Thursday began the 10-day period so sacred to Judaism that it is
known as the High Holy Days. this year, Rosh Hashana began on the
evening of Wednesday, Sept. 15. Along with fellow Jews around the
world, members of the South County’s Congregation Emeth will
participate in ancient rituals that reflect the essence of being a
Jew.
Thursday began the 10-day period so sacred to Judaism that it is known as the High Holy Days. this year, Rosh Hashana began on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 15. Along with fellow Jews around the world, members of the South County’s Congregation Emeth will participate in ancient rituals that reflect the essence of being a Jew.
Rosh Hashanah was the first day of the new year in the Jewish calendar, this year 5765. Jewish holidays always begin at dusk the evening before, based on the Biblical verse, “There was evening, there was morning, one day.” Traditional Jewish commentary conveys the image that at this time God’s great Book of Judgment is opened. During these “Ten Days of Awe” will be decided who will be rewarded for good deeds done in life and who will be punished for sins committed and unrepented. Worshipers search their souls and repent; their fate is weighed in the balance.
The hopeful wish expressed in many High Holy Day greeting cards reflects this overall theme of weighing judgment. It is typically some variation of the greeting extended between congregants during this season: “May your name be inscribed in the Book of Life.”
A special prayer book, the “Machzor,” is used during the High Holy Days; It emphasizes both God’s justice and mercy. Since He will decide who will prosper or suffer, actions like prayer, repentance, and charity are felt to be important in influencing this verdict. An essential feature of the synagogue ritual is the blowing of the “shofar,” an ancient trumpet-like instrument made from a carved ram’s horn. The shofar symbolizes the ram caught in a thicket when Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac; it was also the instrument used by Joshua in the biblical accounts describing the destruction of the ancient city of Jericho. The loud, piercing notes of this trumpet are intended to urge the listener: “Wake up! Get serious now!”
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the climax of this penitential season. It is a day of absolute fasting and repentance. The Yom Kippur worship service begins in the synagogue at sundown; it opens with the “Kol Nidre,” a chant which reviews the vows between man and God.
The central part of the service is an elaborate confession of sins, listed alphabetically. These confessions are both individual and communal, “for all Jews are responsible for each other.”
The concluding service of Yom Kippur is called “Ne’ilah,” meaning “closing the gate.” It represents the last, urgent chance for repentance on the one hand, for divine forgiveness on the other. Legend has it that at this closing of the Gate of Heaven, the fate of each individual is sealed for the year to come. At the climax of the service, the stirring sound of the shofar is once again heard, bringing to a close the fast of Yom Kippur.
Congregation Emeth’s High Holy Day observances are held at the Morgan Hill Community Center (17000 Monterey Street), led by Rabbi Yitzak Miller and Cantorial Soloist Mark Levy. This evening’s sermon topic is “Forming a Jewish Identity,” which promises to have extra relevance because it is based on the last words of Daniel Pearl, the American journalist murdered by terrorists in Pakistan.
Because the Jewish calendar is lunar-based, holidays fall at different times of the year. This year Yom Kippur coincides with the first day of The Taste of Morgan Hill, which includes a car show at the Community Center. Fortunately, accommodations have been made which should minimize interference with the day’s religious services.
The Morgan Hill Times is sponsoring community forums Saturday and Sunday for Mayoral, City Council, and School Board candidates. When Editor Walt Glines discovered Jewish residents were unable to participate on Saturday because of Yom Kippur, he changed the format of the forums to eliminate this problem. “The way this situation was resolved,” said Rabbi Miller, “is another indication of why Morgan Hill is a wonderful town.”
For more information about High Holy Days call (408) 847-4111 or check out a very informative Web site at at www.emeth.net.
