HIGH HOLY DAYS

Jewish Festivals

Jewish Festivals

The themes of repentance (saying you’re sorry) and forgiveness are reflected in the most important holy days in Judaism.

Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New Year)Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement)

These holy days are celebrated in September or October.

Rosh Hashanah

This festival marks the creation of the world. It is also seen as a time of judgement when God balances a person’s good deeds against their bad deeds and decide what will be in store for them in the coming year.

Rosh Hashanah

God’s judgement is noted in one of 3 books:1. One for the good2. One for the wicked3. One for the average person

Rosh Hashanah

During the next 10 days, known as the Days of Awe, people are given the chance to repent (say they’re sorry) as God’s final judgement is sealed at Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur

The holiest day of the Jewish calendar is Yom Kippur. Apart from the ill, or those taking medicine, everyone above the age of Bar or Bat Mitzvah fasts for 25 hours, and most people spend the entire day praying in a synagogue to make amends with their creator.

Yom Kippur

The Yom Kippur service ends with a single blast of the shofar, and everyone returns home feeling cleansed and with a new sense of purpose.

A shofar is a special musical instrument made from a ram’s horn.