The Holiday Hut Learn About: Jewish Holidays
As certainly one of the oldest religions on earth, Judaism has many holidays that mark notable events in its history. These holidays are steeped in custom, tradition and ritual which are far too complex to attempt detailed explanations here. If you are interested in any of the holidays, there are a number of excellent web sites that will give you great detail if you search for "Jewish Holidays". However, we are listing the best known with a little information on their origins.
Passover: This observance honors the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, led by Moses, following the night the first born of Egypt were struck down. Those who spread lamb's blood on the outside of their doorways were spared the sorrow. Their homes were "passed over".
Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year, and the beginning of the High Holy Days. In ancient times, loud noises were made in order to scare off bad spirits which may have become attached to people, animals and possessions during the old year. In more modern times, the Shofar (ram's horn) is blown to signify the beginning of the High Holy Days, and to honor the old custom of noisemaking. Ten days of solemn prayer and penitence follows.
Yom Kippur: The last day of the High Holy Days, it is on this day that confessions are made, repentance is offered, and prayers for the forgiveness of sins which may have been committed during the past year against the laws and covenants of God. In ancient times, the sins of the past year were visited upon a young goat by a high priest as those sins were confessed. The goat was then sacrificed by being taken into the wilderness and thrown from a precipice. It is from this ritual that the term "scapegoat" was born signifying one who bears the blame for others. It is believed that a person's fate for the coming year is sealed on Yom Kippur.
Hanukkah (Chanukah): This holiday celebrates the re-dedication of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabee in 165 B.C. following the desecration of the Temple by Antiochus IV Ephphanes, King of Syria and Overlord of Palestine. Following the recapture of Jerusalem, the Temple was purged of evil and a new altar set in place. A special, pure olive oil which had been sealed by the high priest was necessary to complete the ceremony. Only one small vial could be found, but that one small vial burned miraculously for the eight days of the dedication festivities. Each year, around December 25th, this ceremony is honored with the lighting of the eight-branch candelabrum called the Menorah. This celebration is also known as the Festival of Lights, the Feast of Dedication, and the Feast of the Maccabees in various parts of the world.