N.B. "Since Orthodox and Conservative Jews observe Rosh Hashanah for two days, this ceremony occurs on the second day, if the first day falls on the Sabbath." [Gr p.49]
10th Tishri (Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement)
History: Origin : Leviticus 23:27. According to legend, Moses "received a 2nd set of tablets, then descended on the 10th of Tishrei to find the Jewish people fasting and repenting." [quoted in Syme p.32] "...The biblical record reflected a strong belief in magic and superstition of its age. (Lev 16:7-22 scapegoat) Prayer, fasting, and the giving of charity emerged as powerful to substitute the function of the temple. ( after 586 B.C.E.) "...The ceremony of kapparot is derived from biblical scapegoat ritual in 1st century C.E. [Syme p.331
Practice: All females (12+) and males (13+) must fast. [Syme p.34] Eve service begins with a prayer, "Kol Nidre" : unfulfilled vows are forgiven. It represents personal longing for God, and regrets the sins of the past year. Reading long lists of possible sins, and they personally before God. Though the language of the prayer is in plural (eg we). Sing songs & read scripture. Concluding service, in the morning, is called N'ilah ("closing"). [Gr p.50]
It referred originally to the colsing of the Temple gate in Jerusalem in the the Day of Atonement. Then kneel before God, the Ark is opened. They see the Torah. Tekiah once. After this, they can take food, smile, and be joyful. They will see "L'shanah tovah tikatevu " (May you be inscribed for a good year ) to one another. This is "May God give you a good signature!"
b) Major Feasts of Pilgrimage
i) Passover (Pesach) : Barley harvest: Physical freedom (Exodus) 8 days. In the liturgal dacne, they lift (Hebrew: Pesach) the grain to the moon.
ii) Pentecost (Shevuoth): Wheat harvest: Spiritual freedom (Receive Torah) It lasts only 1 day. Shevuoth means weeks.
iii) Tabernacles (Sukkoth): Fruit harvest: God's protection. (Wandering) 8 days [ Greenstein pp. 51-53]
4. Other religious observances:
a) Sabbath (Shabbat: Greenstein pp. 43-47 )
"To deny or ignore the Sabbath is to deny the very purpose for which man was created."