DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Bad Manners and Brimstone
HTML https://badmanners.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Holidays
*****************************************************
#Post#: 57693--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jewish holidays primer for non-Jewish people.
By: Lilipons Date: September 21, 2020, 10:40 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I think we all benefit from threads like this one. The more we
learn about different ethnic customs and religious beliefs the
richer we become.
#Post#: 57694--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jewish holidays primer for non-Jewish people.
By: NFPwife Date: September 21, 2020, 10:58 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Winterlight link=topic=1859.msg57611#msg57611
date=1600537013]
Right now we're in the Days of Awe (also referred to as High
Holy Days.) This is a ten day period which concludes with Yom
Kippur, during which we reflect and repent on the year that has
passed and look forward to the year to come. Today is the first
day of Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, 5781 BCE (note, Jews do not
use BC or AD in their calendars.)
The proper greeting for Rosh Hashanah is "L'shanah tovah," which
means "To a good year," and is short for "L’shanah tovah tikatev
v’taihatem." ("May you be inscribed and sealed for a good
year.") Rosh Hashanah ends on Sunday night. It is a two-day
holiday, and a lot of observant Jews take both days off (I did
this year.)
Yom Kippur begins next Sunday evening and runs through Monday
night. The proper greeting is either "Have an easy fast," or
"Good Yom Tov." Do not say "Happy Yom Kippur," because it's not
a festive holiday but a serious day of contemplation (though
most won't take it amiss.)
The Days of Awe are the one of the two big holiday seasons for
us, the other is Passover in the spring. Chanukkah is actually a
minor holiday for us. It gets more play now because 1. Christmas
overwhelms the winter season and it's hard on kids and 2.
Everyone loves latkes and sufganiyah (jelly doughnuts.) ;D
[/quote]
For RBG, at least on my timeline, instead of "May her memory be
a blessing," people are saying "May her memory be a revolution."
Quick story on the social greeting of "Easy fast" for Yom Kippur
-
I work with people of multiple faiths and cultures so when I set
up my year at a glance calendar, I mark off holidays and
relevant cultural events. I include the social greetings in the
calendar space. My husband asked about "Easy fast," and I
explained it was for Yom Kippur. He then said, "Is it a fast
similar to how we'd fast, for penance and spiritual growth? If
it is, why would you want it to be easier? Don't you want them
to have the full spiritual benefit of the fast? Fasting is hard,
it should be hard." Me (interrupting) - "Because, telling
someone 'Have a hard fast!' isn't nice. This is a social
greeting."
I told my Jewish friend about it, thinking she'd get a kick out
of him overthinking it, and... she agreed with him! She thought
he had a good philosophical point, so now she says, "Have a
meaningful fast." (I'm not suggesting anyone follow their lead.)
#Post#: 57703--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jewish holidays primer for non-Jewish people.
By: Winterlight Date: September 21, 2020, 12:35 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, I think I'd stick to, "Have an easy fast," if you're not
Jewish. Your friend isn't wrong, but it's probably safer to stay
out of that lane.
Oh, yes, and "May their memory be for a blessing," is the
traditional response to hearing of a death, rather than "Rest in
peace," the latter being a Christian formula. It's not rude to
use it if you don't know, though.
#Post#: 57704--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jewish holidays primer for non-Jewish people.
By: Winterlight Date: September 21, 2020, 12:41 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
If you're looking for a quick overview of an event, check out
this site:
HTML https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2994211/jewish/What-to-Expect-at.htm
HTML https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1675888/jewish/Jewish-Practice.htm
Chabad is Orthodox Judaism, and a more strict form of
observance. Sticking to what they tell you means you'll be safe
anywhere.
#Post#: 57863--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jewish holidays primer for non-Jewish people.
By: Hanna Date: September 23, 2020, 10:54 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Lilipons link=topic=1859.msg57693#msg57693
date=1600702814]
I think we all benefit from threads like this one. The more we
learn about different ethnic customs and religious beliefs the
richer we become.
