In the next few weeks, you may be sitting in class and wondering, “Where did half of the class go?!” Well, my friends, that’s simple! Three main Jewish holidays are coming up so most likely, those fellow classmates are at home celebrating with their friends and families. In case you have no clue about these holidays, here is a little summary to help you strike up conversation with your Jewish friends or just be a little bit more informed.
Rosh Hashana (pronounced Row-sh Ha-sha-nah)
– a.k.a. The Jewish New Year.
This doesn’t mean, however, that all the Jews gather around waiting for the giant Matzah ball to drop after 10 seconds. This joyous holiday is all about repenting for your sins and of course, dipping the apples in the honey to symbolize a sweet new year.
Yom Kippur (pronounced Yo-m Kip-pour)
– a.k.a. The day that no professor will give an exam.
This meaningful day is one where all the Jews fast for 25 hours and spend the majority of the day praying to God and asking His forgiveness for all of their sins. This day decides your fate–whether you will be written in the Book of Life, or the Book of Death. Kind of a big deal.
Sukkot (pronounced Sook-coat)
– a.k.a The week-long celebration in those funny-looking huts.
The “hut” or the Sukkah, as we like to refer to it, resembles the types of dwellings the Jews lived in while journeying through the desert for 40 years. On the last day of Sukkot, you may witness something you have never seen before: 400 Jews carrying and dancing around the Torah (the Jewish bible) on Low’s steps. Check it out!
And so you have it, the High holidays in 5 minutes. Hopefully, this guide will leave you a little bit worldlier. And maybe even encourage you to try apples with honey (it’s delicious, trust me). After all…’tis the season!