According to Jewish tradition, God created the world 5,757 years ago. Beginning Friday evening, Sept. 13, Jewish people will gather in synagogues throughout the world to usher in the new year 5757.
Rosh Hashanah is a festive day marked by the sending of New Year's cards and the enjoyment of a traditional meal. Apples dipped in honey are eaten to symbolize the Jew's hope for a sweet new year, and white garments or new clothes are worn to indicate hope for a fresh clean start.
The most notable custom, however, is associated with the Ram's Horn, or "Shofar" in Hebrew. In fulfillment of the command given in the book of Leviticus, Jews herald the new year by sounding the Shofar according to prescribed Shofar calls.
Many interpretations are given for this unusual custom. Some say this is a reminder of the ram that was sacrificed by Abraham in place of his son Isaac, the story that is read on Rosh Hashanah morning. Others say that the piercing sounds act as "alarm clocks," so to speak, which arouse us from our moral slumber and prompt us to take steps to improve our character.
The 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as the Days of Repentance. These are days in which the Jew is admonished to take inventory of his soul and consider how he or she will turn away from past misdeeds and turn toward the path God has commanded; the way of goodness and righteous living. This act of "turning" is called T'shuvah, translated as repentance. On Yom Kippur, the process of T'shuvah reaches its climatic conclusion.
As with all Jewish holidays, the Day of Atonement begins at sunset and continues the following day. The day is ushered in with the chanting of an ancient and haunting melody known as the Kol Nidre prayer. It is a prayer that asks God to forgive us for all the promises we made to God in the past year but were unable to fulfill.
It is customary to spend the entire day in the synagogue and to observe a 24-hour fast. Jews pray to be inscribed for a good year in the Book of Life and they confess their wrong doing before God. The day ends with a final blast of the Shofar, which also signals the termination of the fast. The festive and joyous meal is then shared by the family and friends.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur reminds us of our duty to look within ourselves in order to amend our ways and our doings. It is a time to seek forgiveness from all those we may have harmed by word or by deed during the past year and also to pardon those who may have hurt us.
Only then will God hear our prayers as it is written: For sins between man and God, the Day of Atonement atones, but for sins between man and man, the Day of Atonement does not atone until they have made peace between one another.
This year the Jewish community worldwide will continue to pray for a just and lasting peace of the Middle East in hopes that the peace process now under way will yield positive results.
Rosh Hashanah services at the United Jewish Center, 141 Deer Hill Ave., Danbury, will take place at 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m., Saturday. Yom Kippur services will be observed at 8 p.m. Sept., 24 and at 10 a.m., Sept. 25. For further information call 748-3335.
Rabbi Bradd H. Boxman is the spiritual leader of the Jewish community at the United Jewish Center, Danbury.
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