Judaism: Jewish Holidays

When you hear Jewish Holidays, what does it trigger in your mind? For some Jews, it means family gatherings that turned into miserable evenings. For others, it means sacred times to connect with family and with the Creator.

Going through the calendar, here is a list: Rosh Hashana,New Year,first of Tishrei, the day man was created

Rosh Hashana on Jewish People Unite

Tzom Gedalia fast of Gedalia, Atzeres Amei Teshuva (10 days of Repentance), Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur at Jewish People Unite

Succos, the festival of booths, Chol Hamoed Succos, the intermediate days of Succos, Hoshana Rabba, part of Chol Hamoed Succos, Shemini Atzeret, Festival when offerings were brought, Simchas Torah, the day we begin anew the reading of the Torah,

Sukkot Page at Jewish People Unite

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, a new month,

Rosh Chodesh Kislev, a new month, Chanukah, the time of re-dedication of the second temple, Chanukah Page at Jewish People Unite

Rosh Chodesh Teves, a new month, Fast of Teves, on the 10th of Teves, Rosh Chodesh Shevat, a new month, Tu B'Shevat, the new year of the trees,

Rosh Chodesh Adar, a new month, Fast of Esther, part of Purim, Purim, the day the Jews were saved from a death sentence, Purim Page at Jewish People Unite

Rosh Chodesh Nisan, a new month, Pesach, 8 day Festival commemorating the exodus from Egypt,

Hagaddahs
Sefiras HaOmer, counting for 49 days, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, a new month, Lag B'Omer, a day we celebrate the cessation of an epidemic,

Rosh Chodesh Sivan, a new month, Shavuos, Festival to celebrate the giving of the Torah at Sinai,

Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, a new month, 17th of Tammuz, fast day commemorating sin of Golden Calf, Three Weeks, preceding Tisha B'Av, Rosh Chodesh Av, a new month, Tisha B'Av, Fast Day commemorating the destruction of the Temples, Tu B'Av, 40 days before Rosh Hashana ,

Rosh Chodesh Elul,leading up to the New Year.

Most people know about Chanukah, the time of the Re-Dedication of the Second Temple, Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Many know about Passover. Some know about Purim, the time when the Jews were saved from death in Persia through Queen Esther. In addition, there are Shavuos, when the Torah was given at Mount Sinai, Succos, the festival of booths, Hoshana Rabba, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah, the day when we begin to read again the Torah. There are other holidays as well, including Tu B'Shevat, the new year of the trees and Tisha B'Av, the saddest of all days, the anniversary of the destruction of both the temple of King Solomon and the destruction of the second temple.

Part of understanding the significance of holidays in Judaism is to have a context within Jewish history of their origins:

Jewish History page at Jewish People Unite

For a talk on each of the holy days: Rabbi Zev Leff - Jewish Holidays

Every week we have the holiday of the Sabbath (Shabbat). This is a day of rest. Shabbat is the most important holiday that we have - Yom Kippur is considered higher only because it is the Sabbath of Sabbaths.

Learning about the Jewish holidays deepens our appreciation for our heritage, for our connection to each other, and for our connection to the Creator. For Judaism in a nutshell, you may like this: Holidays: Judaism in a Nutshell

To hear classes on the Laws of Shabbos:

Rabbi Zev Leff - the Laws of Keeping Shabbos

There are many more materials out there - here are a few:
Jewish Holidays Page at www.beingjewish.com
National Jewish Outreach Program Shabbat Page
Holidays on Aish
Shabbat A One Minute Movie
Rosh Hashana One Minute Movie Sorry
Rosh Hashana New Year Blues One Minute Movie
Jewish Holiday classes at Torah.org
Jewish Calendar videos at Naaleh.com
Family Introduction to the Jewish Holidays
Spice and Spirit Kosher Cookbook
Chanukah a One Minute Movie

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