Solemn reflection begins

When people ask Rabbi Mark Miller of Temple Bat Yahm if he’s ready for the High Holidays, he usually replies, “Are you ready?”

The Jewish High Holy Days are a time of reflecting on the past year and atonement for one’s sins. It’s also a busy time of year for most rabbis, with numerous religious services to oversee. Miller said he tries to stay focused on the true meaning of the season.

“For me, I’ve come to realize that time is fleeting,” Miller said. “And I try not to focus so much on the little things and think about the bigger message.”Rosh Hashana, which marks the beginning of the Hebrew year 5768 this year, began at sundown Wednesday and will continue through sunset Friday.

The holiday extends over the first two days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Rosh Hashana marks the first day of the Jewish High Holy Days, or Yamim Noraim, Hebrew for “Days of Awe.”

The next 10 days are the most solemn of the Jewish year, encompassing Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.

As for many of the Jewish faith, the High Holy Days carry deep personal meaning for Rabbi Reuven Mintz of Chabad Jewish Center.

“Growing up, I think of my family and three generations celebrating together,” Mintz said. “My grandmother in Germany was not able to do these things openly in the 1940s, and so I feel a great sense of religious freedom.”

Brianna Bailey

FAST FACTS

 The two days of Rosh Hashana are considered one long day in the Jewish faith, or “Yoma Arichtah” in Aramaic.

 Many foods with symbolic meaning are eaten during the holiday. Apples dipped in honey are popular because they are said to sweeten the new year. Pomegranates also are eaten during the holiday because they are said to have 613 seeds, the same number of commandments in the Torah.

 The Hebrew calendar is set up so that the first day of Rosh Hashana will never fall on the first, fourth or sixth day of the Jewish week.

 The traditional greeting during Rosh Hashana is “Shana Tova,” Hebrew for “A Good Year.”