Judaism:Festivals

Victoria & Olivia November 28 2011

Purim: The Feast of Lots

• 14th day of Adar (6th month of the civil year)

• Celebration of Jewish deliverance as told in the Book of Esther.

Pesach: The Passover

• it commemorates the story of Exodus in which, the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt under Pharoh

• They only use unleavened bread. Jews did not have time to let their bread rise when leaving Egypt.

Shavuot: Jewish Holy Day

• 6th day of Sivan (or the Sunday following the 6th day of Sivan in the Karaite tradition)

• Dairy foods are eaten- cheesecake, blitzes, cheese kreplach, etc.

• Synagogue’s are decorated with roses, and or aromatic spices.

Rosh Hashanah: Head of the Year

• This marks the Jewish New Year- which is a time to begin introspection, looking back at mistakes of the past year and planning changes to make in the new year.

Yom Kippur: Day Of Atonement

• Observe this day as a holy day. Where a 25 hour period of fasting and intensive prayer is initiated. They often spend most of the day in synagogue services.

• Kol Nidre is an aramic declaration recited in the synagogue prior to the beginning of Yom Kippur.

Succoth: Feast of Booths, Feast of Tabernacles

• Hebrews were commanded to go on a pilgrimage to the Temple of Jerusalem

• During the morning service, worshippers would walk around the perimeter of the sanctuary

Chanukah: Hanukkah

• Jewish Christmas

• Retaking of the second Temple by this army and its rededication to God after the defilement decrees of the Selucid.

• Only enough oil to burn for one day- however it burned for 8 days. Enough time to prepare a fresh supply of oil.

Conclusion

We believe that the traditions and festivals practised by Jews

are one of a kind. Although they do not apply to our faith, we

believe they are still an important part of the Jewish way

of life.