A NEW YEAR ALREADY?!
September 9, 2010
TORONTO— Today marks the beginning
of a new year for almost 400, 000 Jewish
people across Canada (2001 census). In
Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, plainly,
"Head of the Year” signifying Jewish New
Years, and is ten days prior to the next feast:
Yom Kippur. While most think that
Hannukah is the most important Jewish
celebration, Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur are actually the two most important
celebrations recognized by the Jewish faith.
Rosh Hashana is a two-day long
celebration. One of the main events is
hearing the blowing of the shophar (a ram’s
horn) in the synagogue. Each day, a total of
100 notes are sounded—there is no other
reason for this practice besides the fact that
it has been done in biblical times. This day
is also called the “Day of Memorial” or the
“Day of Judgement”.
It is believed that during this day, the
books of heaven are opened. It is required
that they examine their lives and repent for
any wrongs they have committed throughout
the previous year. One must try to make
amends wherever possible. Also, like any
other celebration, the greeting is, "L'shanah
tovah tikatev v'taihatem" which means “May
a good year be inscribed for you,” this is
said after the synagogue service.
The name “Yom Kippur” means
“Day of Atonement”. It is a day to focus on
one’s soul, to atone for the sins of the past
year.
On Yom Kippur, one of the key concepts is
confession. The Jewish people ask G-d to
pardon their sins and for mercy, for they
believe that G-d is compassionate. This day
is, essentially, the last chance to change the
judgment, to demonstrate repentance and
make amends before the books of heavens
are closed.
During this day, the Jewish people
are expected to wear white, which
symbolizes purity and calls to mind the
promise that our sins shall be made as white
as snow. Traditional Jewish people expected
to wear canvas shoes (no leather shoes) and
to not drink or eat for the time being.
The day begins at sundown and the
day consists of meditation, prayer, and
solemn fasting. This is done in a service at
the synagogue. During the service, a hymn is
sung called the Kol Nidre. While most
people think that Kol Nidre is a prayer, it is
actually a legal formula.
According to Rabbi Dr. Louis Jacobs
an interpretation given to the Kol Nidre is:
"See, O Lord, what miserable sinners we
are. We make promises to live better lives
each year and yet always fall far short of
keeping them. Therefore, help us, O Lord,
and pardon us for our shortcomings."
This service includes a memorial for
the departed. The shophar is blown once
again to signify the end of the celebration,
the end of Yom Kippur and he beginning of
a new year.
By: Cathy Ho