Feast of Trumpets
Richard Masoner (richardm@cd.com)
Tue, 26 Sep 1995 01:51:49 -0500 (CDT)
Rosh Hashanah started at sundown on Sunday, September 24, so I thought
I'd pass this along. The other Jewish festivals are highlighted here,
too. The reckoning is according to the Hebrew calender.
Richard Masoner
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Rosh Hashanah - Tishri 1
Also known as Yom Hadin, Yom Hazikaron (Day of Remembrance) and Yom Teruah
(Day of the sounding of the shofar). This holiday celebrates the creation
of the world, and as such is the new year for calculating calendar years,
sabbatical and jubilee years, vegetable tithes, and tree-planting
(determining the age of a tree). This holiday is characterized by the
blowing of the shofar. During the afternoon of the first day, many follow
the practice of tashlikh, symbolically casting away sins by throwing stones
into the waters.
Fast of Gedaliah - Tishri 3
This fast commemorates the slaying of Gedaliah Ben Akhikam, whom
Nebuchadnezzar appointed governor of Judah after the first destruction of
the Temple (Jeremiah 40:7, II Kings 25:22.) His death was the final blow
to hopes that the Jewish state might survive the Babylonian domination.
Yom Kippur - Tishri 10
The day of repentance. The holiest and most solemn day of the year. Its
central theme is atonement and reconciliation. Traditionally, there are
prohibitions on eating, drinking, bathing, and conjugal relations. Most of
these prohibitions are followed across the spectrum of Judaism--such is
the importance of this holy day. Yom Kippur services begin with Kol
Nidrei, which must be recited before sunset. A Talit is donned for
evening prayers - the only evening service of the year in which this is
done. The Ne'ilah service is a special service held only on the day of
Yom Kippur, and deals with the closing of the holiday. Yom Kippur comes
to an end with the blowing of the shofar, which marks the conclusion of
the fast.
Sukkot - Tishri 15
The third Pilgrimage festival, it is also known as The Feast of Booths
(Tabernacles), The Feast of Ingathering, or just simply The Hag (The
Festival). Sukkot is an eight day festival: the first two days are
celebrated as full holidays, the following five days (Hol Hamo'ed) are
weekdays that retain some aspects of the festival, the seventh day
(Hoshanah Rabbah) and eighth (Shemini Atzeret) days have special
observances of their own. Liberal congregations typically only celebrate
the first and eighth days.
Sukkot commemorates the life of the Israelites in the desert during their
journey to the promised land. During their wandering in the desert they
lived in booths (Sukkot). Four species of plants are used to celebrate the
holiday: the lulav (palm branch), etrog (lemon-like citron), myrtle, and
willow. The etrog is handled separately, while the other three species
are bound together, and are collectively referred to as the lulav.
During the five intermediate days of Sukkot, it is customary to read the
book of Ecclesiastes.
Hosha'nah Rabbah - The seventh day of Sukkot.
This day closes the period of repentance that began on Rosh Hashanah.
Tradition has made this day into a sequel to the Days of Awe, lengthening
the period of penitence and postponing the day when final sentence is to
be rendered.
Shemini Atzeret - Tishri 22
The eighth day of Sukkot. In the Talmud it is written that "the eighth
day [of Sukkot] is a separate festival", so Sukkot is really observed as
seven days, and Shemini Atzeret is observed as a separate holiday. It
marks the beginning of the rainy season in Israel.
Simhat Torah - Tishri 23
Rejoicing with the Torah. The finale of Sukkot.
In Israel, Sukkot is eight days long, including Shemini Atzeret. Outside
Israel (the Diaspora), Sukkot is nine days long. Thus the eighth day is
Shemini Atzeret, and the extra (ninth) day is Simchat Torah. In Israel,
the festivities and customs associated with Simchat Torah are celebrated
on Shemini Atzeret.
