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Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the universe and the day G‑d created Adam and Eve. It’s celebrated as the head of the Jewish year.
It's called Rosh Hashanah, literally meaning, "Head" of the year, and not merely the beginning of the year. As a head contains the life, and is the nerve center of the entire body, which is controlled by the brain, so does Rosh Hashanah contain the life and sustenance for the entire year.
The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is blowing the shofar. We will be blowing the Shofar at approx. 11:45 PM during Services and again at the Art Museum Stairs at 6:15 PM.
Shevy will be catering our delicious Rosh Hashanah dinner. Traditional foods include round raisin challah and apples dipped in honey, as well as other foods that symbolize our wishes for a sweet year. RSVP for the community Rosh Hashanah dinner here.
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year—the day on which we are closest to G‑d and to the quintessence of our own souls.
For nearly twenty-six hours—from several minutes before sunset on 9 Tishrei (September 24th) to after nightfall on 10 Tishrei (September 25th), we abstain from food and drink, do not wash or anoint our bodies, do not wear leather footwear, and abstain from marital relations. Instead our time is spent in prayer to G‑d.
Kol Nidrei
Kol Nidrei, the prayer which ushers in the holy day of Yom Kippur, is perhaps the most famous one in our liturgy.
Kol Nidre, which means "all vows", nullifies the binding nature of any promises in advance. In addition to its technical function of ensuring that we do not accidentally break our word, this sacred declaration is also our way of saying that we are coming to Yom Kippur with no strings attached. As we approach this special day, we tell ourselves and G‑d that we regret and distance ourselves from the wrong decisions that we humans inevitably make. The ancient, haunting melody of Kol Nidrei is one of the most memorable parts of the Yom Kippur service.
Yom Kippur Day
The Yizkor memorial services are recited after the reading of the Torah (Approximately 11:45 am.)
Yizkor, in Hebrew, means "Remember." It is not only the first word of the prayer, it also represents its overall theme. In this prayer, we implore G‑d to remember the souls of our relatives and friends that have passed on.
When we recite Yizkor, we renew and strengthen the connection between us and our loved one, bringing merit to the departed souls, elevating them in their celestial homes.
The main component of Yizkor is our private pledge to give charity in honor of the deceased and increase in our Mitzvah observance. By doing so, we are performing a positive physical deed in this world, something that the departed can no longer do.
The soul gains additional merit if the memory of its good deeds spurs loved ones to improve their ways.
Neilah
Neilah, literally “closing,” was thus named as it is said in the closing moments of the holy day, as the sun is setting and the gates of heaven are clanging shut. The Rebbe shared that while the gates of heaven are closing, we are on the inside. Right now, each and every one of us is as close to G‑d as we get during our lifetime. Savor the moment, and think deeply into what you have done this past year, and what you want the coming year to look like.
By now, if you take a peek out the window, you will notice that the sun has set and the stars are peeking through the clouds. At this moment, the apex of our devotion, we all cry out together, “Shema Yisrael . . .”: “Hear O Israel, the L‑rd is our G‑d, the L‑rd is One.” We recite “Baruch Shem . . .” three times, and “Hashem Hu HaElokim” (“The L‑rd is G‑d”) seven times. As you say the words that thousands of Jewish martyrs have uttered before being killed for their steadfast devotion to G‑d and the Torah, imagine yourself literally giving your life for G‑d. Afterward, one long triumphant blast is sounded on the shofar, announcing the end of Yom Kippur.
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