The Jewish
year is regulated by Festivals and they are an integral part of the
Religion. They help to:
¨Forge a link between Judaism past and
present
¨Focus on the Central beliefs of the faith
¨They are communal acts
¨They form a pattern of celebrations
It is a
lunar cycle of 12 months (354 days) – the year begins with the seventh
month, TISHRI and is celebrated through out the world by Jews. For
everyday purposes they follow a set calendar (i.e as per UK) but in their
celebrations they follow their own calendar (LUNACH). If you wish to
go to a specific festival click on the name of the underlined festival:
1.2 days of solemn reflection, greetings are exchanged such as the
simple ‘Good year’. It is a time for new beginnings & Jews dress
in their best clothes.
2.Special bread in the shape of a crown or ladder is baked at home
and eaten as a symbol of God’s sovereignty and link with the home.
3.In the synagogue on New Years morning a special service is held –
MUSAF based on the Rosh Hashanah prayer book
¨The story of the birth &
binding of
Isaac is read from
the Torah.
¨During the service the SHOFAR (Rams horn
trumpet) is blown as a reminder of Abraham’s sacrifice of a ram instead
of his son Isaac.
4.In the afternoon the family visit a well or river and say prayers
and empty their pockets into the water as a sign of shedding sins.
5.The new year ritual centres on Creation, Judgement & Renewal.
The Jews remember how God created the world, they reflect on his judgement
of evil and by casting off their sins they begin the New Year by
submitting to him.
1.10 days into New Year, Jews observe the day of Atonement. It is a
day of repentance – according to Jewish Law forgiveness must be obtained
before Yom Kippur.
2.It is a day of fasting, for helping people in need and reciting
memorial prayers to the dead.
3.The Ark is covered in white & a solemn prayer – KOL NIDREI is
sung for Jews who have suffered persecution.
4.The account of the ritual in the Temple in Jerusalem is told which
tells how the high priest made a sacrifice on behalf of the people on the
Day of Atonement.
5.The closing service of the day is called NEILAH, and the first line
of the SHEMA is recitied before the SHOFAR is blown before the Ark.
1.14th of Adar (Feb/March) a festival of thanksgiving held
to commemorate the victory of Esther over the oppressor Haman. She led her
people in their struggle for freedom & independence.
2.A Purim service is held in the synagogue in the morning & the
evening.
3.The story of Esther is read from the MEGILLAH (Scroll) during the
service.
4.A festival meal is held which lasts several hours.
1.An autumn festival which lasts 7 days in TISHRI (Sept/Oct). Also
known as the ‘Season of Rejoicing’. It is a harvest festival each day
a service is held in the synagogue.
2.The service includes the waving of LULAV branches to the East,
West, North & South to symbolise Gods universal blessings.
3.During the festival , Jews make a tent (SUKKAH) as a temporary home
and the synagogue also has one. This is to remind Jews of their journey to
the promised land. The tents are intended as a symbol of God’s provision
& Care. If Jews live in them for the 7 days, seen as a blessing by God
on their lives.
4.On the final day of the festival (the great Hosanna or HOSHANA
RABA)
a willow branch is shook till the leaves drop off and prayers are said.
1.Immediately after the festival of the Tabernacles. A Special
service is held in the synagogue and the Torah scrolls are paraded around
the synagogue 7 times.
2.After completing one circle the scrolls are handed to other
worshippers to complete the required circles. The procession also passes
under a canopy (CHUPPAH).
3.In Jerusalem, Jews also gather at the Western Wall carrying scrolls
under small canopies to show solidarity with other Jews around the world.
1.The festival of weeks is a harvest festival and is held 7 weeks
after the passover in SIVAN (May/June).
2.Readings in the synagogue of the giving of the 10 commandments and
the book of Ruth.
3.During the festival special emphasis is placed upon the education
of children.
4.In earlier times Jews used to make an offering of the first fruits
to God each night between the Passover and the Feast of Weeks a measure
(OMER) of barley was brought to the temple in Jerusalem.
5.Today it is connected with the land and future prosperity and
productivity.
1.Held on the 25th of KISLEV (December) and for the
following 7 days.
2.Central ritual is lighting lights in the home. A HANUKAH lamp is
lit and placed in the window or open door.
3.It is an eight branched lamp and one lamp is lit on each night and
these words are spoken:
‘These
lights are holy and we are not permitted to make use of them, but only to
see them in order to thank your name for the wonders, the victories and
the marvellous deeds.’
4.In the synagogue there are reading from Zechariah about God’s
Holy Spirit.
5.The festival celebrates the Jews victory against the Greek tyrant
Antiochus Epiphanes in 165BCE. He tried to get the Jews to worship the
Greek Gods. They rose up against him and Judas Maccabeus led the guerilla
attacks. They rededicated the Temple on the 25th Kislev in
165BCE – the dedication lasted for 8 days.
