Section J4

Topics

Choose a topic to revise

Sample objectives

What this unit covers

• Rosh Hashanah (‘Head of’/New Year): Rosh Hashanah, known as the 'Head of the Year' or New Year, involves several key aspects: (a) the significance of the Ten Days of Awe, also referred to as the Days of Repentance; (b) the first of these days, which commemorates God's Creation; (c) the importance of the Book of Life and the blowing of the Shofar during synagogue services; (d) traditional foods consumed and their meanings; (e) the practice of Tashlikh, or casting away; (f) the religious motivations behind Rosh Hashanah, including its origins, purpose, and symbolism; (g) the social implications of celebrating Rosh Hashanah; and (h) various customs associated with the observance of Rosh Hashanah.
• Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement): Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement, is recognized as the final day of the Ten Days of Repentance and is considered the most sacred day of the year. This includes understanding how individuals express repentance through practices such as fasting, adhering to prohibitions, and wearing white garments. It also involves the themes of reconciliation and making new commitments during Yom Kippur, as well as the essential elements of synagogue services specific to this day. Additionally, it covers the religious motivations behind the observance of Yom Kippur, including its origins, significance, and symbolism, along with the social importance of this observance and the various ways it is celebrated.
• Pesach (Passover): Understand Pesach (Passover) as a celebration of God's liberation of the Israelites from Egypt, including the final plague and the Exodus. Explore the Seder meal, including the significance of the foods on the Seder plate, the Haggadah, and the four questions asked during the Seder. Discuss the religious motivations for observing Pesach, including its origins, purpose, and symbolism. Examine the social importance of Pesach and the various ways it is celebrated.
• Sukkot (Booths/Tabernacles): Understand the celebration of Sukkot, which includes the gathering of the harvest and God's protection of the Israelites during their time in the wilderness. Discuss the construction and significance of the sukkah, the ritual of waving the lulav (which consists of four types of plants: lulav, etrog, hadass, and aravah), the religious reasons for celebrating Sukkot including its origins, purpose, and symbolism, the social importance of the festival, and the various ways in which Sukkot is celebrated.
• Changes to festivals and fasts: Examine the modifications in traditional religious customs related to festivals and fasts, as well as the contemporary methods of celebrating them. Additionally, explore the perspectives of individuals with varying Jewish beliefs regarding these modifications.