JUDAISM-Rosh
Hashanah,
Jews usher in a New Year in the month of Tishri
They pray and wish each other saying: "May you be
inscribed in the Book of Life for a happy new year"
Jesus was a Jew and what he stated, was very close to what
the Jewish Scriptures taught.
The Jewish scriptures describe how God created the world.
The Jews believe that God created the world in 6 days, and
rested on the 7th day.
Rosh Hashanah, also called Yom Ha Din, ( Jewish New Year)
falls in September and is regarded as the anniversary of the day that God
created the world. Yom Kippur, eight days after the New Year is considered to be the Day of Judgment.
The Celebration begins with a blast of the shofar (ram's
horn) to announce that the God who created the world is still the one ruling it.
Also it is believed that the blast of the horn will drive away evil spirits. The
sound of the Shofar touches the core of ones heart, and it could be a considered
a ‘call’ to repent for past misdeeds.
The Jew’s prayer of forgiveness is called Tashlich
which means ‘casting off’. The Jews throw bread crumbs into the water. They
pray that their sins are ‘swallowed up’ like the bread crumbs will.
The custom of tearing clothes was a sign of sorrow for
having sinned. However God is more concerned with a change of heart, which
means, to stop sinning and to obey the laws of the Lord.
The first prayer that a Jew learns as a child is:
“Shema Yisroel Adonai Elohenu Adonai Echod”
Which means: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is
One”
This prayer, a devout Jew also says, before he dies!
The New Year Greeting is ‘Leshanah Tovah Tikatavu’
Which means: “May you be inscribed for a good New
Year”
It is customary to eat bread (the loaves are dipped in
honey) on Jewish New Year. It could be a wish that the coming year brings
‘sweet, smooth plenty’
The early Jews were slaves, and were unhappy with their
condition.
Moses led the Jews out of Egypt and captivity.
Moses was given the 10 commandments by God.
Some of these commandments of God, urge Jews to honor their
parents, not to murder, to remain faithful, speak the truth, not to steal what
does not belong to them, and to lead a good life, and perform good deeds (mitzwah)
ie, visit the sick, not hurt people’s feelings, the study of the scriptures…
Please note that what God taught the Jews is not different
from what the other religions teach.
Devotion and Amidah (silent prayer) is the essence
in Judaism.
Those who devote their life to good deeds, prayer and love
for all, are the Hasidim or the Pious Ones.
Today, not only the Jews, but all of us have to remember
what God commanded.
And I am trying in a very small way to share with you, what
I have learned and feel to be true.
