fbpx
35.4 F
Spokane
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
spot_img
HomeCommentaryAskAsk A Jew: What are the High Holy Days?

Ask A Jew: What are the High Holy Days?

Date:

Related stories

Eliminating DEI is a backward game for Idaho colleges

Explore the controversy surrounding Idaho's proposed ban on diversity-equity-inclusion (DEI) programs and the potential unintended consequences, especially on Idaho college students and on their schools' bottom line.

Ask an EOC: How do I know if I committed the unforgivable sin?

Unforgivable sin explained: gain insights into the concept of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and its everlasting effects.

Should we strive to be perfect?

Should all of us work to be perfect? Read about the stories of the speckled ax and the perfect walking stick, as well as Jesus' call for his disciples to be perfect to learn the answer.

Letter to the editor: Central Valley School District, which law is next?

Exploring the implications: The Central Valley School District's resolution on female sports and its impact on transgender students.

God-versus-Satan: Navigating fear and faith from a secular perspective

As a secular humanist, the best I have for fearful loved ones is to bolster their faith, remind them that all-powerful is, by definition, beyond threat. I offer the trite “good always wins,” because I think they need to hear it.

Our Sponsors

spot_img
spot_img

What questions do you have about Judaism? Submit them online, or fill out the form below.

By Hyphen Parent

What exactly are the High Holy Days?

SPO_Ask-a-Jew-ad_042114The High Holy Days are Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and the days in-between.

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish new year. Outside of Israel*, it’s celebrated by two days of prayer and services as well as meals with sweet and circular food (like apples and honey for a sweet new year and round challah to indicate the continuing cycle of the year).

Rosh Hashanah begins a time of introspection called The Ten Days of Repentance or The Ten Days of Awe. During that time, we recite certain prayers, read specific Torah portions, focus on ourselves and our misdeeds, ask others for forgiveness, and make specific changes in our behavior and attitudes to be better people. We focus on Teshuva (Repentance), Tefilla (Prayer), and Tzedakah (Commonly translated as ‘Charity,” but “Justice” is a more accurate translation).

The Ten Days of Repentance ends on Yom Kippur—often considered the holiest day of the year. It’s a somber 25 hour fast day. We spend much of the day in services making confessions and asking for forgiveness.

*Jews in Israel and Reform Jews all around the world celebrate only one day.

Hyphen Parent
Hyphen Parent
Dorothy-Ann Parent (better known as Hyphen) is a writer, a traditional Jew, a seeker of justice, a lover of stories and someone who’s best not left unattended in a bookshop or animal shelter.

Our Sponsors

spot_img
spot_img

2 COMMENTS

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Lu
Lu
8 years ago

When are they this year?

Neal Schindler
Neal Schindler
8 years ago
Reply to  Lu

Rosh Hashanah is Oct. 3-4. Yom Kippur I think is Oct. 12.

2
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x