Celebrate the New Year in Israel. New Year in Israel: features of celebration, traditions and interesting facts. European New Year
- a unique country. Probably nowhere in the world is there a state with such a concentration of holy places and ancient attractions. The religion of the local residents is also special - Judaism. The adherents of this denomination have their own holidays, which differ sharply from the Christian ones that are familiar to us. This also applies to the New Year in Israel. We will talk about when it is celebrated in the country and introduce the main traditions.
Traditions and date of the New Year in Israel
For us Christians, the most magical night of the year occurs from December 31 to January 1. The Jews record the coming of the new year at a completely different time of year - in the fall. This holiday is called Rosh Hashanah (translated from Hebrew as “head of the year”). Moreover, there is no set date for the new year in Israel. Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah for two days (called Yom Haarikhta) on the new moon, which falls in the autumn month of Tishrei on the Jewish calendar. In our calendar, this time falls in September-October.
This is not to say that Rosh Hashanah is celebrated cheerfully. The fact is that according to Jewish traditions, in the first ten days of the new year, God judges and pronounces sentence. Therefore, believers must remember all their accomplishments, repent of their sins and trust in God’s mercy.
Rosh Hashanah is celebrated throughout the country. Among believers, it is customary for families to gather for a festive dinner, congratulate each other and give symbolic gifts. If a loved one is not around, they send them greeting cards. On every table in a Jewish family you can see dishes traditional for this day, which always symbolize something. For example, the head of a fish or a ram will help you to be in charge. Fish is considered a symbol of fertility, carrots cut into slices are wealth (like gold coins), challah with raisins is health. And of course, on this day they eat honey and apples for a sweet and happy year, as well as pomegranate seeds to multiply good deeds. Bitter and salty foods are not served on the festive table.
In the evening, a tashlik is held near a pond where fish are found - a custom of symbolically throwing one's sins into the water.
European New Year in Israel
Despite the fact that Rosh Hashanah is the traditional New Year in the country, numerous immigrants from the countries of the former USSR still melancholy greet its onset according to the Gregorian calendar, that is, from December 31 to January 1. Moreover, local entrepreneurs are quite favorable towards the wishes of repatriates and are willing to meet them.
Especially for this time, analogues of Christmas trees are grown - plants. And to make sure the New Year in Israel is not boring, many restaurants and cafes organize entertainment programs on New Year’s Eve.
Many supermarkets stock up on traditional products and delicacies for the holiday. New Year's discounts and sales are observed in all shopping centers. So it turns out to be almost the same New Year we love, but with an Israeli flair.
Tourists from the post-Soviet space are also attracted by the New Year's weather in Israel. Isn’t it wonderful to instead of frosty days find yourself at a resort with daytime air temperatures of about +22+25°? Moreover, the sea water warms up to +20+25°, which is quite comfortable for swimming.
Sometimes at this time of year it can be very windy, which will most likely rule out swimming, but it won't hurt to take part in exciting excursions. As for the weather conditions in Israel for the New Year 2015, it is difficult to predict. The main thing is to book your tour in advance, since there are many people who want to spend this bright holiday, which means the prices are high. We recommend planning a vacation in those cities where there are many Russian restaurants: Tel Aviv, Eilat, Netanya, Haifa. If your tour lasts until January 8-10, you can take part in the Christmas liturgy in Bethlehem, Jerusalem or Nazareth.
Not a public holiday because the country celebrates the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, which falls in September or October. The holiday is celebrated according to the lunar calendar and always on the new moon, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. It signifies the end of the creation of the world by the Almighty and the beginning of the year. These days, Israelis take stock of the past year and make plans for the next, gathering with the whole family at the festive table.
The spread of Western culture led to the celebration of the European New Year. However, January 1 is a regular working day in. But in recent decades, New Year, or Sylvester, has become increasingly popular in the country, although it is not officially celebrated. This is mainly due to the increasing number of migrants from the countries of the former USSR arriving in the country for permanent residence. At this time, many restaurants and clubs offer their guests a festive program (you just need to book tables in advance, as places run out quickly) with rich treats, various concerts and shows.
Christmas in is truly Christmas in the Holy Land, the most magical and significant event for Christians. Christmas in Israel is not a one-day affair. Catholics and Protestants celebrate it on December 25, Orthodox Christians celebrate it on January 6, and Armenian Christians celebrate it on January 18: Jerusalem is known as the “city of three Christmas Eves.” Despite the fact that only a few percent of the population in Israel are Christians, the most important religious ceremonies in the world are held here. Many pilgrims come to the Holy Land at this time to feel the especially exciting and festive atmosphere and visit the places where Jesus walked.
