After over half a century living as a Torah observant aka Orthodox Jew, I'm having real problems understanding the way most of the world, meaning the Christian world/culture/societies all over "celebrates" its New Year.
What's the point of getting drunk?
The Jewish New Year aka Rosh Hashanah takes place at the very end of the summer and is a process that lasts forty days, from the Jewish Month of Elul until the 10th of Tishrei, Yom Kippur. During Ellul we're supposed to repent, reflect on our actions during that year and try to change our way of living to do it all much better according to Jewish Law. Then we have a two day holiday, Rosh Hashanah, 1st and 2nd of Tishrei, during which we pray and feast and let the sound of the Shofar, horn of the ram, shake us to our very soul.
As in all Jewish festive meals, there can be wine, but we're never supposed to drink enough to get out of control, ok except Purim when drinking is supposed to put us to sleep. And then on the 10th of Tishrei is Yom Kippur, when we don't eat or drink. We fast for twenty-five hours and spend most of the day in prayer beseeching Gd for forgiveness. And we don't just pray for ourselves; we pray for the entire Jewish People. Our prayers are in the plural. There's no such thing as saying:
Our enjoyment and celebrations do not need liquor.
Our joy and celebrations come from worshipping Gd and keeping His Commandments, not drinking hard liquor and losing control.
Drinking too much causes more tragedy than joy. So, I hope you celebrated the New Year in a good healthy way.
Since it is forbidden to photograph on Rosh Hashanah, here's a shofar blast from Israeli Independence Day.
What's the point of getting drunk?
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| photo of shofrot taken in Moriah Judaica store in the Old City, Jerusalem |
As in all Jewish festive meals, there can be wine, but we're never supposed to drink enough to get out of control, ok except Purim when drinking is supposed to put us to sleep. And then on the 10th of Tishrei is Yom Kippur, when we don't eat or drink. We fast for twenty-five hours and spend most of the day in prayer beseeching Gd for forgiveness. And we don't just pray for ourselves; we pray for the entire Jewish People. Our prayers are in the plural. There's no such thing as saying:
"I don't need Yom Kippur prayers and fasting. I was just perfect this past year."We can't be forgiven unless we pray for the entire Jewish People, because we're all in this together. We are one.
Our enjoyment and celebrations do not need liquor.
עבדו את ה'בשמחה
Ivdu et Hashem b'SimchaWorship Gd with Joy
ושמחת בחגך
Vi'Samachta b'ChagechaBe Joyful in Your Holiday
Our joy and celebrations come from worshipping Gd and keeping His Commandments, not drinking hard liquor and losing control.
Drinking too much causes more tragedy than joy. So, I hope you celebrated the New Year in a good healthy way.
Since it is forbidden to photograph on Rosh Hashanah, here's a shofar blast from Israeli Independence Day.