9.08.2010

Shana Tovah!


    Today is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year! They are beginning (counting from creation) the year 5771. Rosh Hashanah is all about reconciliation with your neighbor to start the year off right. If someone feels they have wronged their brother or friend, the will go repair the relationship. It's the first of the High Holidays - a ten day repentance period also known as the "Days of Awe" - that ends with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah is also noted for its memorial by shofar blowing.
     Everyone dresses up for dinner, and usually they wear white. I will be experiencing my first Rosh Hashanah dinner tonight. One thing on the menu will be apples and honey, symbolizing a sweet and fruitful new year. The pomegranate is also an important fruit here in Israel. It's made up of hundreds of seeds. The tradition is that it has as many seeds as laws in the Torah.


     Since Rosh Hashanah is observed as a day of rest, most shops closed up around 2pm today. There were tons of deals when my friends went out earlier as the shops are all having their "end of the year" sales. Though anticipation is in the air and everyone is greeting well wishes of a good year ("Shana Tovah"), there is a solemness about this holiday. It is more serious than festive, which really makes you think. It is amazing how reverent the people here are. Sabbath really is quiet, a true day of rest. The holidays are similar. Though, the Feast of Tabernacles is up and coming, a time of celebration. Perhaps I'll yet see dancing in the streets of Jerusalem...

3 comments:

a girl with a smile said...

I love the shofar. I hear it and I feel the Spirit beckoning me!
About the sales, what a great time to shop!!
September is said to be one of the best months, and now I see that the Israelites have a lot to do with it; it's their new year!

The Burge Family said...

What great timing to be in Israel for the New Year and day of Atonement; will you still be there for the Feast of the Tabernacles?

Candice said...

How cool is that?! Brittany, you are so blessed to be able to experience all of this! I trust you are journaling all of these amazing experiences..Keep searching for those 'thin places' over there. I am sure that His presence is beyond abundant!

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