Happy Rosh Hashanah
Oct 3rd, 2005 | 06:19 PM
#2
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
And I also send my good wishes for a Happy Rosh Hashanah and Happy New Year.
I could not post earlier as Fodors would not let me log on.
Peace, joy and good health to all my dear Jewish friends for this coming year. Blessings to all of you.
I could not post earlier as Fodors would not let me log on.
Peace, joy and good health to all my dear Jewish friends for this coming year. Blessings to all of you.
Oct 4th, 2005 | 04:40 AM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 0
Happy New Year to all!
L' Shana Tova--a sweet new year.
BTW, a little bragging rights. Just had my first holiday meal for some friends and my DH's family. I pulled it off (woo hoo) though I cooked for 40 people and the amount of leftovers I have is unreal!! Anyone want some??
L' Shana Tova--a sweet new year.
BTW, a little bragging rights. Just had my first holiday meal for some friends and my DH's family. I pulled it off (woo hoo) though I cooked for 40 people and the amount of leftovers I have is unreal!! Anyone want some??
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Oct 4th, 2005 | 05:00 AM
#11
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,981
Likes: 0
Happy New Year!!! I'll take some of those leftovers! OWJ, for those of us not Jewish, how about a brief lesson in what will be happening for the next two weeks during the Holy Days leading up to Yom Kippur? Rosh Hashanah ends Wednesday?
Oct 4th, 2005 | 06:11 AM
#14
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Here's a brief overview of the fall Jewish holidays:
October 4-5: Rosh Hashanah, or the "head of the year" is celebrated as a two day holiday, a time for reflection on the past year, and a time for hope for the coming year. The time from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur is also referred to as the "High Holy Days" and are holidays focused on religion, as opposed to historical or natural events. On Rosh Hashanah, G-d has judged most of mankind and has recorded his judgment in the Book of Life.
The shofar, or ram's horn, is sounded on both days of Rosh Hashanah. The oldest and most soulful of wind instruments, the shofar awakens observers to repent for their sins. On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, a body of water (lake, pond, river or sea) that contains live fish is visited. Special prayers are given to "cast away sins".
There are actually three festive meals served on Rosh Hashanah, the "eve" and the two following days. It is customary to include foods that symbolize sweetness, blessings and abundance for the coming year. Again, most families have large gatherings, and plenty of dishes for the holiday. Turkey has become a popular choice, often supplemented by one or more chicken dishes (sweetened with honey, using fruit as an ingredient). Chopped liver, plenty of kugels (a noodle pudding) and often a brisket and tzimmes are served. Honey cake is a popular dessert.
A plate of sliced apples is a part of the menu and a slice of apple and challah bread are dipped into honey with wishes and hopes for a sweet year. Other special touches include pomegranate seeds, used in prepared dishes.
October 13: Yom Kippur is the most sacred of the Jewish holidays, the "Sabbath of Sabbaths". By Yom Kippur, the Book of Life is closed and sealed. Those who have repented for their sins are granted a good and happy new year. Since Yom Kippur is the day to ask forgiveness for promises broken to G-d, the day before is reserved for asking forgiveness for broken promises between people.
Yom Kipper is a day for "NOT" doing. Jews may not eat or drink, as fasting is the rule. The eve of Yom Kippur, however, is devoted to eating and preparing for the fast. In the afternoon, a table is set for the meal, which usually includes roast chicken or turkey and kreplach (filled noodle dough) as a customary dish. No wine is served with the meal, and highly seasoned foods are avoided to prevent intensifying thirst during the coming fast.
To break the fast after sunset following Yom Kippur., a dairy meal is usually served. Traditional foods include eggs, cheese, blintzes, sour cream, gefilte fish, whitefish, bagels and pickled herring.
October 17-26:
The eight days of Sukkot commemorate the flight of the Jews from Egypt and thanksgiving for the harvest. It is commanded in Leviticus 23:42, "During the seven days you must live in thatched huts (sukkoth)," to symbolize the temporary quarters in which the Jews lived during their exodus.
The "sukkah" or temporary hut with a roof of branches, is constructed outside the home and the synagogue. All meals are eaten in the sukkah during the festival, which is celebrated with special prayers and beautiful ceremonies. The beginning and last days of the festival are established as holy days (Leviticus 42:39) and no work is performed. Eating meals and spending time outdoors provide a unique religious experience.
Again, the foods prepared for the Sukkot are similar to those of the other festive holidays. Because Sukkot occurs at the time of the grain harvest, fresh and dried fruits and vegetables are served not only with the meals, but as a part of the recipes used. Poultry again reigns supreme, most often chicken; in recent years, the Sephardic dishes that incorporate lots of fragrant spices, fruits and nuts have become popular for this holiday.
Foods are also used to decorate the sukkah, with autumn fruits, vegetables and gourds adorning the roof. Clusters of grapes, red apples, eggplants, squashes and peppers embellish the hut and strings of cranberries and fresh flowers add a festive touch.
