…and I don’t mean the one in Times Square:).
As a gentile who’s always had an interest in Jewish things, I read sites from religious authorities who say how Rosh Hashanah should be celebrated. I’m more interested in how it’s really celebrated. Specifically:
I see a whole bunch of synagogue services listed. How many does the typical Jewish person go to, and how long are they?
Do many people do both days?
Is the New Year treated as a solemn day like Yom Kippur, or more festive like Hanukkah? Are New Year parties a thing?
New Year? I presume there is some cultural or religious angle I am missing. :dubious:
The Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana) took place on Sept. 14
(New Year according to the Jewish Calendar. Happy new year 5776!)
Typically we would go to evening services and morning. Sometimes we’d attend afternoon services but not always. Evening services are fairly brief, morning services are several hours and that’s the bulk of the time spent in temple. Afternoon services are also fairly brief. Our family didn’t usually attend services the second night, but my parents sometimes go to the second evening.
It’s the High Holidays, Rosh Hashannah is a relatively serious time but not as solemn as Yom Kippur. I’ve never heard of New Years parties, but they could exist somewhere.
Had a lovely meal Sunday night and my son was able to come home from school for the day. Made homemade matzah ball soup, challah, pretty little apple desserts with my daughter, plus the rest of the meal. Skipped services and I ran into work to teach a class, but otherwise enjoyed a pleasant day with family.
The time between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are called The Days of Awe and are meant to be introspective. Thinking about your past year and if you caused pain or hurt to anyone and asking their forgiveness. Yom Kippur is the most solemn of holidays, but Rosh Hashana, while festive, isn’t a party. It’s the start of that holy period.
In comparasion, as soon as Yom Kippur is over you’re supposed to be done with the seriousness and that night hammer the first nail in building your sukkah (a temporary structure in the yard), for the fun holiday of sukkoth.
The new year is a celebration, but an introspective one. The whole deal is basically a leadup to Yom Kippur which is, as you’ve already observed, super solemn.