"Yom Kippur" Part I: The Sound of a Silent Nation

Right now, this very day, this very hour, Jews around the world and especially in Israel are observing the most holy and sacred holiday in Jewish and Israeli history.

This is "the day of atonement." The day that Jews repent of their sins to God, seeking his mercy, not his judgement on their lives for their actions and choices over the past year. This day is instituted in the book of Leviticus, Chapter 16: verses 29,30. It is written:

"In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and you shall not do any work ... For on that day he shall provide atonement for you to cleanse you from all your sins before the L-RD."

To observe this holiday, typically Jews "fast" or refrain from eating or drinking (even water) for a 25 hour period. They do not work either. Basically, the whole country shuts down. All public transporation, restaurants, malls, stores... everything.

My most vivid memory from this holiday while I was in Israel, was the sheer and utter silence of the day from the complete shut down of all public life. ...... Well, this and the memory of my Jewish boyfriend telling me he hopes God doesn't judge him for dating a non- Jewish girl!

New Year's Already?

Thank goodness this gentile (me) still has time to make her New Year's Resolutions... but if I was Jewish,  I would have celebrated "New Years" about a week ago.

The Jewish "New Years" is known as Rosh HaShanah. Here's a little Hebrew lesson to help you understand  the name of the holiday: Rosh translates to "head," Ha translates to "the" and shana is the Hebrew word for "year." Put it all together and what do we have? The "head" (or 'beginning') of the year.

Rosh Hashanah is celebrated for two days because for Jews, it is too important of a holiday to be observed for just one day- this, after all, is the day commemorating God's creation of man.

Here's a fun fact about the holiday: people typically eat and pass out apples dipped in honey as a wish or blessing that friends and family will have a sweet, new year.  :)

Shabbat Shalom!

Take a look at this dinner table. All the food in these 10 plus casserole dishes is fresh and homemade. Nothing less would due, because tonight is a special night.

Tonight, friends and family gather together, just like they have each Friday night for the past.. well... 2,000 years. Talk about tradition!

The Jewish 'day of rest' known as 'Shabbat' begins this evening.  Starting Friday afternoon, all stores and public transportation close down until Shabbat ends the following evening.

A typical Friday afternoon is thus spent stocking up on groceries to last through the weekend... perhaps going to the market and then gathering with loved ones for dinner (and in my case, taking a cab home afterwards because there are no buses running!) ;)

And of course, its not Shabbat without hearing the familiar Friday blessing from strangers and friends alike: "Shabbat Shalom" which essentially means, "Peaceful Shabbat." ;)