In some parts of the world, Hanukkah
is perceived to be the most important Jewish holiday.
But actually, the high holy days or High Holidays
are the most important and most celebrated in the Jewish faith.
The High Holidays consist of a 10 day period,
typically in late September and early
October beginning with Rosh Hashanah,
and ending with Yom Kippur. These days
are a time in which people reflect and try
to better themselves moving into the new year.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish new year.
It's a one or two day-long celebration
filled with lots of food and special rituals, typically
including religious services at synagogue.
During this day of rest with family
Jewish people will pray for their names
to be written into the book of life.
And at the dinner table
you'll find honey-dipped apples, round challah, and pomegranates
to represent the hope for a sweet and prosperous new year.
Rosh Hashana and the days following
are called the 10 days of awe or the 10 days of repentance.
During this time, people will perform tzedakah, or charity,
and some Jewish faiths will recognize their sins
from the year with a tashlich ritual—
a symbolic casting of sins by throwing bread
into a body of water.
This ritual recognizes the wrongs
committed over the past year before asking
individuals for forgiveness and moving into the year ahead.
Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year,
is the final day of the High Holidays
and is considered a day of atonement.
This is a much more somber holiday
than the days prior. Yom Kippur
consists of 24 hours of fasting, resting, and mourning
the memory of deceased loved ones.
The day ends with a large family meal called the break fast.
Jewish people around the world celebrate these holidays a bit
differently.
There is so much more to learn about these sacred days.
But hopefully, this gives you a better understanding.
Have a good and sweet new year.
Shana Tova.