Next week marks an important tradition for Jews around the
world: the 10 Days of Awe, a time marked by symbolism, cleansing
and repentance
The 10 Days of Awe begin next week for Jews worldwide, beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur. These 10 days, referred to as the High Holy Days, are among the holiest on the Jewish calendar.
Rosh Hashanah, which begins this year at sunset on Sept. 22 and ends at sunset on Sept. 23, is commonly called the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur, also called the Day of Atonement, begins at sunset Oct. 1 and ends at sunset Oct. 2.
“It’s a time to celebrate the coming of the new year, but at the same time, it’s a time of reflection,” said Raul Fernandez, a member of Congregation Emeth, the South Valley’s Reform Jewish congregation. “During the High Holy Days, you reflect on your life over the past year, you ask God for forgiveness for your sins and then you look ahead to the upcoming year. You think about how you can be better, and you ask God for blessings in the coming year.”
Aspects of the Days of Awe can be seen as a parallel to other major religions’ holy days, Fernandez explained. For example, the Islamic month of Ramadan, a month of reflection and atonement, begins this year on the same day as Yom Kippur. The Catholic observation of Lent, the 40 days before Easter, is a similar solemn time of reflection and contemplation.
At the most basic level, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have some similarities to the secular American new year, said Joyce Maskell, a Morgan Hill resident and member of Congregation Emeth.
“For (the secular) new year, we think about the past year, think about the new year and we make resolutions, like maybe losing some weight or whatever,” she said. “In some ways, the Jewish new year is similar, but with a much deeper meaning. You examine yourself on the inside and decide how you want to make yourself better. The resolutions you make are much more profound than simply losing weight. They are about being a better person.”
On Yom Kippur, Jews spend all day at temple and go without food or water all day. During services, congregants hear an extensive list of sins ranging from gluttony, slander and gossip to talking back to parents.
“You listen to these sins, and you put your fist to your chest and you think about the sins you are guilty of,” Maskell explained. “In the prayers and songs we sing, we ask God to please forgive us. It’s a very somber day.”
Despite the somber nature of these services, Fernandez described them as beautiful and explained they are an opportunity for people to grow from the time they’ve spent reflecting on themselves.
The Days of Awe are also the time when Jews believe God evaluates his people and writes down names in the Book of Life. It is common for the Rabbi to offer prayers extending the wish to have each congregant’s name written in the Book of Life.
“While you’re reflecting and repenting, you’re also really aware of your own mortality,” Maskell said. “You pray that you and your loved ones will all be inscribed in the Book of Life for the coming year. We also have a special service for the immediate families of people who passed away during the previous year.”
After the fasting and somber contemplation of the High Holy Days, families sit down together and often with other families for a large meal to mark the end of the Days of Awe and a fresh start for the upcoming year.
