Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year

“Use everything for your upliftment and growth’ 

I approach every event of my life and everything in it with a great sense of practicum. Though I like contemplating on the affairs of the world, events, people’s character or my behaviour, at the end of the day, my question stays the same: So, how am I going to use this for my upliftment and growth?  I am not willing to brood over  or judge the ‘unfairness’ of life: I KNOW that there are no coincidences and each life event offers an opportunity to gain greater awareness of my existence.

This is why I like observing different spiritually infused or religious celebrations. Today we are celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, in the Jewish tradition. 

Some information on Rosh Hashanah:

The two days of Rosh Hashanah usher in the Ten Days of Repentance (Aseret Yemei Teshuvah), also known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim), which culminate in the major fast day of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The Days of Awe represent the climax of a longer process. Starting at the beginning of the previous month, called Elul, the shofar is traditionally sounded at the conclusion of the morning service. A ram’s horn that makes a trumpet-like sound, the shofar is intended as a wake-up call to prepare for the Tishrei holidays. One week before Rosh Hashanah, special petitionary prayers called Selichot are added to the ritual. Rosh Hashanah itself is also known as Yom Hadin or the Day of Judgment, on which God opens the Books of Life and Death, which are then sealed on Yom Kippur.

The prayer book for the High Holidays is called the Mahzor. Three unique sets of prayers are added to the morning service during Rosh Hashanah. These are known as Malkhuyot, which address the sovereignty of God, Zikhronot, which present God as the one who remembers past deeds, and Shofarot, in which we stand in nervous anticipation of the future.

Each of these sections culminates in the blasts of the shofar, the most potent symbol of the holiday. The shofar is alluded to in the most memorable Torah reading for the holiday, the Akedah or Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22). The story and the shofar serve as reminders of the covenant between God and the people of Israel, carrying with them the message of sacrifice, hope, and continuity.

This is the time of year during which we are to atone for both our individual — and on Yom Kippur, our communal — sins committed over the course of the previous year, before God literally closes the books on us and inscribes our fates for the coming year. God’s rule over humanity and our need to serve God are stressed time and again over the course of the holiday.

Source

Continue reading Rosh Hashanah

Gudi Padwa/Chaitra Sukhladi

The Hindu New Year

It is believed that Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, created the world on this day. Therefore, this day is considered auspicious and is celebrated as the beginning of a new era.

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Another day to have fun and celebrate. 🙂 The Hindues celebrate Sukhladi or Gudi Padwa (this celebration has many names) on the 9th of April with gifts and decorations.

Every celebratory event is an opportunity to cheer up and have fun. The world is full of drama and gloom. When I am invited to celebrate, give thanks, be marry and joyous, I take the opportunity.

Let’s celebrate that we are healthy, we live in abundance of opportunities, we are free to make decisions for ourselves, and we are loved (at least by one person, yourself). Let’s make it a day of joy, fun, laughter, even if it is difficult because of circumstances. One laughter is more than none.  One smile is more than none. Remembering of one nice thing is better than none. Making a day count by peeping out of the drama and the craze, will make your day. I guarantee that.

More information on Chaitra Sukhladi

In 2024, the date of Chaitra Sukhladi is April 9. Chaitra Sukhladi is celebrated with much fervour and enthusiasm in Maharashtra and Karnataka. On this day, people wake up early and take a ritualistic bath. They then decorate their homes with rangolis and flowers. People also offer prayers to Lord Brahma and perform puja rituals. They wear new clothes and exchange sweets and gifts with family and friends.

In Maharashtra, people prepare a special dish called Shrikhand-Puri on this day. In Karnataka, people prepare a dish called Holige, which is made of jaggery and lentils. The festive spirit is high during Chaitra Sukhladi, and people come together to celebrate this day with great zeal.