How to observe the Jewish High Holy Days
The Jewish High Holy Days represent an opportunity for intense self-examination and self-improvement in a religious context. Taken together, Rosh Hashanah (The New Year) and Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) provide a structure for focusing your priorities, and these days have been observed by Jews for thousands of years. Customs vary from community to community, but the basic elements of repentance and renewal are common to all. A successful High Holy Days leaves you with a feeling of deep satisfaction, as the holidays allow you to review the previous year, come to terms with your failings, and reach for a higher level of spirituality.
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Things You'll Need
- Mahzor (Holiday prayer book)
- Ceremonial foods (various traditions)
- Kittel (for married men in Orthodox congregations)
Instructions
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Prepare for the High Holidays by observing local customs for the preceding month (Elul in the Hebrew calendar). Some customs, such as the midnight Selihot services, vary widely from congregation to congregation, but all place emphasis on using the 30 days before Rosh Hashanah to begin the process of self-examination necessary to effect positive change during the High Holidays themselves. This period of repentance, or "teshuvah" in Hebrew, will continue through to the end of Yom Kippur. It is customary to visit the graves of relatives and loved ones at this time.
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Purchase a high-quality Mahzor, or holiday prayer book. The liturgy for the High Holidays is significantly different than the rest of the year, so a regular prayer book is insufficient. Liturgies also differ from congregation to congregation, so it's best to contact your Rabbi for guidance--it may be very difficult to follow the service if you don't have the same page numbers as everyone else. Fortunately, there are many high-quality Hebrew-English editions available. Note that you may need two separate Mahzors (one for Rosh Hashanah and one for Yom Kippur) if your congregation does not use a single-volume edition.
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Determine where you intend to observe the High Holidays, both in terms of the services and in terms of the ceremonial meals. Many synagogues and temples use the High Holy Days as their major fundraising drive, and worshipers purchase tickets to attend--if this presents a financial difficulty, contact the Rabbi, who typically has some discretionary authority to include non-members.
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Consult with the Rabbi on local customs of observance. In an Orthodox congregation, for example, married men often wear the Kittel, a long white robe, on Yom Kippur. The Rabbi may also be able to arrange for hospitality during the ceremonial meals. Orthodox congregations also celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah, whereas other movements may only celebrate one.
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Purchase the ceremonial foods for Rosh Hashanah. Larger festive meals are eaten twice a day on Rosh Hashanah, and the evening meals also include the "simanei milta," selected foods such as an apple dipped in honey and a bite of pomegranate, which are considered auspicious beginnings to the New Year. The full list of these foods appropriate for your community are found in the Mahzor.
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Attend prayer services. Times and duration will vary from congregation to congregation, but note that Jewish holidays begin in the evening and continue through the next day. Most congregations observe two days of Rosh Hashanah, some only one.
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Stand by a body of water for the "tashlikh" ceremony, which is traditionally performed on the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah (although it may be done anytime until Yom Kippur). The text of this prayer is located in your Mahzor.
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Observe personal stringency during the Ten Days of Teshuvah, which separate Rosh Hashanah from Yom Kippur. Many choose to be stricter with their observance of Jewish laws, and to improve interpersonal relationships with apologies for their behavior over the year. It is appropriate to donate additional charity during this period, and some do this through a special ritual called "kaparot."
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Fast on Yom Kippur. The holiday imposes five specific restrictions: eating and drinking, marital relations, washing, applying oil, and wearing leather shoes.
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Perform a good deed immediately after breaking the fast at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. Many have the custom of beginning the construction of the Sukkah, a special hut that is required for the upcoming holiday of Sukkot.
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Tips & Warnings
The High Holidays, spread over ten days, require a great deal of focus and stamina for maximum personal benefit. Use the prior month of Elul to prepare yourself spiritually.
Be sure to consult a competent, trained Rabbi on the customs of your community.
References
- Photo Credit jerusalem image by Claudia Liebram from Fotolia.com