B/
October 4-5: Rosh Hashanah, or the "head of the year" is celebrated as a two day holiday, a time for reflection on the past year, and a time for hope for the coming year. The time from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur is also referred to as the "High Holy Days" and are holidays focused on religion, as opposed to historical or natural events. On Rosh Hashanah, G-d has judged most of mankind and has recorded his judgment in the Book of Life.
The shofar, or ram's horn, is sounded on both days of Rosh Hashanah. The oldest and most soulful of wind instruments, the shofar awakens observers to repent for their sins. On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, a body of water (lake, pond, river or sea) that contains live fish is visited. Special prayers are given to "cast away sins".
There are actually three festive meals served on Rosh Hashanah, the "eve" and the two following days. It is customary to include foods that symbolize sweetness, blessings and abundance for the coming year. Again, most families have large gatherings, and plenty of dishes for the holiday. Turkey has become a popular choice, often supplemented by one or more chicken dishes (sweetened with honey, using fruit as an ingredient). Chopped liver, plenty of kugels (a noodle pudding) and often a brisket and tzimmes are served. Honey cake is a popular dessert.
A plate of sliced apples is a part of the menu and a slice of apple and challah bread are dipped into honey with wishes and hopes for a sweet year. Other special touches include pomegranate seeds, used in prepared dishes.
October 13: Yom Kippur is the most sacred of the Jewish holidays, the "Sabbath of Sabbaths". By Yom Kippur, the Book of Life is closed and sealed. Those who have repented for their sins are granted a good and happy new year. Since Yom Kippur is the day to ask forgiveness for promises broken to G-d, the day before is reserved for asking forgiveness for broken promises between people.
Yom Kipper is a day for "NOT" doing. Jews may not eat or drink, as fasting is the rule. The eve of Yom Kippur, however, is devoted to eating and preparing for the fast. In the afternoon, a table is set for the meal, which usually includes roast chicken or turkey and kreplach (filled noodle dough) as a customary dish. No wine is served with the meal, and highly seasoned foods are avoided to prevent intensifying thirst during the coming fast.
To break the fast after sunset following Yom Kippur., a dairy meal is usually served. Traditional foods include eggs, cheese, blintzes, sour cream, gefilte fish, whitefish, bagels and pickled herring.
October 17-26:
The eight days of Sukkot commemorate the flight of the Jews from Egypt and thanksgiving for the harvest. It is commanded in Leviticus 23:42, "During the seven days you must live in thatched huts (sukkoth)," to symbolize the temporary quarters in which the Jews lived during their exodus.
The "sukkah" or temporary hut with a roof of branches, is constructed outside the home and the synagogue. All meals are eaten in the sukkah during the festival, which is celebrated with special prayers and beautiful ceremonies. The beginning and last days of the festival are established as holy days (Leviticus 42:39) and no work is performed. Eating meals and spending time outdoors provide a unique religious experience.
Again, the foods prepared for the Sukkot are similar to those of the other festive holidays. Because Sukkot occurs at the time of the grain harvest, fresh and dried fruits and vegetables are served not only with the meals, but as a part of the recipes used. Poultry again reigns supreme, most often chicken; in recent years, the Sephardic dishes that incorporate lots of fragrant spices, fruits and nuts have become popular for this holiday.
Foods are also used to decorate the sukkah, with autumn fruits, vegetables and gourds adorning the roof. Clusters of grapes, red apples, eggplants, squashes and peppers embellish the hut and strings of cranberries and fresh flowers add a festive touch.
B/
Oct 4th, 2005 | 07:49 AM
#16
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,130
Likes: 0
birgater, thanks so much for that info. I have a very dear friend who I talk to by email often regarding her Jewish traditions during celebratory times of year since she is just about the only close Jewish friend I have and I am fascinated by her faith. Having been raised Catholic myself it is quite different from my own.
I will let her know that you explained even more to me. Thanks again.
I will let her know that you explained even more to me. Thanks again.
Oct 4th, 2005 | 08:05 AM
#17
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 0
I'm chiming in with good wishes for all, although I'm very much a lapsed Jew and my sweetie is an umistakeable WASP. 
It's probably been mentioned here previously, but one of the guiding principles of most of our holidays is: "They tried to kill us. They couldn't. Let's eat."
It's probably been mentioned here previously, but one of the guiding principles of most of our holidays is: "They tried to kill us. They couldn't. Let's eat."
Oct 4th, 2005 | 10:12 AM
#18
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 0
Oct 5th, 2005 | 03:24 PM
#19
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,419
Likes: 0
Shana Tova! Ahhh, no more dipping of bread and apples in honey for a sweet year... And the sounds of me blowing the shofar drives my kids crazy which adds to the holiday And the holidays will continue through almost the end of October!
Wish all Fodorites to be inscribed in the Book of Life!
And the holidays will continue through almost the end of October! Wish all Fodorites to be inscribed in the Book of Life!
