year. More on this concept
at Days of Awe
or the Days of Repentance.
The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a
trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday
is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue.
The shofar is not blown if the holiday falls on Shabbat.
Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath; no work can be performed
on that day. It is well-known that you are supposed
to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur.
It is a complete, 25-hour fast beginning before sunset on
the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on
the day of Yom Kippur. Much of the day is spent in synagogue,
where the regular daily liturgy
is somewhat expanded. In fact, there is a special prayerbook
called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for
these holidays.
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