The last portion of the Torah is read on this day. The following Shabbat
the reading of the Torah starts again at the beginning of Bereshis
(Genesis). Festivities begin in the evening with Ma'ariv. There are seven
hakafot (processions) of the Torah around the Synagogue. Services are
joyous, and humorous deviations from the standard service are allowed, and
even expected.
Chanukah - Kislev 25
Also known as Hag Ha'urim - The Festival of Lights.
The story of Chanukah is preserved in the books of the First and Second
Maccabees. These books are not part of the Tanakh, but are part of the
Apocrypha (Hebrew historical and religious material that was not codified
as part of the Bible.) The miracle of Chanukah is referred to in the
Talmud, but not in the books of the Maccabees. It marks the defeat of
Assyrian forces who had tried to prevent Israel from practicing Judaism.
Judah Maccabee and his brothers destroyed the overwhelming forces, and
rededicated the Temple. The eight day festival is marked by the kindling
of lights with a special Menorah, called a Chanukiah.
The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet - Tevet 10
The fast marks the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by the forces of
Nebuchadnezzar, and is thus connected with the destruction of Jerusalem.
Tu B'shevat - Shevat 15
The new year for trees. This day was set aside in the Mishna on which to
bring fruit tithes. It is still celebrated in modern times. In the
1600's, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria of Safed and his disciples created a short
sedar, somewhat reminiscent of the sedar observed on Pesach, that
explores the holiday's Kabbalistic themes.
Purim - Adar 14
This festival commemorates the events found in the Book of Esther.
The Shabbat preceding Purim is called Shabbat Zachor - the Sabbath of
remembrance. The day before Purim - Adar 13 - is the Fast of Esther. The
book of Esther is written in the form of a scroll - the Megillah. It is
chanted on Adar 13 in the evening, and on the next day after the Torah
reading.
New Year for Kings - Nisan 1
Nisan is the first month of the Hebrew calendar; In Mishnaic times it was
celebrated as the New Year for Kings and months. In addition to this "new
year", the Mishna sets up three other New Year's: Elul 1, for animal
tithes, Tishrei 1 (Rosh HaShanah), and Shevat 15, the New Year for
Trees/fruit tithes. Ever since the Babylonian diaspora, only the Rosh
HaShanah and Tu B'Shevat are still celebrated.
Pesach - Nisan 15
The first Pilgrimage Festival (recall that Nisan, not Tishri, is the first
month of the Hebrew calendar). Pesach commemorates the liberation of the
Israelites from Egypt. The first seder is on the 14th. On the night of
the 15th, the second seder is held, and the counting of the Omer starts.
The Omer is a counting down of the days from the time of the departure
from Egypt, until the time the Torah was received at Mount Sinai.
Sefirah (The counting)
Sefirat Ha'Omer
Also known simply as The Omer, this 49 day period between Pesach and
Shavuot is defined by the Torah as the period to bring special offerings
to the temple in Jerusalem; This makes physical the spiritual connection
between Pesach and Shavuot. Pesach marks the liberation from Egypt, and
Shavuot marks the receiving of the Torah. The counting begins the second
night of Pesach.
Traditionally, the Sefirah is a time of sadness. During this period,
12,000 of Rabbi Akiva's disciples died. This occurred during the
Hadrianic persecution that followed the Bar Kokhba revolt, in which Rabbi
Akiva was involved. During this period (with one exception),
traditionally no weddings take place, no hair is cut, and no activities
occur involving dancing and music.
Yom Ha'Shoah - Nisan 27
Holocaust remembrance day. See Yom Yerushalayim.
Yom Hazikaron - Iyar 4
Day of remembrance. In honor of Israeli veterans of the War of
Independence. See Yom Yerushalayim.
Yom Ha'atzma'ut - Iyar 5
Israel Independence Day. See Yom Yerushalayim.
Lag Ba'Omer - Iyar 18 (The 33rd day of the Omer)
Lag Ba'Omer takes place during the Sefirah. During this day there was a
break in the Hadrianic persecution. Weddings and joyful occasions are
permitted.
