| Talk about a comprehensive question....
I belong to a reform synagogue; someone may yet flame you for using
"temple", even though some synagogues call themselves that, since the
word is usually reserved for the Temple (in Jerusalem). As reform
synagogues go, ours is closer to the conservative side than many.
Rosh Hashanah services are basically the same as weekday services.
There are some extra prayers, and some prayers have extra words,
sentences, or paragraphs inserted into them (always good for a bit of
confusion for those who have the normal version memorized and do not
follow the printed words closely!). Yom Kippur services parallel the
sacrifical services that would have been taking place in the Temple,
and include long sections reciting what the High Priest would have been
doing at that time (e.g., making a sacrifice to purify himself, his
sons, the whole people, etc.). A very long section near the end of the
day (which is a 25-hour full fast day - not even water! Though I
usually cheat and take a glass of water late in the afternoon, since I
often get sick the next day if I don't.) is done standing up
traditionally - one of the differences in our service is that you are
not required to stand for the whole section (I never was able to
anyhow, especially in hot weather - luckily the holidays are pretty
late this year and it shouldn't be real hot). There are other long
sections which are community confessions of sins. You are supposed to
take the week between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to make amends for
the things you have done wrong since the previous year, and forgive the
people who have done things to you; the theory being that only you can
make restitution for things you have done to other people.
If you are truly interested in what the services are like, borrow a
prayerbook and a high holiday prayerbook (siddur and machzor,
respectively) from a Jewish friend after the holidays, and take a look.
Some of the high holiday prayerbooks (like mine) have the Torah and
haftarah (reading from the Prophets) included, so you don't need to
look them up, and nearly all of them have everything translated into
English as well as the original Hebrew (usually with the vowels). I
wouldn't suggest trying to visit a local synagogue during the High
Holidays, though you would be welcomed otherwise, because it is likely
to be packed to the rafters.
The prayers are basically the same. A liberal congregation, such as
ours, will do half of them in English. If you were to visit a very
strict congregation, everything would be in Hebrew except for the
sermon (drash). There are a few wording changes; for example, there is
a sentence in one prayer where the men thank G-d for not making them
women, which is omitted in liberal congregations. (Of course, in a very
tradtional congregation, you would not be able to see the women anyhow,
as we would all be seated behind a wall or screen to avoid
"distracting" the men while they pray. I think you can tell what I
think about this particular custom...!)
On Yom Kippur evening, men will wear prayer shawls (tallises), which
are usually only worn during the daytime (in a liberal congregation
like ours, some women also wear them). In a real strict congregation,
some or all of the men will wear a white jacket (kittle), which is worn
for solemn occasions (weddings, Passover by some people, and for
burial). Many people will not wear leather products on Yom Kippur, in
sympathy with domestic animals, so you see people in sneakers. On Yom
Kippur, during the prayer that talks about bowing before G-d, some
people will prostrate themselves, or at least bow much lower than they
do for the same prayer in the normal service. The Yom Kippur service
ends with a shofar blast (a horn made from a ram's horn, sort of a
valveless trumpet). (Then you go drink a gallon of apple juice, eat
some bread and sliced apples, and get a migraine...)
I hope this helps some - you really asked a pretty comprehensive
question!
/Charlotte
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| .4> someone may yet flame you for using
.4> "temple", even though some synagogues call themselves that, since the
.4> word is usually reserved for the Temple (in Jerusalem).0
talk about asking for flames...
being only a few days before Yom Kippur, i will try to control myself
1) has anyone REALLY gotten flamed for using the word 'temple' ?!?
2) /Charlotte is correct in stating that the basic outline of the prayers on
Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is the same as the prayers on Shabbat and the
other holidays. The main differences are that on R.H. prayers are added that
emphasize G-d's kingship (sovereignty is a better word) over the world, His
rememberence of man's deeds, and His revelation of Himself to man. On Y.K.
the main emphasis is on confession of ones sins and praying for forgivness.
A large part of the Y.K. Musaf service is a recounting of the High Priest's
service in the Beit HaMikdash.
3) Only leather SHOES may not be worn on Y.K. It is perfectly permissible to
wear a leather jacket, pants, skirt, underwear or anything else, but not shoes.
This is one of the 5 'afflictions' of Yom Kippur, the others being eating and
drinking (counts as one), bathing, smearing oneself with oils (or makeup or
perfume or ...), and sexual relations.
4) this is not the time nor the place to get into the 'women are second class
citizens in orthodox judaism' argument.
Louuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
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| Re: -1
>3) Only leather SHOES may not be worn on Y.K. It is perfectly permissible to
>wear a leather jacket, pants, skirt, underwear or anything else, but not shoes.
>This is one of the 5 'afflictions' of Yom Kippur, the others being eating and
>drinking (counts as one), bathing, smearing oneself with oils (or makeup or
>perfume or ...), and sexual relations.
The "affliction" not to wear leather SHOES originated most probably from the
request to go BAREFOOT, as the High Priest would go when entering the "Sancta
Sanctorum" Kodesh HaKodashim of the Temple. I can hardly relate to going to
the temple with a flashing pair of Reebocks as an "affliction".
>4) this is not the time nor the place to get into the 'women are second class
>citizens in orthodox judaism' argument.
Why not?
I doubt if the religious restrictions for women would stand in a legal
case for Equal Rights.
ULehavdil elef alfey havdalot, to all BAGELers, all around the world:
Please receive you all my best wishes for this New Year.
Best regards,
Juan-Carlos.
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