[/quote]
It really is enriching and makes life so much more fun and
fulfilling.
#Post#: 57912--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jewish holidays primer for non-Jewish people.
By: Kimberami Date: September 24, 2020, 7:39 am
---------------------------------------------------------
This is probably a very stupid questions, but are non-Jewish
people allowed to go to a synagogue for a service? I've always
wanted to visit one, but I wasn't sure about customs. Should I
call first?
#Post#: 57994--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jewish holidays primer for non-Jewish people.
By: Rho Date: September 24, 2020, 10:43 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Sabbath services should be Friday evenings and Saturday
mornings. Guests are welcome. Well in my area some Synagogues
discourage visiors and some ( mine) welcome guests. Call the
office to check the time, duration, and dress code. If we lived
closer I would be glad to go with you. I suggest you wait until
after October 3 when the bulk of the High Holidays--busy
season--is over. Friday evnings are shorter and, in my
experience less formal. After any worship service there will be
food and beverages. You are welcome to partake. Quietly stand
up when the entire congregation is asked to stand or turn to the
East (Jerusalem) when everyone else does. No writing, phones,
or cameras on Sabbath. A po;ite greeting is " Good Sabbath" or
the Hebrew "Shabbat Shalom"
Doh! I typed all this and then realized that many congregations
are not meeting in person due to COVID. YES call 1st and
explaine your request.
#Post#: 58067--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jewish holidays primer for non-Jewish people.
By: Winterlight Date: September 25, 2020, 9:41 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
My Reform shul (synagogue) was happy to have visitors, Jewish or
not. Definitely call and check first, right now a lot are doing
online only services or social distancing means they have to
limit people attending.
#Post#: 58069--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jewish holidays primer for non-Jewish people.
By: Gellchom Date: September 25, 2020, 11:48 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Jewish clergy wife here.
There are a LOT of topics and questions here! I am sure we
Jewish Brimstoners are all happy to answer any questions as they
come up or occur to others -- I'm sure everyone would prefer
that to a long essay trying to cover too many things (there are
books available for anyone who wants that much information at
once).
To respond to the original question (and a lovely question it
is), don't worry about trying to learn Hebrew or Yiddish
greetings for each holiday. This time of year, "Happy new year"
will do fine, even around Yom Kippur (another poster was correct
that you don't wish someone a "happy Yom Kippur" or "Have a nice
Yom Kippur"), because Rosh haShana and Yom Kippur go together,
referred to as "the high holidays." So even if it's closer to
Yom Kippur, "Happy new year" or "Have a sweet new year" is an
appropriate seasonal choice that will be appreciated. That's
all you have to do for your friends.
The other thing that we really appreciate regarding holidays is
people being aware of the calendar and trying to avoid
scheduling community/school/etc. events and meetings on holidays
-- it can put us and our children in awkward or impossible
situations. Look at any basic calendar and it will have the
high holidays at least, and possibly the big three festivals,
Succot, Passover, and Shavuot. (Be careful googling for a
calendar of Jewish holidays -- a few will have an astonishing
number of obscure fast days and minor things that you definitely
don't need to worry about.) It's also polite to avoid calling
about business matters, going door to door, etc. on Jewish
holidays (don't call at all on holidays or the Sabbath, Friday
night through Saturday, if they are observant).
I hope that helps.
Happy new year!
#Post#: 58089--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jewish holidays primer for non-Jewish people.
By: Winterlight Date: September 26, 2020, 1:02 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Big yes to the meeting issue. I know people whose work has
chosen to put on big meetings that people were required to
attend during the High Holidays, and it was really hurtful that
they had to choose between a work requirement and a big
religious obligation that comes every year which is well-known.
I nearly panicked this year when I thought we were having Staff
Development and Training Day on Yom Kippur (we weren't, I
misread the date, but it happens a lot). Also, I have to take
annual leave in order to attend High Holiday services. Be
sensitive to that. Your Muslim coworkers are also in the same
boat as I am.
*****************************************************
DIR Next Page