L’Shana Tova. It is the greeting heard round the world as Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah — the New Year. This year, 5785, will be another year wishing people happiness, prosperity and to be …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
|
L’Shana Tova. It is the greeting heard round the world as Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah — the New Year. This year, 5785, will be another year wishing people happiness, prosperity and to be inscribed for a good year.
Every year at Rosh Hashanah, which literally means “head of the year,” Jews commemorate the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the “Days of Awe,” a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday, also known as the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the two “High Holy Days” in the Jewish religion. And, in Cranston, it usually means at least two days off from school.
The Holiday of Rosh Hashanah is marked by sounding of the shofar, or ram’s horn. The shofar is blown in long, short and staccato blasts that follow a set sequence:
Teki’ah (long sound), Shevarim (three broken sounds), Teru’ah (nine short sounds), Teki’ah Gedolah (very long sound) and Shevarim Teru’ah (three broken sounds followed by nine short sounds). The shofar blower is a position of honor and considered to be a privilege to be part of the service.
The shofar is blown at various instances during the Rosh Hashanah prayers, and the total number of blasts over the day is 100.
Rosh Hashanah begins the period of self-review and analysis. Was I a good person? Did I do good deeds? Did I help someone in need? Did I put others before myself? And other self-reflections, because at Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) your fate will be sealed for another year in the Book of Life.
The 10-day period between the two holidays is when God judges, reviews and examines your behavior from the previous year and decides who will live and whom will die.
On Rosh Hashanah, some Jews practice a custom known as tashlich (“casting off”), in which they throw pieces of bread into a flowing body of water while reciting prayers. As the bread, which symbolizes the sins of the past year, is swept away, those who embrace this tradition are spiritually cleansed and renewed.
For most Jews, they will attend temple services on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. However, this being a post Covid world, and with more technology than ever, a large percentage of people will be watching services via ZOOM.
Like with any Jewish holiday, there are special and specific foods related to the celebration.
Because you wish people a sweet New Year, the combination of apples and honey is a stalwart on Jewish tables.
Also, the appearance of the special round challah (eggy bread).
Usually, challah is prepared in a braided design, to symbolize unity, but the round challah has been interpreted as the cycle of the year, the circle of life, or even to represent a crown, symbolizing God is king.
As with the holiday of Christmas, people tend to be nicer, embracing the ideology of “good will towards men,” so does the spirit of Rosh Hashanah teach us to do good all year long; and simply be the best one can be.
At Temple Sinai, in Cranston, Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser has the daunting task of speaking to his congregation about the events from Oct. 7, 2023.
“For the last year, we have been praying for an end to the war and the immediate release of the hostages, 101 of whom are still unaccounted for in Gaza,” said Goldwasser.
While Rosh Hashanah is a time to celebrate and enjoy life’s blessings, it is a hard time for Jews to find much to be celebratory about.
“While I will enjoy having the traditional Yontif (holiday) meal with my family, and look forward to seeing many older friends at temple, I cannot help but think about those who cannot be with their families this year,” said Emeline Gardner, of Cranston.
Editor’s Note: Pam Schiff, a Cranston resident, has been a contributor to the Cranston Herald for more than 15 years.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here