Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - Judaism

Question 1

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Answer 1

Jewish New Year
The Day of Judgement

God judges people based on their deeds - “on Rosh Hashanah it is written” - but people, after being awakened to repentence by the 100 blows of the Shofar horn at the Rosh Hashanah service, they start a 10 day period (the days of awe) in which they repent, pray and give to charity to try to change the judgement.
This demonstrates God as both a judge and merciful - his judgement on Rosh Hashanah is not final.

Question 2

What is Yom Kippur?

Answer 2

The Day of Atonement

Question 3

What is the Shofar?

Answer 3

A ram’s horn
A symbol of the ram sacrificed by Abraham in place of Isaac

It is blown 100 times on Rosh Hashanah and once on Yom Kippur as a reminder of the ram Abraham sacrificed in place of his son Isaac, awakening us to repentance

Question 4

When is the main fast day in Judaism?

Answer 4

Yom Kippur

25 hour fast to allow them to focus on repentance and develop their relationship with God

Question 5

Name the period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Answer 5

The Days of Awe

Question 6

How long do people fast for on Yom Kippur?

Answer 6

25 hours

Question 7

What is different about the challah eaten on the evening before Rosh Hashanah than the challah eaten on Shabbat?

Answer 7

It is round to symbolise the cycle of the year, God’s eternality and encourages them to seek wholeness in the year to come