Rosh Hashanah
Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20
The sound of the shofar is to awaken people to repent and return to G-d. The shofar represents a simple outcry of a person who recognized his spiritual “poverty” and whose feelings cannot be contained in words. It is compared to a forlorn child in a distant country who has forgotten the language of his people and his father, the king. When he returns to his father his only means of communication is his simple cry, which his father recognizes. He lifts the child up to be close to him. Similarly, when Rosh Hashanah comes we realize we have lost our common language with our Father in Heaven, so from the bottom of our soul we cry out, “Father, Father,” to which G-d responds. This then turns us toward Him to lead our lives in accordance with His will. He accepts our prayers and is willing to be Master of the Universe and grant us a good and sweet year.
Yom Kippur
Monday, September 28
Yom Kippur, a day of fasting and prayer, is the one day each year when G-d reveals most clearly that our essence and His essence are one. On the soul level the Jewish people are all truly equal and indivisible. On this day, the entire Jewish nation unites, raising their hearts and thoughts to their Creator. When G-d set aside a special day for forgiveness, it was a manifestation of His love for us. What is required of us is to return to G-d, to do His will which He transmitted to us in the Torah. The more we demonstrate our essential unity by acting with love and friendship towards others, the more G-d’s love will be revealed to us.
Sukkot
Saturday, October 3 – Friday, October 9
Sukkot commemorates the clouds of glory with which G-d surrounded the Jewish people to protect them and to provide them with all their needs during their 40 years of wandering through the desert on the way to the Promised Land.
The Mitzvah of dwelling, eating and spending time in the Sukkah is unique in that the entire person is involved in a mitzvah (commandment). The mitzvah of sukkah encompasses every part of the body. Every limb and cell of the person is completely submerged, surrounded and encompassed by the sukkah.
When Jews rejoice they think of others as well. Thus, when the holy Temple in Jerusalem still existed, special Sukkot offerings were brought for all mankind, accompanied by prayerful wishes of peace and harmony for the entire world.
Another special mitzvah of Sukkot is the shaking together of the “four species:” these are the etrog (citron), lulav (palm branch), haddasim (myrtle branches) and aravot (willow branches). One explanation among many is that each of the four kinds represents a different type of Jew. The fact that the mitzvah requires all four kinds symbolizes our oneness as a people. All the four species are waved in all four directions and up and down signifying that G-d is everywhere.
Shemini Atzeret
Saturday, October 10
Translated as the eighth day of the holiday, the Yizkor prayer is recited on this day, honoring deceased relatives.
Simchat Torah
Sunday, October 11
The holiday of rejoicing with the Torah is the culmination of a month filled with uplifting experiences. We have stood in awe before the King of the Universe on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur; we have been forgiven and inscribed for a good year. We have experienced true joy by uniting with G-d through following His commandments. Now, we rejoice with the Torah.
On Simchat Torah, the final portion of the Torah is read. This completes the cycle of Bible readings throughout the year. We immediately begin reading the Torah from the beginning as well, to symbolize the continuity of the Torah and Jewish tradition.
To celebrate, we dance with the holy Torah scrolls—scholar, novice and child alike, rejoicing in our gift from G-d.
Wishing you a happy and healthy year!
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Rabbi David Laine is the director of Chabad Vocational Schools.
