Judaism Festivals

Judaism is one of the world's four great monotheistic religions. It is identified as the religious culture of Jewish people and makes up the cultural system of Jewish law, tradition, and customs. It is also the smallest with a following of around 15 million people worldwide. Judaism is inextricably linked with a system of beliefs.The "Torah" is considered the holy book of Jews. Studying the ' Torah ' is considered as an act of worship.

On each sabbath and festivals, the 'Torah" is read religiously.In the Jewish year, major festivals includes passover, Shabuoth, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur and two minor ones; Hanukkah and Purim.



Pesach / Passover

This festival of historical and agricultural significance falls on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan and is related to the Exodus from Egypt after 400 years of slavery. Historically it ropes in with Christianity's Last Supper which was apparently a Passover seder and agriculturally it represents the onset of the harvest season. The main significance of Pesach is the removal of chametz (leaven) from our homes which indirectly denotes that the people left Egypt in such a hurry where they didn't give time for their bread to rise. Thus in this festival the Jews try to attain spiritual freedom as the physical liberation from slavery. On the eve of Passover friends and the family member gather around the seder table and various religious ceremonies are performed on the evenings of Passover. This is followed by different preparations of several foods and has prayer ceremonies where they sing songs in praise of God and talk about the departure from Egypt.

Rosh Hashanah

The Jews consider Rosh Hashanah as solemn and holy time for though it is the day of New Year celebrations for it is believed on this day God opens his book of life, studies his creatures and decides carefully on its fate for the future. According to astrology it falls in the month of Tishri, commemorating anniversary of Creation and the year number is changed. This festival also celebrates the kingship of HaShem's. As an acknowledgement to the New Year the Jews starts celebration on nightfall the day before Rosh Hashanah and they have bath and wear special clothes and give treats to friends and family members. However the Jews have a set of forbidden things which is not to be done. Usually women light candles before sunset of the first night and a half-hour before sunset on the second night of Rosh Hashanah. They offer prayers and recite the prayer books for the showers of almighty.

Yom Kippur

This sacred day or the �day of atonement� falls on the 10th day of the Jewish Month of Tishri and during which people fast for 25 hours. On this day people repent for all the bad deeds they have done and ask forgiveness for his or her sins from God and also make resolution for not repeating the same in future. The period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is known as Days of Repentance or Days of Awe for people get a chance to feel sorry or repent for the sins they have done and apologize to God and to the concerned person. The eve of Yom Kippur starts at sunset where the people have bath and sit for the chanting of special prayers. Apart from children below thirteen years and pregnant women a complete Sabbath is to be observed by all. The fasting begins before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. Thus in this 25 hour fasting the Jews should totally refrain themselves from food and drinking of water.

Chanukah

Chanukkah is a festival celebrated for eight days beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev.This festival is also known as festival of lights which has close proximity to Christmas. Many customs of this festival has similarities with that of Christmas like exchange of gifts and decoration and at times is also referred as Jewish Christmas. But historically this festival has its roots in a revolution against assimilation and suppression of Jewish religion which has become the most assimilated and secular holiday. The celebration of Chanukah is symbolized by an eight-branched candle stand or menorah where one candle is lit on the first night, followed by two candles on the second night and so on. Finally on the day of Chanukah, it is a traditional custom for the Jews to eat fried foods and singing of the traditional song "Maoz Tzur" as a part of celebration.

Purim

Purim festival is celebrated with fun and enthusiasm by the Jews on 15 Adar and is declared as a local holiday. According to the legend the significance of Purim is due to the clandestine intervention of Hashem, using Queen Esther and Mordechai as His messengers during whom the Jews were spared, and instead the nation of Israel was able to avenge themselves against their enemies. This event of defeating the oppressed which is recounted in the Megillah, the scroll of the story of Esther commemorates the celebration of Purim. The eve of Purim and its custom include food baskets, hamantashen pastries, a festive meal, charity, Purim parades, Purim plays, carnivals, costumes and noisemakers. Thus this day is celebrated for pageantry, frivolity and generosity to friends and the needy.

Related Links


• Jewish Views Of Astrology

• Hebrew Numerology