Yom Yerushalayim - Iyar 28
Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) marks the reunification of Jerusalem and
The Temple Mount under Jewish rule almost 1900 years after the destruction
of the Second Temple.
The Hallel [a series of prayers of praise] is recited by most Orthodox,
Conservative, and Reform congregations. Israel's Chief Rabbis advocate
reciting Hallel with a blessing.
The new holidays of Yom Yerushalayim, Yom Hazikaron, Yom Ha'atzma'ut and
Yom HaShoah are still too new for any consensus to have developed in the
Jewish community as to the appropriate liturgy. Many liberal Jews observe
them (and create new liturgies for them). Traditional Jews vary in the
observance of these days. Some observe them. Some prefer to commemorate
Churban Europa on Tisha B'Av along with the other catastrophes which have
befallen the Jewish people. Some celebrate the Israel-related days, but
don't assign them religious significance, and others ignore all three.
Shavuot - Sivan 6, 7
The second Pilgrimage Festival, it is also known as The Feast of Weeks,
Hag Haqatsir (The harvest festival), Hag HaShavuot, or just 'Atseret - The
conclusion of Pesach. [Literally, the Hebrew word 'atseret' means
conclusion.] Shavuot marks the end of the counting of the Omer.
According to Rabbinic tradition, the Ten Commandments were given on this
day. It is customary to read the Book of Ruth on this day.
The Fast of the Seventeenth of Tamuz - Tamuz 17
Mentioned by the prophet Zechariah, the 17th of Tamuz marks the beginning
of the destruction of Jerusalem. On this day in 70 B.C.E. the Romans
breached the walls encircling Jerusalem, which led to the destruction of
the second Temple. (During the siege preceding the first destruction of
the Temple in 587 B.C.E., the Romans breached the walls on the ninth of
Tamuz (Jeremiah 39:2), but both events are commemorated on the same date.
The actual destruction of the Temple itself took place on the 9th of Av -
both in 587 B.C.E. and 70 C.E. See Tisha B'Av.)
For the traditional, this day is observed by fasting. The fast begins at
sunrise and concludes at sunset of the same day. this applies to all
fasts, with the exception of Yom Kippur and Tisha B'Av, both of which
begin on the preceding night. Fasting is the only restriction imposed;
Working and bathing as usual are permitted.
The Three Weeks and The Nine Days
The Three Weeks: Tamuz 17 - Av 9
The Nine Days: Av 1 - Av 9
For the traditional, the days between the 17th of Tamuz and the 9th of Av
are considered days of mourning, for they witnessed the collapse of
Jerusalem. Weddings and other joyful occasions are traditionally not held
in this period.
A further element is added within the three weeks, during the nine days
between the 1st and 9th day of Av. During this period, the pious refrain
from eating meat and drinking wine, except on Shabbat or at a Seudat
Mitzvah (such as a Pidyon Haben or completing the study of a religious
text.) In addition, traditionally one's hair is not cut during this
period.
Tisha B'Av - Av 9
The saddest day of the Jewish calendar. On this day both the First and
Second Temples were destroyed. (587 b.c.e. and 70 c.e.) On this day in
1290, King Edward I signed the edict compelling the Jews to leave England.
The Jewish expulsion from Spain in 1492 also occurred on this day. Tisha
B'av also marked the outbreak of World War I.
The fast of Tisha B'av begins after Ma'ariv services, Sefer Eicha (the
book of Lamentations) is read. This is followed by the reading of Kinot,
sorrowful hymns that emphasize the import of the fast. On the day of the
ninth, Tallit and tefillin are not worn during Shachrit services, as a
sign of mourning.
New Year for Animal Tithes (Taxes) - Elul 1
This day is set up by the Mishna as the New Year for animal tithes, which
roughly corresponds to a new year for taxes. This is similar to the tax
deadline in the United States of America, on April 15. The date is
disputed; Some authorities claim that it was observed on Tishrei 1 (Rosh
HaShanah). The actual date is now merely academic; This holiday has not
been observed since the Babylonian diaspora.