Rosh Hashanah
The origin of Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year,
is Biblical (Lev. 23:23-25): "a sacred occasion
commemorated with loud blasts (of the Shofar, the
ram's horn)." The Bible refers to the holiday as
Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the Shofar)
and Yom Zikaron Teruah (the day of remembering the
sounding of the Shofar).
In Talmudic times, Rosh HaShana became a
celebration of the anniversary of the world's
creation and a day of self-examination, repentance
and judgment. While the day was called Yom
HaZikaron (Day of Remembrance) and Yom HaDin
(Judgment Day), the name Rosh HaShana (Head of the
Year) which was first used in the Mishnah has
become the most prevalent.
Rosh HaShana is both a solemn and happy day. It
is a time for introspection, asking for
forgiveness, giving forgiveness, resolving to do
better, remembering God is our King and Judge, and
praying for a healthy and happy year to come. We
are solemn in our repentance, but happy in our
confidence that God is merciful and good.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, literally "Day of Atonement," is the
holiest day of the Jewish year.
Yom Kippur is a day of "self-denial" (Lev.
23-27) so that we may be cleansed of our sins. It
is observed eight days after Rosh Hashanah. It is
believed that on Rosh HaShana God inscribes all of
our names in the "books," and on Yom Kippur the
judgment entered in these books is sealed. The days
between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur are called the
Days of Awe. Yom Kippur is, essentially, our last
chance to demonstrate repentance and change the
judgment.
--about.com
High Holidays (general)
Rosh Hashanah
Yom Kippur
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