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Holidays
Jewish holidays are, in the words of Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, "the master code of Judaism." The primary teachings of Judaism are imbedded in their messages: slavery and freedom, covenant with God, sin and the possibility of renewal, the celebration of life, assimilation and Jewish survival, the problem of evil, work and rest, etc. By understanding the holidays, one can review Jewish history, learn basic Jewish beliefs and values and encounter classic Jewish texts. But more than that, the Jewish holidays are a key to discovering the inner sanctum of this 4000 year old Jewish tradition. The person who lives their weekly, monthly and yearly rhythms holds the heart of the faith in his/her hands.
The sections below contain what we hope will be only the beginning of your exploration of beauty and meaning of Jewish holidays. For additional resources, check out the attached articles or websites in each section, visit the Beth El library or contact one of the rabbis.
(Note: the introductions to many of the sections below are based on chapters in Rabbi Wayne Dosick’s book, Living Judaism: The Complete Guide to Jewish Belief, Tradition and Practice. This is just one of many books that contain valuable information on Jewish holidays.)
Shabbat
Shabbat is the central, core celebration of Jewish life because it is a weekly reminder of the creation of the universe and an affirmation of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. More » |
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High Holidays
The beginning of a new year is filled with mixed emotions. In looking back on the previous year we focus on our failures, missed opportunities and the precious moments that slipped by. At the same time, the High Holydays provide us with a new year full of hope and renewal. More » |
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Sukkot
After spending three intense days in the synagogue, on Sukkot we move outdoors. Eating, reading, and even sleeping in a Sukkah puts us in touch with the wonders of nature. More » |
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Hanukkah
Hanukkah in our homes can warm our hearts during the cold days of December. Each night, as explained below, we light the Hanukkah menorah (hanukiyah) and sing Hanukkah songs. More » |
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Tu B'Shevat
Over the centuries, therefore, the holiday has served as an important link between Jews and the land of Israel. In recent years, its commemoration has been used to heighten the awareness of ecology and the responsibility of each person to preserve and enhance the earth. More » |
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Purim
The holiday of Purim is based on the story in Megillat Esther (the Bible’s Book of Esther). Scholars have had difficulty identifying the time and characters of the story from a historical perspective. More » |
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Pesah
The holiday of Pesah (Passover) commemorates the exodus of the Hebrew slaves from Egyptian slavery. It is also the springtime festival that celebrates the rebirth of the earth after the long, cold winter. More » |
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Yom HaShoah
Between 1939 and 1945, the Nazi Party, led by German Chancellor Adolph Hitler, engaged in the systematic attempt to kill every Jew in the world. Their "success," the death of six million Jews, was and remains, overwhelmingly devastating to the Jewish people. More » |
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Yom Haatzmaut
On May 14, 1948 (5th Iyar), the modern State of Israel declared independence. For the first time in almost 1,900 years, the Jewish people had a free and independent homeland in the biblically Promised Land. More » |
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Shavuot
As is true of all Jewish holidays, the festival of Shavout has many layers of meaning. Originally the conclusion to the barley harvest (begun at Pesah), Shavout was initially an agricultural holiday that was celebrated at the Temple in Jerusalem. More » |
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Tisha B`Av
Literally, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, Tisha B’Av commemorates the destruction of the Holy Temples in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and 70 CE. More » |
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