Rosh Hashanah: The Weird, Joyous, and Different History of This Awesome Holiday
We cannot really celebrate the New Year just once, too many amazing traditions all over the world to only celebrate once.
I celebrate our jointly cultural and sort of global New Year on the 1st of January. I then celebrate the Chines New Year in February, then the Persian New Year in March, my favorite, because of the food, and then the Jewish New Year in September.
And so today, with gladness in my heart, I wish all of you a happy Rosh Hashanah which translates in Hebrew into the Head of the Year or the First of the Year.
For the weird, fun, and awesome part: This holiday was historically celebrated in the spring, like the Persian New Year, on the new moon two weeks before Passover (Michaelson, 2017).
It was actually not even called Rosh Hashanah but "Yom Teruah" which means a day of Sounding (the Shofar) to usher in Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah - is a perfect reminder of atonement and bewilderment, a great sharp Jewish humor and lament.
Yom Kippur was based partly on pagan traditions, being that the Hebrews had a tendency to mesh with other cultures around them, and let's face it, some of the pagan rituals were more fun, and as Michaelson (2021) describes it "somewhat orgiastic in nature" and joyous.
But the exile into Babylonia changed much. Jews adopted even more pagan rituals, and the time of the holiday was moved to September, which is the beginning of Fall, and in the Middle East, it is considered the beginning of life.
Since Summer was like death (the heat, no water) and winter is life - it makes sense that the New Year will start when life begins again to stir.
The holiday is actually one of my favorites, it was in my family a feast that was typically vegetarian(with a little fish at times), and my mother's cooking was delightful. It was not wild, but it was joyous.
We all need new beginning from time to time. Article
I wish you a Happy Rosh Hashanah, filled with love for humanity.
References:
-
Michaelson, J. (2021, Sept. 6). The Secret History of Rosh Hashanah. The Daily Beast.https://www.thedailybeast.com/rosh-hashanah-is-the-holiday-of-immigration-marginalization-and-multiculturalism
Sincerely yours,
Dohrea
We have developed our products based on scientific research and/or the practical experience of many healthcare practitioners. There is a growing body of literature on food based nutrition and supplements and their application in support of our health. Please use our products under the advisement of your doctor.
Research and Our World: Peace
Leonard Cohen has one heck of a sharp mind, he's a genius on so many levels. Listen carefully to his words in Hallelujah. The so called love between David and Bat-Sheva that has brought so much sorrow, in Hebrew: בת שבע Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah (Live in London). 236 million views. Hallelujah |
|
©2005 - 2023 BioImmersion Inc. All Rights Reserved |