The Major
SHABBAT
The Sabbath
The weekly Shabbat observance begins
at sundown each Friday evening with
the lighting of candles at home and a
synagogue service called Kabbalat
Shabbat.
Friday night observances at home
often include a festive dinner that begins
by reciting the Kiddush, the prayer over
wine, and HaMotzi, the prayer over chat-
la (egg bread). Saturday observances for
Shabbat include services, a festive lunch-
eon and an afternoon of rest. A light
third meal, called seuda shilishit (pro-
nounced "sooda shillysheet"), also is tra-
ditional.
Shabbat concludes on Saturday night
with the Havdala (separation) ceremony.
Spices, a special braided candle and wine
are used in this Sabbath closing ceremo-
ny.
ROSH CHODESH
First Day Of The New Month
Rosh Chodesh means "head of the
month." It is noted by reciting special
prayers during the regular Shabbat serv-
ices, including Hallel, a series of psalms.
Tradition tells us that because women
did not participate in the sin of the
Golden Calf in the wilderness, they were
given Rosh Chodesh as a gift. For this rea-
son, women's study sessions and prayer
groups often meet on Rosh Chodesh.
ROSH HASHANA
Jewish New Year
Rosh HaShana (Tishrei 1 -2) begins a 10-
day period of repentance that lasts
through Yom Kippur.
The shofar, usually a ram's horn, is
blown during services. Home observanc-
es include festive meals with traditional
foods, such as a round loaf of challa and
apples dipped in honey, symbolizing
wholeness and sweetness for the new
year.
New Year's greeting cards often are
sent to friends and family. On the first
day of Rosh HaShana, it is traditional to
drop breadcrumbs into a river or pond
as symbols of "casting away our sins."
This ceremony is called tashlich.
TZOM GEDALIAH
Fast of Gedaliah
This minor fast day (Tishrei 3) recalls
the slaying of Gedaliah, who the
Babylonians appointed governor of
Judah after they captured Jerusalem in
586 B.C.E. He and his aides were killed
by another Jew, Ishmael Nethaniah,
who sought disunity and disruption.
Some see this holiday as a paradigm for
the Jewish community today, when it is
often marked by strife and disunity
within.
YOM KIPPUR
Day Of Atonement
The most solemn day of the year
(Tishrei 10), Yom Kippur concludes the
High Holy Days. Yom Kippur is
marked by fasting, prayer
and teshuva (repentance) as
Jews reflect on their relationships
with other people and with God.
Prior to sunset on the evening before
Yom Kippur, families eat a pre-fasting
meal, candles are lit and everyone goes
26 •
SOURCEBOOK 2000 • JN