EARLY TRADITIONS AND HOLY DAYS
The Jewish religion practices many traditions.
Hanukkah
One of the most known traditions is Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. This holiday celebrates the victory over the Syrian Greeks. Hanukkah lasts for eight days, because of a candle that was expected to last only one day, but burned for eight. That candle had so much significance because after the Jews had won the war against the Syrians, there was only one temple not completely burned down. However, it was completely dark, and all the Jews had as a source of light was that candle. So, they lit it thinking it wouldn't last long, but a miracle happened and it burned for the Jews in the temple for eight days. A common game to play on Hanukkah is called dreidel. You play it by spinning a top with four letters written on it. The letter it lands on determines how much gelt, or chocolate coins will be on.
Shabbat
Another tradition is the Sabbath day, also known as Shabbat, which occurs every Friday. People cannot use modern technology, like cars or television, and this lasts for 25 hours.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and ten days after is Yom Kippur, which is considered the "Day of Atonement". During this tradition, Jewish people do a number of things; they fast, apologize and accept their sins, and pray.
Passover
Another early tradition in the Jewish religion is Passover, or in Hebrew, Pesach. For eight days, no yeast is eaten, to celebrate when the Jews were lead out of slavery. They also celebrate their travel to Israel and the ten commandments with a ritual meal.
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
Something that teens get in their Jewish life is a Bar Mitzvah (for a boy) or Bat Mitzvah (for a girl). These celebrations occur when a Jewish girl or boy turns thirteen years of age. In some traditions, though, it is when they turn twelve. The purpose of a bar or bat mitzvah is for the child to lead a saturday morning service and read from the Torah. This tradition has become something that all Jewish teens have, and can remember as the first time they read from the Torah.
Hanukkah
One of the most known traditions is Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. This holiday celebrates the victory over the Syrian Greeks. Hanukkah lasts for eight days, because of a candle that was expected to last only one day, but burned for eight. That candle had so much significance because after the Jews had won the war against the Syrians, there was only one temple not completely burned down. However, it was completely dark, and all the Jews had as a source of light was that candle. So, they lit it thinking it wouldn't last long, but a miracle happened and it burned for the Jews in the temple for eight days. A common game to play on Hanukkah is called dreidel. You play it by spinning a top with four letters written on it. The letter it lands on determines how much gelt, or chocolate coins will be on.
Shabbat
Another tradition is the Sabbath day, also known as Shabbat, which occurs every Friday. People cannot use modern technology, like cars or television, and this lasts for 25 hours.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and ten days after is Yom Kippur, which is considered the "Day of Atonement". During this tradition, Jewish people do a number of things; they fast, apologize and accept their sins, and pray.
Passover
Another early tradition in the Jewish religion is Passover, or in Hebrew, Pesach. For eight days, no yeast is eaten, to celebrate when the Jews were lead out of slavery. They also celebrate their travel to Israel and the ten commandments with a ritual meal.
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
Something that teens get in their Jewish life is a Bar Mitzvah (for a boy) or Bat Mitzvah (for a girl). These celebrations occur when a Jewish girl or boy turns thirteen years of age. In some traditions, though, it is when they turn twelve. The purpose of a bar or bat mitzvah is for the child to lead a saturday morning service and read from the Torah. This tradition has become something that all Jewish teens have, and can remember as the first time they read from the Torah.