Like the Jewish holidays, Christmas is also filled with songs and stories about Jesus and his family, and late at night little children will run into the living room to see what gifts Santa has brought them. Christmas typically coincides with Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Light. If you come to Israel for Christmas, or just happen to be here at this time and want to celebrate it in the most popular place, go to the city of Bethlehem, which is located south of Jerusalem, on the West Bank. Here, on the eve of the great holiday, the most famous services are held in the Basilica of the Nativity of Christ on Yaselnaya Square. Nazareth, Jesus' hometown in the north, is also a very interesting and significant place to visit at this time. In the squares, in places of mass prayers, huge Christmas trees are erected, holiday celebrations and various performances take place. On December 24, a traditional procession takes place on the main street of the city, in which about 30,000 believers take part, walking towards the main square in front of the Basilica of the Annunciation. Later in the day, the annual fireworks display can be seen here.
At the same time, grand sales are taking place throughout the country, and you can fully enjoy shopping and purchase a lot of pleasant and useful things and souvenirs at very reasonable prices! It should be noted that during Christmas, many tourists take tours of the monasteries and churches of Israel, so be prepared for large crowds of people almost everywhere.
If you want not only to have a cultural relaxation and spiritual enrichment, but also to lie on the beach, visit Eilat, because on the shores of the Red Sea the temperature in January is about 20-23 degrees Celsius with a water temperature of 22 C. Yes, it is especially hot here at this time no, but getting a nice tan and swimming is quite possible. In addition, at this time the city hosts very interesting events and holidays. The International Belly Dance Festival is considered one of the most spectacular. You will be able to watch brilliant performances by dancers and even attend master classes by outstanding masters. For lovers of art and culture, Eilat hosts the Winter Jazz Festival and the Classics on the Red Sea festival, where the Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra performs.
Lovers of SPA and wellness holidays can look forward to luxury Dead Sea hotels offering a wide range of different facial and body treatments with therapeutic mud. Due to the fact that the sea water is saturated with minerals, its temperature is about 22 - 24 degrees and is often warmer than the air.
Want something hotter? Almost every hotel has indoor swimming pools with sea water and heated. Celebrating the Christmas holidays in the Holy Land, in such significant places for the entire Christian world, is worth a lot. Christmas in is unparalleled throughout the world, thanks to its historical significance as the land where the Christmas story itself was born.
All about the meaning, traditions and days of the onset of 5778 according to the Jewish calendar in Israel and in the world in the article by Shlomo Groman, professor at Bar-Ilan University:
Name, meaning and dates of the holiday
Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah (רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה), exact pronunciation in Hebrew “rosh hashanah”, in Yiddish “roshOne”; hereinafter, the emphasis in words is marked in capital letters) is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of the Jewish month of Tishrei (Tishri).In 2017, its celebration begins on the evening of Wednesday, September 20, and ends on the evening of Friday, September 22.
As the second day of Rosh Hashanah flows into Shabbat this year,institutions, many shops and other businesses, as well as public transport are not functioning for three days in a row, until the evening of Saturday, September 23. Unlike Shabbat, cooking is allowed on the holiday, but only food intended to be eaten within the next few hours.
"Rosh Hashanah" literally means "head of the year." Just as the functions of the whole body depend on the head, a person’s behavior on Rosh Hashanah determines what the coming year will be like for him.
Rosh Hashanah is celebrated for two days, although the Torah requires it to be observed for only 1 Tishrei:"And in the seventh month, On the first day of the month you will have a sacred meeting; on this day you shall not do any work; on this day you will blow the shofar.”(Vayikra/Leviticus 23:23-25; Bemidbar/Numbers 29:1-6).
As you know, in the Diaspora (outside Israel) all holidays are celebrated for two days instead of one, but Rosh Hashanah is celebrated for two days even inThe country of Israel. This is for us a memory of the times of the existence of the Temple and the Sanhedrin (Sanhedrin), when the beginning of the month was established by the Supreme Court according to the testimony of witnesses who saw the crescent of the new moon. Before sunset on the 29th of Elul, it was considered unknown whether witnesses would see the crescent moon, i.e., whether the coming day would be 1 Tishrei or 30 Elul, and whether the holiday should begin. To avoid doubt, it was decided to celebrate Rosh Hashanah for two days.
When was the world created?
Which of the six days of the creation of the world corresponds to Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the year? It turns out that it was not the first day on which heaven and earth were created, but the sixth, when man was created. On this day, the creation of the world was completed and the first year of its full existence began.
