JEWISH HOLIDAYS & RITUALS

Jewish Holidays to know Pesach Purim Rosh Hashanah Shavout Sukkot Yom Kippur Chanukah Shabbat                     

Pesach – aka Passover Significance Observance Remember the Exodus from Egypt Thank G-d for “passing over” the homes of the Jews when he sent the plagues on Egypt Observance Avoid all bread Retell Exodus story Ritual dinner called a seder 7-8 days, March & April

Purim Significance Observance Remember the Jews being saved from extermination in ancient Persia Purim = “lots” for the lottery system used to determine their deaths Observance Eat, drink, & be merry (like Halloween & Mardi Gras combined) Retell story of salvation in Persia and boo villain Ritual dinner called a seder 1 day, March & February

Rosh Hashanah Significance Observance Jewish New Year Reflection back on previous year & resolutions for future Observance Sound shofar (ram’s horn) Eat apples dipped in honey 2 days, September

Shavout – Festival of Weeks Significance Remember the giving of the Torah and the redemption of the Jews Fall harvest celebration 7 full weeks after Passover Observance Study the Torah & pray Eat meal of dairy only 2 days, May & June

Sukkot – Festival of Booths Significance Commemorates the wandering in the desert by the Jews for 40 years after the Exodus Fall harvest celebration Observance Build a temporary booth (sukkah) & eat & pray in it Wave branches in all directions symbolizing G-d is everywhere 7 days, Sept – Oct

Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement Significance Day of fasting and repentance to reconcile with G-d over the mistakes made in the past year Fall harvest celebration Observance No work, fast, attend synagogue services 25 hours, Sept – Oct

Chanukah – Festival of Lights Significance Commemorating rededication of the Temple after a revolt against the Greeks Miracle of the 8 day oil Observance Light candles Eat fried foods, play with dreidel 8 days, Nov & Dec

Shabbat – Sabbath Significance Observance Most important of all A weekly day of joyful rest and spiritual enrichment Observance Two commandments – remember & observe Pray in synagogue & eat with family Weekly starting Friday @ sundown to Saturday at sundown

Jewish Rites / Rituals brit milah / brit hayyim bar mitzvah / bat mitzvah Marriage Death Dietary Laws – Kosher Prayer

brit milah / brit hayyim Brit milah - commonly called the bris Ritual circumcision of Jewish males on 8th day of life Following commandment of G-d given to Abraham Brit hayyim Naming ceremony for Jewish female babies, also on 8th day of life

Bar Mitzvah – son of the commandment Age 13, Jewish boys become responsible to follow the Torah and commandments Transition to adulthood in Jewish community

Bat Mitzvah – daughter of the commandment Age 12, Jewish girls become responsible to follow the Torah and commandments Transition to adulthood in Jewish community

Marriage Judaism believes in soul mates Companionship, love, and procreation are primary reasons The ceremony Under a canopy, bride circles groom, prayers are said, groom smashes glass with right foot (symbolizes destruction of the Temple), rings exchanged

Death Not a tragedy in Judaism, but natural process and part of G-d’s plan Dead are never left alone No autopsies, embalming, or cremation; must be buried Body is cleaned & wrapped in linen & put in a simple coffin No open coffin Mourning occurs in stages Gravestones are customary

Dietary Laws - Kosher Kosher – Food that has been properly prepared and animals properly slaughtered by an expert according to Jewish dietary laws May not eat pork, shellfish, birds of prey May not mix milk & meat All blood drained from meat Utensils cannot contact non-kosher foods

Prayer Emphasis on group prayer 3x daily at synagogue/temple Basic Service The Amidah A group of salutations and prayers of praise to G-d The Sh’ma Pledge of faith – “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is One.” The Aliyah The public reading of a passage in from the Torah