I Love Tradition

Tradition will mean different things for you for each Holiday you celebrate.

I am writing this article for those that don’t celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur just to share with you a little of what these holidays are all about. I think the more we learn about each other’s traditions, the more understanding we have and the more we grow as individuals. Feel free to contact me through the site if you would like to share an article about the traditions and Holidays you celebrate.

Rosh Hashanah is a Holiday Both of Happiness and Celebration, and Serious Introspection

Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of The Jewish New Year. You will hear greetings like Happy New Year and L’Shana Tova being said.

 Jewish Tradition teaches us that for the next 10 days The Book of Life is opened. We ask G-d to inscribe our name in this book of life.We think a lot about our lives and what we have done over the past year and what we can do to make it better. Not just for ourselves, but for those connected with us ~ family, friends, acquaintances, etc.

We know that we are not perfect and because of that we atone for whatever sin we may have committed, sometimes knowingly, other times unknowingly. The culmination of the 10 days is Yom Kippur the holiest holiday of the year. On this holiday we fast for approximately 24 hours as a sign of atonement for the sins we have committed.

Some Tradition for Rosh Hashanah:

Sounding of the Shofar at the Synagogue symbolizing the New Year.

A bit more religious is throwing bits of bread into a body of flowing water, with the bread pieces symbolizing “casting away your sins.” This is referred to as  “Tashlich.”

Rosh Hashanah is a Happy Celebration so like with most Jewish holidays, we celebrate with food:

Family and Friend Meals ~ the first one is on the night before the beginning of the Holiday and is known as “Erev Rosh Hashanah.” Most people have a dinner the second night as well.  I always like to include friends, or friends of friends, who are alone for the holiday.

In addition, For a Sweet  Year   … we eat Apples dipped in honey:

Also, We choose a Round Challah (delicious egg bread) to symbolize the continuing circle of our lives:

We also drink Sweet Wine – I enjoy it. Serious wine drinkers don’t like it as much.

The other traditional Foods I like included in my Holiday Dinner  ~

Another Tradition is Gefilte Fish and/or Chopped Liver:

Other foods that we include in our yearly tradition:

Chicken Soup aka Jewish Penicillin

Roast Turkey or Roast Chicken

Sweet Potato – plain baked or sweet potato casseroles

Noodle Kugel – sweet of course for a Happy Sweet New Year

Fresh Cooked Vegetables

Honey Cake – I love to make this every year and (what a surprise) I add mini chocolate chips. It really puts a smile on everyone’s face

Bobka (my absolute Favorite Dessert) is a tradition of mine, not necessarily a tradition for most people.  I have yet to find the perfect recipe so my local Publix will make it as a special order. Everyone I have introduced this to, absolutely LOVES it.

 

 Tradition for Yom Kippur

The night before Yom Kippur, is known as “Erev Yom Kippur.” Since we will be fasting for 24 hours we eat a nice meal before going to Temple/Synagogue to pray. Many of the prayers for both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are very important to me traditionally.

It is a long day while fasting and again we go to Temple to pray. Services usually go all day long with some breaks in between.

“Breaking the Fast” is the traditional meal at the end of the day. The Traditional Food I have always served includes:

• Bagels and Lox
• Whitefish Salad
• Lettuce, Tomato, Cucumber and Onion Slices
• Tunafish Salad, Chicken Salad, Egg Salad can also be served
• Pickled Herring
• French Toast Casserole
• Blintz Souffle
• Assortment of Delicious Desserts
• Fruit Salad

Happy and Healthy New Year!

If you have a family tradition or two to share, we would love to hear from you. Join us in our facebook group ~ Here.

No matter what Holiday(s) you do celebrate, you’ll want to include some Self Care time for yourself! This checklist uses the winter holidays as an example, but you can use them over and over again for every holiday.