10 September 2022

Here are ten basic facts about the High Holidays:

1. The Holidays that make up the ‘High Holidays’ are Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. By extension it applies to the days in-between as well.
2. In Hebrew these two Chagim are called Yamim Nora’im – The days of Awe.
3. The days in-between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur together with RH and YK are called ‘Aseret Yemei Teshuva’ – the Ten Days of Repentance.
4. The High Holidays are observed in the Hebrew Month of Tishrei. The word Tishrei came from Babylon and it means ‘Beginning’, or immersion in water – ‘purification’.
5. The first day of Rosh Hashana can only fall on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Shabbat.
6. The first day of Rosh Hashana is the day the first human being, Adam, was created. This is why it is the day Hashem judges us, to assess whether we are fulfilling our life’s purpose.
7. The central observance of Rosh Hashana is hearing the Shofar, and the central observance of Yom Kippur is afflicting yourself, which includes fasting, no bathing, no anointing with oil or creams, no leather shoes and no physical intimacy.
8. The prayer of Yizkor – remembering close relatives is said on Yom Kippur and on Shmini Atzeret – the eighth day of Sukkot during the service.
9. The white robe worn on Yom Kippur is called ‘Kittel’. The white represents purity and the cleansing of our sins. It also represents that we are like angels on this day, abstaining from eating and focusing on the spiritual experience of Yom Kippur.
10. Rosh Hashana is the only festival of the year that is observed for two days world wide, including in Israel.

Shana Tova and Shabbat Shalom!

Chaim and Dina