Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. It is the most solemn and holy day of the Jewish calendar. Yom Kippur is observed on the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. (The Hebrew calendar, which is based on a combination of a lunar and solar calendar, is different from the Gregorian calendar. Thus, […]
What are the Jewish High Holidays?
Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, are together considered the High Holidays. They are the holiest days of the Jewish calendar, and occur in the fall, ten days apart from each other. Holiday Activities The primary activity on both of these holidays is prayer. Jews spend most of […]
Why do we Blow the Shofar during the Month of Elul?
The Hebrew month of Elul, which precedes the High Holy Days, is a month spent in introspection and personal preparation. One custom is to blow the shofar, the ram’s horn, each morning (except Shabbat) at the conclusion of the Shacharit (morning) prayer service. Some say this is to help us prepare ourselves and “wake us […]
What Two Blessings do We Say before Sounding the Shofar?
The sounding of the shofar (the ram’s horn) is accompanied by an elaborate service of readings and psalms and poems. There are two blessings recited before the shofar is sounded. The first is related to the mitzvah (the requirement or commandment) to hear the sound of the shofar. The second is the traditional blessing said […]
