Rosh Hashanah

This is the Jewish New Year celebration. It takes place on the first day of Tishrei, which is the first month of the civil year (although the 7th month of the ecclesiastical year) and is said to be the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.

One of the customs of this celebration is eating apples dipped in honey to symbolise the wish for a sweet New Year. Another is the founding of a horn (known as a shofar) which is a call to repentance in remembrance of mankind’s first sin. The horn is sounded 100 times over the 2 day festival unless the first day falls on Shabbat.

No work is allowed on this day and Jews spend much of the time in the synagogue. Rosh Hashanah is a time for self-reflection, for asking forgiveness for wrong-doings, and for planning to be better in the coming year.

Related posts: Sukkot    Yom Kippur

Day of Ashura

The Day of Ashura, which means day of remembrance, is on the 10th day of Muharram, and it commemorates many different events.

It is believed to be the day that Noah left the ark after the floods receded, and this is one of the events thought about on this day.

For Shi’ite Muslims, it is also a day of mourning that I think about Iman Hussain (Hussain ibn Ali) the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who was killed in battle in 680CE.

Sunni Muslims think about God saving Moses from the Egyptians, also believed to have happened on this day, and for them it is a day of fasting.

Related posts: Laylat al-Qadr   Islamic New Year

What are Las Posadas?

Las Posadas are processions which take place in Mexico on nine consecutive evenings leading up to Christmas Eve. A boy and a girl are chosen to represent Mary and Joseph and they process through the town, carrying lanterns and candles, and re-enacting the story of Joseph and Mary being turned away from the inns.

They sing at each of the houses they stop at. Each night a different house is  chosen to be the one that offers shelter, and a party is hosted there. There is a meal with carols (called villancicos), small gifts of fruit and sweets are exchanged and the children break a piñata shaped like a star.

The Festival of the Virgin of Guadeloupe

The Virgin Mary is the patron saint of Mexico. The story says that she appeared three times in December 1531 to a poor man by the name of Juan Diego. Each time, she told him to tell the bishop to build a church on that spot.

After the first two appearances the bishop didn’t believe the story, but after the third time a rose bush grew on the spot where she had appeared, and her image could be seen on Juan Diego’s cloak. After that, the bishop believed him and the church, the Basilica de Guadeloupe, was built.

The festival of the Virgin of Guadeloupe begins the Christmas celebrations in Mexico. It   lasts for nine Days, from 3rd to 12th December and pilgrimages are made to the church during this time. On the 11th December there are fireworks and light displays and people dance until the following morning which is her feast day.

What is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur is the most important date in the Jewish calendar, and even Jews who don’t celebrate other Jewish holidays will mark this one. It is the holiest day in the year in Judaism, and falls on the 10th day of the month of Tishri.

Yom Kippur translates as Day of Atonement and it is a day for represented for repenting sins. Atonement on this day is between Man and God only. Sins against other people have to be dealt with separately, and so the day before Yom Kippur is often spend asking for and giving forgiveness, and being charitable.

Jews have to fast on this day, beginning at sunset on the day before, and ending at sunset on the day itself. A festive meal is held before sunset on the previous day so that everybody eats well before the fast begins. Children under the age of 9 are not allowed to fast, and nor are women who have just given birth. In addition to this, it is not permitted to work; to wash or to wear perfumes, lotions or deodorant; or to wear leather.

The day is spent in prayer at the synagogue, and there is a communal confession of sin. The Ark, where the Torah is kept, remains open throughout the service, so people have to stand for the whole service. White is worn to symbolise purity.

Related posts: Sukkot     Hannukah