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The Sabbath and Festivals

The Festival days that are Sabbaths generally follow the pattern of the weekly Sabbath with the addition of particular observances and customs. On the Sabbath and certain days of the Festivals common work and commerce are forbidden.

The weekly Sabbath (Shabbat, pronounced Shabbos by Ashkenazi Jews), as is the case for all holy days, the Sabbath begins just prior to sunset Friday evening, and ends when three stars are visible on Saturday evening (approximately 42 minutes after sunset). On Sabbath common work and commerce are forbidden. It is to be a day set apart as different than the six days of work. The celebration of these days should be a shared religious experience for all, whether Jew or non-Jew, in accordance with Scripture.

The Sabbath is a day of rest, devoted to God. It begins at sunset on Friday evening, and ends at sunset on Saturday. The beginning of the Sabbath is marked by the lighting of at least two candles which should be capable of burning for at least one half hour, and should be allowed to burn out themselves. A special prayer is recited over the candle lighting. Also included in the Sabbath eve (erev Shabbat) celebration is the reciting of the kiddush over wine. It is permissible to substitute grape juice for wine at these celebrations. It is also traditional to eat braided bread (called challah) on Sabbath eve as well as on the day of Sabbath. A special blessing is recited over the Sabbath bread.

The Sabbath is ended by a ceremony called Havdalah (separation), in which the Sabbath is marked as separate from the six days of work. This ceremony consists of wine, spices, and a multi-wicked candle, all with appropriate blessings. The wine symbolizes the joy of Sabbath, the spices remind of the sweetness of the day, and the multi-wicked candle is a reminder that the people of God are to be a light to the nations, and that the blessings of Sabbath should shine in one's life throughout the week.

Passover (Feast of Unleavened Bread)

Passover (Pesach) is perhaps the best known of the festivals, and commemorates the deliverance from Egypt during biblical times. It is called "the time of our freedom." It lasts for seven days (some, who follow a more rabbinic view, celebrate for eight days) of which the first and last are Sabbaths. The first evening is celebrated with a Passover Seder, a meal at which the exodus story is retold from a special book called a Haggadah. Certain ceremonial foods are eaten, including unleavened bread (matzah), bitter herbs, and four cups of wine or grape juice. No products containing leaven may be consumed during the days of Passover.

Lag B'Omer (the 33rd Day of the Omer)

This is a minor festival occurring during the 49 days that separate Passover from Shavuot (Pentecost). It commemorates the ending of an epidemic that befell the students of the great scholar Rabbi Akiva. Traditionally this is celebrated by outings to parks or woods.

Shavuot

Shavuot (Festival of Weeks or Pentecost) is the festival marked by counting 7 weeks plus one day (for a total of 50 days) following Passover. Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Sinai. Some groups stay awake through out the night before Shavuot, study some aspect of the Torah, as a way of showing appreciation for the gift of the Torah on Shavuot. It is traditional to read the Ten Commandments aloud at the Shavuot morning service, and to have a meal at lunch that incorporates dairy (cheeses, cream, milk, etc.).

Tisha B'Av

This day commemorates the day upon which calamity has befallen the people of Israel throughout her history. Both the 1st and 2nd Temples were destroyed on this day, and the Jews were expelled from Spain on this day in 1492. It is observed as a fast day by some. It is traditional to read the book of Lamentations in a corporate meeting.

Rosh Hashanah

This is the beginning of the civil year in the Jewish calendar. It is a period of selfexamination and resolution. It is required to blow a shofar (ram's horn) on this day, which is a solemn call to repentance, and to self-examination, along with a resolution to improve one's ways. It is customary to eat apples dipped in honey as a symbol of hope for a sweet new year. In addition, other sweet foods are eaten (sweet carrot dish, called tzimmes; honey cake; round challah bread). It is traditional on the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah to go to a body of water and cast small stones or pieces of bread into the water as symbolic of one's sins being taken away through the forgiveness afforded by God through His Messiah, Yeshua. This ceremony is called tashlich. It is also traditional to send greeting cards to friends wishing them a good and sweet new year. The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are consider "days of awe and repentance."

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

This is the most solemn of days in the Jewish calendar. It is a complete fast days for those who are able. It is traditional to wear all white clothing, including a white kippah or yarmulke for males. The day is marked by attendance in the synagogue, with services of prayer throughout the day. At the concluding service, the shofar is blown one last time. This is a reminder that the time of for repentance will come to an end. It also is a vivid reminder that Yeshua promised to return, and that His coming would be with the sound of the trumpet. After sunset, when the day has ended, it is traditional to break the fast together with a meal of rejoicing for the atonement that has been accomplished through the sacrifice of Yeshua upon the execution stake (cross). This time of rejoicing leads into the festival of Sukkot which comes next.

Sukkot

Sukkot is the "season of our rejoicing." Its name means "booths" or "huts," (Hebrew "Sukkot) and is a reminder that when Israel came out of Egypt, she dwelt in temporary huts. Though she had only humble means of shelter, the freedom from the slavery of Egypt was a possession of untold worth. Traditionally, huts are built on porches, roofs, or in yards, and meals are eaten in these huts. Some sleep in the huts as well. Four species of plants, the citron (Etrog), palm branches (Lulav), myrtle branches (Hadassim) and willows (Aravot) are bound together (the Etrog is held in the hand) and are brought into the sukkah in accordance with the Scriptural command. This symbolizes the ingathering of the nations from the four corners of the earth to confess the one God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Shemini Atzeret is the eighth day of Sukkot, but is a festival unto itself as well. It is the final day of feasting and celebration. Simchat Torah is yhe day that follows Shemini Atzeret, and commemorates the joy of the Torah. It marks the end of the yearly reading cycle, and beginning of the new cycle. It is traditional to dance around the Torah Scroll, and to parade the Torah Scroll(s) throughout the synagogue.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, commemorates the rededication of the Temple in 165 BCE when the Temple was recaptured from the Assyrian-Greek oppressors. Tradition has it that when the Jewish priests re-entered the Temple, they found only one cruse of oil which remained unopened. This oil should have lasted only one day in the lighting of the Temple Menorah. A miracle occurred, however, in which the oil lasted for the complete eight days needed to cleanse the Temple.

In honor of this miracle, an eight branch menorah (called a "hanukkiah") is utilized for the eight days of Hanukkah. Each evening an additional candle in the menorah is lit, until all eight (plus a ninth candle used for lighting the others) burn on the final day. Children are given money, and play a traditional game with a spinning top (called a dreidel). Since the festival centers around the miracle of the oil, it is also traditional to eat potato pancakes (fritters) fried in oil (called latkes) during the holiday, as well as small donuts fried in oil (called sufganiot).

Purim

This day commemorates the victory of the Jewish people over their enemies during the Persian rule in 450 BCE, as told in the book of Esther. It is traditional to read the book of Esther (megilat Esther) publicly on this day. It is a day of rejoicing and fun. Children traditionally dress up as one of the characters in the Esther story. Cookies made in the shape of the hat of Haman, the villain, are eaten (called Hamentashin).