The High Holy Days

By Tzippe Barrow

CBNNews.com

CBNNews.com- What's held the Jewish people together over millennia? What's allowed them to overcome persecution, pogroms, the Nazis Holocaust, and other efforts to annihilate them? The faithful observance of the biblical feasts, recorded in the Torah , has played a key role.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts'".

Despite the difficulties and challenges facing Israel today, Jewish families-religious and secular alike-gathered around festive holiday tables on Friday evening to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, literally, "the head of the year" or New Year, which falls on the first of Hebrew month of Tishri.

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets , a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD'".

The process of preparing one's heart to repent before the Lord begins during the preceding month of Elul. Judaism teaches that before repenting before God, one must get things right with people. So if there's anyone to whom one should ask forgiveness, this is the time to do it.

Every morning during this month, Jews pray through Psalm 27, which also helps prepare their hearts for repentance. As Rosh Hashanah approaches, Israelis begin greeting one another with hag sameach or shana tova u'metuka.

Rosh Hashanah begins the 10 Days of Awe , which end with Yom Kippur , a solemn day of fasting and prayer. During these days of repentance, tradition teaches that one may ask God to be inscribed in the Book of Life for another year.

Following on the heels of Yom Kippur is Sukkot, when families build a sukka to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD…You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God'".

During this festive holiday, families enjoy their meals in the sukka, with its palm-branched roof that allows the stars to peek through. Children love helping to decorate it with hanging fruit, drawings and whatever other artwork suits their fancy. Jerusalem restaurants build a sukka on the sidewalk so even when dining out, the commandment may be observed.

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