“And God said, Let us make man, and let him rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the livestock, and over all the earth.”(Bereishit/Genesis 1:26).
Why does the Torah say “let us do” - in the plural? Didn't God alone create man? There are different answers to this question, one of them is this: with the plural of the verb “let’s do,” God refers to the person himself, who thereby becomes a participant in the Divine creation of his own personality.
God seems to be saying to Adam (and thereby to every person): “If you want, if you make an effort, if you try, then together we - you and I - will make a man out of you.” Thus, immediately upon the creation of the world, man was given personal responsibility to be a Man. And every Rosh Hashanah holiday is a reminder to him of this.
Forerunner of Yom Kippur (Judgment Day)
The establishment of Tishrei 1 as a religious new year, according to the teachers of the law, is also due to the fact that on this day God judges the whole world. These days, the Jewish tradition teaches, He writes in the Book of Life the main events that will happen to people in the coming year. The worship service for this holiday is dominated by the motives of introspection and repentance. Nevertheless, the sincere belief that the Lord wishes goodness and prosperity to everyone turns this day into a holiday. From this day, ten days of prayer and repentance begin - “YamIm NoraIm” (“days of trembling” or “days of repentance”), ending with Yom Kippur - the day of forgiveness and atonement. We have 10 days to think about our actions, correct our mistakes, and repent. Divine services on these days are designed to influence the decision of the Creator. Only after Yom Kippur is the Divine verdict confirmed - “sealed.” Delicious dishes and elegant clothes do not express fun, but hope in the mercy of God, who loves and pities His children and desires their justification at judgment. At the same time, Rosh Hashanah is distinguished by a special atmosphere of seriousness and anxiety.
“Tashlikh” – throwing sins into water
The words of the prophet Micah: “He will again have mercy on us, he will blot out our iniquities. You will throw all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19) formed the basis of the ritual “tashlikh” (“throwing away”).
After noon on the first day of Rosh Hashanah (or on the second, if the first day falls on Saturday), Jews gather near a river, stream, spring or sea, shake the tails of their clothes, “shaking out” sins, and recite the above verse, as well as other accepted ones. in this situation, texts and penitential hymns and prayers.
The ritual is performed near water, which, according to Kabbalah, symbolizes mercy, preferably near a pond where there are fish, symbolizing fertility, vitality and the “ever-looking eye.” The tashlikh rite in itself does not purify a person, but symbolizes his intention to strengthen himself on the path of repentance in the coming year.
How we congratulate, how we celebrate
The easiest way to wish a happy Jewish New Year, which does not require knowledge of Hebrew, is to say “shanA tova” (“good year”). If your friends speak Yiddish, they will be pleased with the greeting “a gut yor,” which means the same thing.
After the Maariv prayer on the first evening of Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to greet each other with the wish to be inscribed in the Book of Life: “le-Shana Tova TikatEvu ve-tehatEmu” (“May you be written down for a good year, and may this entry be sealed "). On this day they give gifts and send congratulations to those who are far away. The family gathers around the table, which is decorated with traditional holiday dishes.
What do we eat
In an effort to bring joy and happiness into their home, they eat apples with honey and various sweets on Rosh Hashanah. Also on the table are fish dishes - a symbol of fertility and reproduction; the ram’s head is a symbol of dominance, “so that we may be the head and not the tail”; pomegranate - “so that our merits become as numerous as the seeds in a pomegranate”; carrot circles resembling gold coins; many other vegetables and fruits - as a sign of hope for a bountiful harvest. At the beginning of the holiday meal, it is customary to dip the bread (usually round sweet challah with raisins), over which the blessing was recited, in honey so that the coming year will be sweet. There is also a custom of eating apples with honey, saying: “May it be Your will, God of our fathers, to give us a good and sweet year.”
Sour, bitter and spicy foods are not accepted. Nuts are not eaten on Rosh Hashanah because the gematria (numerical value) of the letters of this word in Hebrew is equal to the gematria of the word “sin.”
Features of holiday prayers and blessings
The collection of Jewish holiday prayers is called “machzOr” (circulation, cycle). Among the prayers for Rosh Hashanah there are ordinary ones that are also read on other days, for example, “Shema, Yisrael” and “Amidah,” the text of which is modified in accordance with the holiday. But the bulk of the prayer book consists of “piyuts”—poetic works written by various Jewish authors over the past 2,000 years.
The prayers recited on Rosh Hashanah contain ten Jewish texts that mention God as king, ten texts that mention God as remembering everything, and ten texts that mention the shofar (a specially prepared ram's horn) - one of the main attributes of the Rosh Hashanah celebration. -Shana: it is blown during morning prayers.
