What is Religious History Made Up Of?

Judaism refers to the religion of the Jewish people. It encompasses their beliefs, philosophies, traditions, and way of life. About 13 million Jewish people follow this religion. Among its traditions are the high holidays that include the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Rosh Hashanah

Also called the Jewish New Year, this holiday takes place for two days, falling in the month of Tishrei (seventh month in the Hebrew calendar). It celebrates the anniversary of the world’s creation. It is also during this day that God decides on the fate of each person—to live or die, to have a good or bad year. This holiday also marks the start of the Ten Days of Repentance (Teshuvah), which happens until the start of the Yom Kippur. During this time, people are encouraged to ask forgiveness from other people whom they have offended during the previous year. The prayer service during the Rosh Hashanah is very long. It runs from early morning up to the afternoon. A unique prayer book called the Makhzor is used. Some of the most well-known prayers from the liturgy of Rosh Hashanah include the Unetaneh Tohkef and Avienu Malkeinu. The first prayer reads about life and death while the other one literally means “Our Father Our King.”

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, which is also referred to as the Day of Atonement is the holiest day in Jewish tradition. It is the finale to the Teshuvah. The main purpose of this holiday is for people to repent before God seals the fate of each human being. It is believed that by asking for repentance from God, people can be absolved of their sins and start the new year with a “clean slate.” Longer than the prayer service during the Rosh Hashanah, the prayer service for the Yom Kippur starts in the eve of the celebration with a song called Kol Nidre (All Vows). The song is about asking for forgiveness for promises made but were not kept. The prayer service lasts until nighttime. Apart from the prayer, the holiday also includes a 25-hour fasting. It begins one hour before the Yom Kippur and ends after nightfall on the day itself. Not only are people forbidden to eat or drink, they must also not engage in any sexual relations. They also cannot take a bath or wear leather shoes. Children younger than nine years old, pregnant women, and people who just came from an illness are exempted from fasting.