Today, October 3, is erev Rosh Hashanna. At our synagogue, we observe the holiday for two days, beginning tonight and ending at sundown Wednesday. May you all be inscribed for a good year!
Happy Rosh Hashana! And for next week, Happy Yom Kippur! __________________________________ There is, of course, an absolutely tasteless inside joke in this post that most people will not get. But I couldn't resist. And yes, I'm Jewish, so I can get away with it.
Happy Day of Atonement! Keiser College is owned by a Jewish family, and usually closes for Yom Kippur. This year when it was announced that we'd be closed, the campus VP (a gentile) emailed us all saying we'd be closed and put a big smiley. I just shook my head. -=Steve=-
I worked security today at a Jewish temple, just in case any terrorists got any bright ideas. I spoke with a Jewish girl who explained that today is the start of the new year, according to the Jewish calendar and about 10 days from now is Yom Kippor (sp?). She said that those two days are the two high holy days for Jews when they are supposed to reflect upon themselves, their past sins and the future.
The ten days are collectively known as "yomim noraim" or "days of awe". Your source is Reform; most Reform congregations have removed the usual additional "diaspora" day from the festival. Righter wing groups preserve the two day configuration, as does my synagogue. Actually, in the bible it is a two day celebration, not a one day "do". There is a frequent recitation of the phrase (in Hebrew) "On Rosh Hashanna it is written; on Yom Kippur it is sealed." referring to God's decree regarding our fate in the coming year. The idea is, you get a last chance to undo the bad stuff you may have done and do the good stuff you may have omitted. "Repentence, prayer, and giving alms" may soften the Heavenly decree. Emphasis (as always) on giving alms. Oddly to most Christians I think, God CANNOT forgive offenses against another person; only THAT PERSON may forgive. There is no "going to confession". God essentially says, "Who am I to speak for Shmuel? You need to make it right with Shmuel to make it right with me." As I have said before, anyone wishing to feel the very soul of the Jews' world should attend a kol nidre service.