Blowing the shofar
One of the biblical names for Rosh Hashanah is “the day of the sound of trumpets.” The most important commandment of the holiday is to listen to the blowing of the shofar (directly, and not as a sound transmitted electronically), which symbolizes the coronation of the Almighty as the Ruler of the universe.
The voice of the shofar, similar to the cry of a child, symbolizes the cry of the soul coming from the depths of the heart, addressed to the heavenly Father, awakening a person to teshuvah (repentance). It is customary to listen to the sound of the shofar while standing. Between the recitation of the blessings and until the last series of trumpets, during the repetition of the Musaf prayer by the chazan, it is forbidden to say anything that does not relate to prayer or to the fulfillment of the mitzvah of the shofar.
The sounds of the shofar unite all Jews into a single people standing before God in judgment. It unites not only those people who are alive now, but also all past and future generations. The shofar is a reminder of the ram that Abraham sacrificed in place of his son Isaac. Our generation on its own may not have survived the trial, but our ancestors and our descendants protect us, and we turn to God with the words: “Remember the merits of the forefathers - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - and show us mercy for the sake of we bear Your Name, and for the sake of Your righteous Moshiach.” Thus, the shofar helps us to stand at the Judgment, awakens our inner strength and gives us protection.
The exact time of the beginning of the holiday and the end of Shabbat
On the eve of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to light candles. At the same time, two blessings are said:
“BarUkh ata adonai elohEinu melech ha-olam asher kidshanu be-mitzvotav ve-tzivanu lehadlik ner shel yom ha-zikaron. AmEn” (“Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the candle of Remembrance Day. Amen”)
“BarUkh atA adonai elohEinu mElech ha-olAm she-hehyYanu ve-kiymanu ve-higiAnu la-zman ha-ze. AmEn" (“Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has allowed us to live up to this time. Amen”)
The time for lighting holiday candles and the end of Shabbat on September 20/23 in Moscow is 18.16/the end is 19.21.
Israel is an ancient and multinational state that is attractive not only for its history, but also for its traditions. Although Judaism is widespread in most of the country, nevertheless, both pilgrims and tourists love to visit Israel on the eve of the New Year holidays.
European Christmas
The most visited city in Israel on the eve of Christmas is Bethlehem, or as it is also called, Bethlehem, which is located on the west bank of the Jordan River. The city is famous for its oldest temple, which was built in the Holy Land back in the 6th century AD. It is here that the traditional Christmas service is held annually, with which the New Year and Christmas begin to be celebrated. At the same time, everyone can attend the service, regardless of religion. On Christmas Eve, Beth Lechem itself is transformed. The city is permeated with bright illumination, garlands, fluffy fir trees and festive illustrations. Of course, Christmas in Bethlehem begins with a festive service, which takes place both in the Upper Cathedral Church and in the Cave of the Nativity. It is noteworthy that the Christmas service is held in several languages at once.
And although Israel is a country where it is not customary to celebrate the European New Year, after church services the Russian diaspora holds festive processions, street fairs and religious processions. Christians celebrate the New Year with family and friends, but Arabs celebrate with loud fireworks, cheerful Arabic music and a festive feast.
In a Muslim country, it is not customary to celebrate New Year and Christmas at the state level, so the holidays are not considered days off.
Jewish New Year
The Muslim part of the Israeli population celebrates the New Year, or Rosh Hashanah as it is called, in September. The holiday is dedicated not only to the coming of the new year, but also to the creation of the world. Rosh Hashanah, unlike the European New Year, is usually celebrated at the state level. The main preparation for the holiday is a kind of cleansing, analysis of past actions and decisions. According to tradition, the festive table should symbolize the best wishes, so for the Jewish New Year it is customary to prepare dishes from carrots, apples or beets, fish and pomegranates. According to legend, a pomegranate contains as many grains as there are commandments in Judaism, so this particular fruit should be included in the holiday menu. Another lovely New Year's tradition is to eat bread over which the Benediction has been read, dipping it in honey - the main symbol of the “sweet life”.
In addition, it should be noted that Rosh Hashanah symbolizes the beginning of the so-called “days of awe,” which end with the day of forgiveness and atonement. The “Days of Trembling” last for one decade. This time is necessary for believers to comprehend all the mistakes they have made and repent. The belief says that during this period a Divine decision is made, which will influence the fate of a person in the coming year.
