After the Iranian attack on Israel this Tuesday, October 1, the country’s Jewish community is preparing to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the equivalent of the Jewish New Year, with several security restrictions. An event also followed by Jews around the world.
The Israeli military announced tightened restrictions on public gatherings across the country on the eve of the Jewish New Year, including in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. This decision follows the Iranian attack on Israeli territory, carried out on the night of Tuesday October 1.
“In accordance with the assessment of the situation by the Home Front Command (Passive Defence), it has been decided to modify the guidelines for the public,” the command said in a statement.
According to the Hebrew calendar, based on the moon, the Jewish community passes to the year 5785 since the creation of the world. For this, tradition requires two days of celebration, from Wednesday October 2 in the evening, until sunset this Friday October 4 this year.
Throughout the period, which begins with the lighting of the candles, several prayers and rituals are organized. The most important involves blowing a sheep’s horn (or shofar), to invite believers to repent. A festive meal is also organized, which will include traditional dishes (apple in honey, dates, pomegranates, etc.).
Several parties in a row
It is customary to wish “Shana Tova!” on this occasion, which means “Happy New Year!” For Tashlikh, which takes place in the afternoon, Jews must go near a point of running water, where there are fish, and throw pieces of bread into it. A way for them to question themselves and leave their sins behind them.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is the first in a series of Jewish holidays which will punctuate these coming weeks: after a week of penances, comes Yom Kippur, or “Great Pardon”, a day of fasting, prayer and confession. of sins (October 11-12), Sukkot, the festival of booths, which recalls the time when the Hebrews lived in tents after their exit from Egypt (October 16-October 23) and, finally, the Simchat Torah ( October 24-25).
