High Holy Days Flashcards
(44 cards)
What is Rosh Hashanah?
The Jewish new year/head of the Year. It is a time of repentance and preparation for the new year.
When does Rosh Hashanah take place?
Between early September and early October. Jewish holidays follow a lunar calendar.
How long is Rosh Hashanah?
2 days.
What is the festival that takes place 10 days after Rosh Hashanah?
Yom Kippur.
What do Jews do in the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?
They go and apologise to those they have wronged.
What instrument is blown on Rosh Hashanah?
The Shofar.
What does Teshuvah mean?
Spiritual Realignment.
What type of food is eaten on Rosh Hashanah?
Sweet food. A common example is apples dipped in honey.
What does Yom Kippur mean?
Day of Atonement.
What are some restrictions for Jews on Yom Kippur?
They fast and cannot work or wear white.
What do Jews do on Yom Kippur?
They apologize to those they have wronged and ask for forgiveness from God. This is their final chance.
What is the meaning and significance of Yom Kippur?
Jews believe God writes their fate in the Book of Life on Rosh Hashanah, but during the Ten Days, Jews have time for repentance for things in the previous year.
It is a day of self-denial.
They accept what they have done wrong and focus on the importance of God’s judgement.
What does Pesach mean?
It is Hebrew for Passover.
How long is Pesach?
8 days.
What is the origin of Pesach?
Moses tried to free the slaves from Egypt but when Pharaoh refused, God sent 10 plagues. The Israelites put blood of a sacrificed lamb on their doorposts and their children were saved.
What are three foods often on the Seder plate and their significance?
Matzah (unleavened bread) - represents the hurriedness of the Israelites escape from Egypt as they had no time to let the bread rise and so they ate unleavened bread.
Salt water -a representation of the slaves’ tears during captivity.
Maror (bitter herbs) - represents the bitter life the Israelites endured as slaves.
What is the significance of the Seder meal?
To remember and reflect on the Exodus story and the first Pesach and to be grateful to God for sparing them. Jews also celebrate the beginning of the Jewish nation and thank God for all he has done in their lifetime.
What is done in preparation for Pesach?
The house is cleaned of Chametz (food with leaven). People may also receive new clothes, donate to charity, and get out the Pesach silverware.
What are the five areas of focus of the people during Pesach?
Memory, optimism, faith, family, and responsibility to others.
What is Kabbalat Shabbat?
A ceremony that takes place just before sundown (often performed by the women of the house) and involves the lighting of at least two candles and singing.
What is the blessing that is sung over a full cup of wine (traditionally by the man of the house) called?
Kiddush.
When is the Shabbat meal?
Friday night.
What do we learn about the importance of family in Judaism from the Shabbat rituals?
Family is one of the main pillars of Judaism as the rituals involve all members of the family. The mother performs Kabbalat Shabbat, the father does Kiddush, and the children sing songs during dinner.
Why could Kabbalat Shabbat be considered the most important Shabbat ritual?
- Begins Shabbat, without it Shabbat cannot properly begin, sets the tone for the rest of Shabbat.
- Celebrates the mother of the house who is an extremely important family member.
- Sets an example for the children for how to properly welcome Shabbat into the home.
