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| The blowing of the shofar in synagogues around the world sounded the beginning of Rosh HaShanah. |
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Jews around the world will spend this week in celebration and contemplation of two major holidays with roots familiar to Old Testament readers.
Rosh HaShanah, or the Day of Judgment, marked the opening of the Ten Days of Repentance Oct. 4, and Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, begins Oct. 12 at sunset.
With the blowing of the ram’s horn, or Shofar, and special synagogue services, Rosh HaShanah is announced to the people.
Rosh HaShanah represents the seventh month of the Jewish year, reflecting the seven days of the creation of the world. During this time, Jews proclaim God as their one and true king, according to www.ou.org.
The original commandment of Rosh HaShanah is found in Lev. 25:2-7 when the Lord told the children of Israel to rest from their labors in remembrance of the seventh day of rest during the creation.
The Jews also recite the scriptural prayer, Psalm 24:3: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place?”
As the sun sets on Oct. 12, many Jews will begin fasting in celebration of Yom Kippur. Also known as the Day of Prayer, Yom Kippur allows Jews to focus on their service to God, according to www.ou.org.
“Today each individual focuses on himself and his personal Avodah, service to God. Known as a day of prayer, Yom Kippur does have numerous prayers associated with it. Most revolve around the central theme of repentance and return,” according to www.ou.org.
The day is spent in the synagogue, praying and fasting.
Lev. 23:27-28 gives the original commandment for Yom Kippur in that “it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the lord.”
While these two holidays were given to the children of Israel thousands of years ago, the descendants of Judah still remember the Lord in much the same ways today.
