Self-reflection. Atonement. Repentance. Together these words
can stir our hearts and minds to consider our spiritual health, our
relationship to one another, and our condition with respect to that which we
hold as divine. They are also the motivating sentiments behind the coming ‘Days
of Awe’ of Judaism, namely Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
“Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are bookends, as it were,”
says Rabbi Avi Schulman of Temple Beth Torah in Fremont, “that set apart a
period of reflection and self-inquiry, as well as a turning back to our better
selves; it’s a time of inquiring into our actions during the past year with the
idea of making right our relationship with God and with others.”
Other Rosh Hashanah customs include attending synagogue
services and reciting special liturgy about teshuva (repentance) and enjoying
festive foods. Eating apples dipped in honey celebrates the bounty of the harvest
coinciding with the season, and invokes a "sweet new year." Circular
challah loaves reflect nature’s annual cycle. Some congregations practice Tashlich,
the casting of bread on the water symbolizing the dispatching of past
transgressions. The memories of loved ones past is kept alive with visits to
cemeteries.
The Talmud says that on Rosh Hashanah three books are opened
wherein the fate of the wicked, the righteous, and those of an intermediate
class are recorded. The names of the righteous are immediately inscribed in the
book of life and they are sealed "to live." The intermediate class
are allowed a respite of ten days, until Yom Kippur, to reflect, repent and
become righteous; the wicked are blotted out forever.
In the month of Elul prior to the Days of Awe (Yamim Nora'im)
Jews are supposed to begin self-examination and repentance. Every morning
except on Shabbat, the shofar is blown to call listeners from their spiritual
slumber and alert them to the coming judgment.
In the days following Rosh Hashanah, the faithful turn their
attention to repentance and reconciliation. The prayers of Yom Kippur only heal
the rift between individuals and God. Trespasses against others require
personal reconciliation. According to the twelfth-century Rabbi Maimonides,
four important steps must be taken:
•
Verbally confess your mistake and ask for forgiveness.
• Express
sincere remorse, resolving not to make the same mistake again.
• Do
everything in your power to right the wrong and appease the person who has been
hurt.
• Act
differently if the same situation happens again.
On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in the three books is considered
final. This day is, essentially, an individual’s last appeal and last chance to
change the judgment, to demonstrate repentance and make amends.
On the day of Yom Kippur, no work is to be done. (Famously,
LA Dodgers pitcher, Sandy Koufax, sat out on Game 1 of the 1965 World Series
for Yom Kippur.) Celebrants fast for a 25-hour period, abstaining from food and
water from the evening before Yom Kippur to just after night fall on the day.
The point of fasting is to reconnect people with their
ability to overcome the needs of the body, to affirm that choice is more
powerful than the flesh, and that individuals have the ability to act for
reasons higher than simple survival. As Rabbi Schulman says, fasting “indicates
our ability to overcome our natural inclinations.”
(For people for whom fasting would be a health risk, the
injunction is lifted. For instance, children under the age of nine and women
who have just given birth are not permitted to fast, even if they want to. For
tips on safe fasting, visit http://www.jewfaq.org/fasttips.htm)
Most of Yom Kippur is spent in the synagogue in prayer, as the
liturgy, with five services beginning with the Kol Nidre, is more extensive than
for any other day. In the concluding service, Neilah, the ark containing the Torah
is kept open throughout the service, and celebrants must stand. The tone of urgency
in the prayers of this service makes some feel there is a closing of the gates,
a last chance for the congregation’s prayers to reach the ears of God.
Many in the Jewish community urge others to make their
fasting more meaningful by directing their attention to the hungry of the world
and donating the amount of money equivalent to a day’s food to a hunger
awareness/advocacy organization. If money is a problem, consider asking friends
and family save unused coupons for food and household products, which can be
donated to organizations that provide food and necessities for people in need.
A timely choice would be the Jewish Federations of North America who are
currently helping people still reeling from Hurricane Harvey (https://www.jewishfederations.org/)
For Jews and non-Jews alike, self-inquiry and a concern for
others are the foundations of what it means to live a meaningful life. As Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur approach, it is a good time to evaluate where we stand.