Another tradition of New Year's cleansing is to ask for forgiveness from friends and loved ones, and also wish each other to be included in the Book of Life. On the days of Rosh Hashanah, holiday services are held throughout the country, since during this period
In Israel, the New Year has three celebration dates. European New Year falls on the night of December 31st to January 1st. Residents of Israel do not widely celebrate this holiday. On a larger scale, they celebrate the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), which takes place on the new moon of the autumn month of Tishrei according to the Jewish calendar (falls in September or October). On the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat, Tu Bishvat is celebrated - the New Year of Trees, which glorifies their fertility.
New Year January 1
The traditions of celebrating the European New Year are widespread among the diaspora of immigrants from the CIS countries, Russian-speaking tourists, and some indigenous residents of the Christian faith.
The spirit of the holiday can be felt in large cities - Tel Aviv, Haifa, Netanya. In the historical center of Tel Aviv - Old Jaffa - on the eve of the celebration, decorated Christmas trees and New Year's markets appear in the squares, where you can buy toys, decorations, souvenirs, and gifts.
Native Israelis respect the traditions of the diasporas who live in the country. On New Year's Eve, the President's address is broadcast on TV. For the holidays, stores are filled with delicacies and offer discounts and sales.
Residents of the country who celebrate the New Year on January 1 spend it at a gala dinner with family or friends, and go to bars or restaurants. At midnight, as the chimes strike, they uncork a bottle of champagne, make a wish and congratulate each other. Then they start having fun to the music. Partying until the morning is not common in Israel, since January 1 is a working day in this country.
During the winter holidays, the streets and squares of large cities are decorated with New Year's trees (in Israel, the usual spruce and pine trees are replaced by araucaria) and shimmering garlands. The windows of shopping centers are decorated with festive compositions. Merry men dressed as Santa Clauses walk along the busy streets.
People from the countries of the former Soviet Union are preparing for the New Year in advance. They decorate their homes and buy delicacies from stores for the holiday table. On the New Year's menu you can see various appetizers, salads, pancakes, and cold cuts. Families often gather in the yard and barbecue. Popular alcoholic beverages include wine, champagne, and beer.
Traditionally, Father Frost brings gifts to children with his companion, Snegurochka. They leave them under the tree. Children write letters to them in advance, in which they tell them about their desires and dreams. Adults give each other symbolic souvenirs, expensive alcohol, household appliances, and jewelry.
Cities and resorts
New Year's holidays in Israel will be held in a special atmosphere of warmth and comfort.
You can have a fun and bright winter holiday in large cities: Tel Aviv, Haifa, Netanya, Herzliya, Eilat, Bat Yam. They contain entertainment venues, bars and restaurants for Russian-speaking residents and guests of the country. On New Year's Eve you can enjoy performances by popular musical groups, classical music ensembles, local and foreign DJs. For children's audiences, matinees are held with the participation of Father Frost, the Snow Maiden, fairy-tale characters, competitions and gifts.
During the New Year holidays, pilgrimage tours are popular among tourists, which include visits to holy places, ancient monasteries and temples. For Russian-speaking pilgrims, the tour begins with the Russian Spiritual Mission, which officially represents the Russian Orthodox Church in Israel. Next they visit holy places in Jerusalem, Tiberias, Haifa, Netanya, Jaffa, Lydda, Nazareth. The most visited shrines in Jerusalem are the Mount of Olives, the Temple of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives, the Monastery of Olives, the tomb of the Mother of God, the tomb of King David, the Garden of Gethsemane, Mount Zion, the temple of St. Mary Magdalene.
An exotic holiday in Israel will be a holiday in agricultural communes - kibbutzim. In them, travelers will be able to get acquainted with the traditions and customs of the indigenous population, take part in harvesting, visit cowsheds and sheep pens, and watch the process of making olive oil.
The city of Ein Bokek, which is located on the coast of the Dead Sea, offers visitors a spa holiday. The resort has 15 hotels and clinics where you can undergo medical consultations, rehabilitation treatment and spa treatments. The air on the Dead Sea coast contains an optimal concentration of bromine, which is suitable for natural climatotherapy.
The resort of Eilat, which is located on the Red Sea coast and separated from the rest of Israel by the Negev Desert, enjoys year-round popularity among tourists. Here is the Coral Coast Nature Reserve, an ideal place for diving. Children and adults will be interested in visiting the dolphinarium, oceanarium and underwater observatory. The observatory is located at a depth of 6 meters and has an observation deck where you can observe the marine life of the reefs in natural conditions. Extreme lovers will enjoy a jeep safari in the desert, rock climbing, mountain biking and ATV riding.