Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

[Arie]

Hey guys!

So this thread has a few different purposes. First of off, a lot of people know that us Jews have a whole lot of Holidays coming up. Some people have been asking me questions so I decided why not make a thread? Also I need to ask forgiveness (I will explain this in a little). All questions are welcome!!!

 

Here I go!!!!!

 

1. This Wednesday night kicks off out New Year, or Rosh Hashanah. Which literally translates into, "head of the year". I want to explain something about this day. People think that Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement is the "bad" day, but its not. We believe that every year G-D decides our fate for that year and "records" it. On Rosh Hashanah we literally pray for our lives. We pray for everyone around us. To highlight how HUGE of a day this is I am going to show you a passage from our prayers. This passage literally makes me cry in synagogue.

 

Something we repeat over and over on Rosh Hashanah as well as the ten days following and on Yom Kippur: This is only part. The part that I think fully explains the days. It is not the best translation from the Hebrew.

 

"On Rosh Hashanah will be inscribed and on Yom Kippur will be sealed how many will pass from the earth and how many will be created; who will live and who will die; who will die at his predestined time and who before his time; who by water and who by fire, who by sword, who by beast, who by famine, who by thirst, who by storm, who by plague, who by strangulation, and who by stoning. Who will rest and who will wander, who will live in harmony and who will be harried, who will enjoy tranquillity and who will suffer, who will be impoverished and who will be enriched, who will be degraded and who will be exalted. But REPENTANCE, PRAYER and CHARITY. Remove the Evil of the Decree!"

 

Its a day when we literally pray for our lives. So there is something I want to know before the holiday starts. Who has someone they need me to pray for? I know so many people on this site have loved ones who are suffering, or they themselves are suffering. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me if there is someone you would like me to keep in mind when I pray. If you do not feel comfortable posting here, then please PM me. Keep in mind, I can't use the computer ones the holiday starts so please let me know!! I want to pray for everyone that I can. Too many people don't have someone to pray for them. I always like to keep those people in mind.

 

2. There are ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. On Rosh Hashnah we pray for our lives, and on Yom Kippur our faith is sealed. During the ten days in between we are super careful to be the best people we can be.

 

Something we do during these ten days is ask forgiveness from everyone we know. Most people say that it is best to do this personally, and I will. But, I am sure there are people I have hurt without even realizing. So please everyone forgive me for anything bad I might have done. It is so important to me to enter this new year in the best way possible. Part of that is by being forgiven.

 

3. Yom Kippur is actually a happy day, even though we fast. We spend all day in synagogue praying. We fast for 25 hours. Many people do not sleep. (Also some people do not like to sleep on Rosh Hashanah). On this day we are happy and hopeful since our fate has been sealed.

 

I hope that was a good explanation. I really wanted to make this thread because I have had such a hard, stressful year. I am battling so many different things right now. My world has been ripped a part time and time again. I need a good year. I need a better year. I need to heal. I hate to talk about whats happened, and even about myself. But, all your support gives me hope each and everyday. Your forgiveness will help me even more.

 

Thanks for reading!! All comments are welcome!!! And, please tell me if you have anyone you would like me to keep in mind in my prayers!!!

[Mr. Pumpkinhead]

Wow Ariebelles!!! It really does seem like such an emotionally tense period between those two Jewish Holidays. Like any friendship though few, we've had our little disagreements or misunderstandings at times this past year. I absolutely forgive you and I absolutely hope and pray for your forgiveness for those times when I may have been short sighted or grumpy or inattentive to you.

 

I hope you will take the time to pray for youself and the things you hope for and want this new year. In everything from the spiritual to the emotional to the physical/mental and material. It looks like that is part of the process according to the manner in which you describe, but I truly believe that SELF is the most important person in certain respects... mostly in that we all must start from a strong base, a strong, healthy and confident sense of person and purpose, so that when we move on to our friends, loved ones and anyone else we may pray for that we have the confidence and belief in ourselves to bear the weight of their prayers and needs. :3m_sie:

 

Then I don't know if you can only pray for those who have suffered in the past year in the new year... or if you can also pray for those whom have been blessed, in that they may carry on their blessings. If that is the case, then I would ask that you pray for my brother Clifford, his wife Tracy and their new baby Tristram, that their year may enjoy good health and all the joys of experiencing family as new parents. For my neice Katrina, esp. in her schooling, that she may make the right choices as she prepares to go to college. For my mother and brother Robert/his wife Shirley, that they might recover the losses of the floods that hit them this past year and enjoy a year free of the emotional/financial stresses and complications they suffered this year. For my friends Kathy and Henda who will be getting married in June, so they will share a long, happy, healthy marriage. For my friends here at emmawatson.net who I have come to love dearly. I know many of them struggle with some of the normal adolescent and young adult struggles we all need help with and some face extroadinary or unique struggles through which they need support and guidance. If you can say a quick prayer for them collectively, it would mean so much to me. I'm sorry I'm asking for so much... that might not have been the purpose of your offer. I ofc will be sure to pray for all these things myself... so I understand if it might stretch out side the boudaries of what you are able to do with all the demands I'm making.

 

If possible that you could also say a prayer for me, I would be grateful, as I hope to do a better job of meeting the needs of my friends and loved ones , what ever those needs might be, and that I might find the self motivation and confidence/sense of purpose that will aid me in gaining a bit of financial security, personal happiness and improved health, improved personal habits. Whatever you are able to pray for I am so grateful for the time and consideration you are able to give. Thank you Ariebella, and may your new year be blessed with both the courage and conviction to help you through the old year's challenges and the strength, foresight, health and happiness that will serve you well in a memorable new year full of personal/professional opportunities and growth as well as the safty, happiness and well being of all those whom you love.

 

Through the whole period never forget the power/ability you have to effect change for the good in yourself and others, throught, thought, prayer and action.

[Karen]

Arie thank you so much for posting this! Sorry I didn't get to it earlier I hope that you and all the other jewish members of this forum have a very blessed rosh hashanah, and thank you so much for sharing your history with us!

 

Oh, and if you could please pray for my friend Becca as she faces all sorts of personal difficulties in her life and that she can learn to accept herself, and for my campus so taht we can become enlightened and work together to making a better future for us all. And also for me, that I make the right choices and continue to discover and get to know myself

Edited September 29, 2011 by Karen

[Arie]

Thanks for reading and responding guys!!! I am glad you enjoyed reading everything!!!

 

I prayed for everything that both of you asked me too, and I prayed for everyone on the forums as well. I cried a lot in Temple because this year has been so hard on me.

 

Jon, thank you for forgiving me!!! And, I broke down and prayed a lot for myself as well. Of course you can pray for even those who have had positive things!!! That's the wonderful part!!!

 

Karen, thank you!! I prayed for everything you asked me too!