2017 Rosh Hashanah Events
Erev Rosh Hashanah:
Wednesday, Sep 20
7:30 p.m.
Congregation Shir Ami
4529 Malabar Ave, Castro Valley
religion@congshirami.org
www.congshirami.org
Tickets required for guests and non-members
Wednesday, Sep 20
7:00 p.m. Service followed by Kiddush and Dinner
Chabad of Fremont
220 Yerba Buena Pl, Fremont
(510) 300-4090
Register: www.chabadfremont.com
No charge
Wednesday, Sep 20
8:00 p.m.
Temple Beth Torah
42000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont
(510) 656-7141
www.bethtorah-fremont.org
High Holy Days Passport required – call for details
Wednesday, Sep 20
7:00 p.m.
Temple Beth Sholom
642 Dolores Ave, San Leandro
(510) 357-8505
www.tbssanleandro.com
Tickets required for guests and non-members
Rosh Hashanah:
Thursday, Sep 21
10:00 a.m. Morning service
2:00 p.m. Children’s service
3:30 p.m. Tashlich
Congregation Shir Ami
4529 Malabar Ave, Castro Valley
religion@congshirami.org
www.congshirami.org
Tickets required for guests and non-members
Thursday, Sep 21
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Services followed by Kiddush and
Lunch
5:45 p.m. Services
7:15 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Dinner
Chabad of Fremont
220 Yerba Buena Pl, Fremont
(510) 300-4090
Register: www.chabadfremont.com
No charge
Thursday, Sep 21
9:30 a.m. Morning services & K-5 program
Temple Beth Torah
42000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont
4:15 p.m. Family Service at Lake Elizabeth
5:00 p.m. Tashlich at Lake Elizabeth
Lake Elizabeth
(meet at boat ramp near Sailway Dr)
40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont
(510) 656-7141
www.bethtorah-fremont.org
High Holy Days Passport required – call for details
Thursday, Sep 21
9:00 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Morning Service
12 p.m. Children’s Service
Temple Beth Sholom
642 Dolores Ave, San Leandro
(510) 357-8505
www.tbssanleandro.com
Tickets required for guests and non-members
Yom Kippur:
Friday, Sep 29.
7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre Service
Saturday, Sep 30
10:00 a.m. Morning service
1:30 p.m. Children’s Service
3:30 p.m. Yizkor and Concluding Service
5:30 p.m. Break the Fast
Eden UCC Pioneer Chapel
1046 Grove Way, Hayward
religion@congshirami.org
www.congshirami.org
Tickets required for guests and non-members
Friday, Sep 29
6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre
Saturday, Sep 30
10:30 a.m. Morning Services
12:30 p.m. Yizkor
5:00 p.m. Torah Study
5:45 p.m. Neilah
7:35 p.m. Fast ends - Meal
Chabad of Fremont
220 Yerba Buena Pl, Fremont
(510) 300-4090
Register: www.chabadfremont.com
No charge
Friday, Sep 29
8 p.m. Kol Nidre
Saturday, Sep 30
9:30 a.m. Morning and Junior Services
2:00 p.m. Study
3:00 Avodah
4:00 Yizkor
5:00 p.m. Afternoon Service
6:30 p.m. Neilah
Temple Beth Torah
42000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont
(510) 656-7141
www.bethtorah-fremont.org
High Holy Days Passport required – call for details
Friday, Sep 29
7:00 p.m. Kol Nidre
Saturday, Sep 30
9:00 a.m. Torah Study
10:00 p.m. Morning Service
12:00 p.m. Children’s Service
Afternoon Study between Services
3:00 p.m. Mincha
5:30 p.m. Yizkir
7:00 p.m. Neilah
Temple Beth Sholom
642 Dolores Ave, San Leandro
(510) 357-8505
www.tbssanleandro.com
Tickets required for guests and non-members
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