Jewish Festivals

It is also a time of judgement. Jews traditionally believe that God considers their deeds over the past year. The image of being written in the Book of Life expresses their hope for a good year. Judgement begins at Rosh Hashanah and is understood to be sealed at Yom Kippur.

This makes the new year a serious opportunity for change, not simply a celebration. Rosh Hashanah begins the Ten Days of Repentance, which end with Yom Kippur. Repentance means recognising wrongdoing, turning away from it and committing to behave differently. Jews reflect on their actions, seek forgiveness from people they have hurt and may give to charity or make amends.

At synagogue, the shofar, a ram's horn, is sounded as a call to repentance. Its striking sound encourages worshippers to pay attention to their conduct. At home, apples dipped in honey express hope for a sweet new year, while a round challah loaf symbolises the cycle of the year.

Some Jews also observe Tashlich, praying beside flowing water and symbolically casting away their sins. These actions express a desire to change; they do not replace the responsibility to repair harm done to others.

Yom Kippur: seeking forgiveness and restoring relationships

Yom Kippur means the Day of Atonement. Atonement concerns making amends and restoring a damaged relationship, especially the relationship with God. It is regarded as the holiest day in the Jewish year and brings the Ten Days of Repentance to their conclusion.

Its biblical basis lies in the Torah's commands concerning the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 16:30 states: “On this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you.” Leviticus 23:27 also calls for self-denial. These teachings connect the festival with cleansing from sin and renewing one's relationship with God.

Many Jews fast from food and drink for about 25 hours, from before sunset until nightfall the following day. Those who are ill or vulnerable are exempt from fasting. Traditional observance also involves avoiding washing for pleasure, perfume, leather shoes and sexual relations. Setting aside physical comforts helps worshippers concentrate on repentance rather than ordinary routines.

Much of the day is spent at synagogue in prayer and confession. White clothing and white coverings for Torah scrolls symbolise purity. The story of Jonah is read, reminding worshippers of God's willingness to forgive those who repent sincerely.

The closing service, Neilah, expresses the urgency of seeking forgiveness before the symbolic closing of the gates of heaven. A final shofar blast marks the end of the fast.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur belong together: the first begins reflection and the second brings it to a climax. Seeking God's forgiveness is connected with seeking forgiveness from other people, so the festivals can encourage real changes in relationships and behaviour.

Pesach: remembering liberation from Egypt

Pesach, or Passover, remembers the Israelites' release from slavery in Egypt. Its origins are narrated in Exodus. According to this account, Moses asked Pharaoh to release the Israelites, but Pharaoh refused and God sent plagues upon Egypt.

Before the final plague, the death of the firstborn, the Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with lamb's blood. Their homes were passed over and their firstborn were spared. This gives Passover its name. Pharaoh then allowed the Israelites to leave, and Moses led them out of slavery.

For Jews, the story shows God's power and care for their ancestors. Celebrating it also fulfils a commandment: Exodus 12:14 describes the day as a festival to be kept “for all generations”. Pesach therefore joins remembrance with obedience to God.

The Seder makes the story memorable

Before Pesach, observant Jews clean their homes and remove chametz, leavened grain foods. During the festival they eat matzah, unleavened bread. This recalls the hurried departure from Egypt, when there was no time for bread to rise.

The Seder is a ritual meal at which the Exodus story is retold using the Haggadah. Its symbolic foods allow participants to encounter the story through taste as well as words.

Bitter herbs recall the bitterness of slavery. A green vegetable dipped in salt water recalls the slaves' tears. Charoset, a sweet mixture commonly made with fruit, nuts and wine, represents the mortar used in forced building work. A lamb bone recalls the sacrificed lamb, while an egg symbolises new life. Matzah recalls the hurried journey to freedom.

Four cups of wine are drunk during the Seder, expressing joy, and a separate cup is set aside for Elijah, associated with the announcement of the Messiah's coming. Synagogue prayers and Torah readings also form part of Pesach observance.

Retelling the story helps younger generations understand their heritage. Remembering slavery can also encourage Jews to consider people who are oppressed or denied freedom today, making the festival relevant beyond the ancient event.

Why these festivals matter in Great Britain today

For religiously observant Jews, festivals are important because they fulfil God's commandments and renew their relationship with God. Shared worship also strengthens synagogue communities. Home celebrations, especially the Seder, bring religious teaching into family life and help preserve Jewish identity within Britain's diverse society.

Observance is not identical across Jewish communities or individuals. Some place particular emphasis on detailed traditional practices, while others attach greater importance to the festivals' ethical lessons, family gatherings or cultural identity. For example, some Orthodox Jews practise the additional pre-Yom Kippur ritual of Kapparah; this is not a practice of all Jews. Differences in observance do not necessarily mean that a festival has no importance to someone.

There are good reasons for different judgements about which festival matters most. Yom Kippur may be considered most important because of its holiness and focus on forgiveness. Rosh Hashanah is essential preparation for that renewal and celebrates creation. Pesach preserves the story of liberation, fulfils a Torah command and teaches the value of freedom. Alternatively, their different purposes may make them complementary rather than rivals.

• Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year; commemorates creation and divine judgement. Begins the Ten Days of Repentance.
• Practices: shofar → repentance; apples and honey → sweet new year; round challah → yearly cycle; reflection and making amends.
• Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement; holiest day; concludes the repentance period. God's judgement is traditionally understood to be sealed.
• Practices: approximately 25-hour fast, with exemptions for illness or vulnerability; prayer, confession, white clothing; Neilah and final shofar blast.
• Teaching: Leviticus 16:30 links atonement with cleansing from sin; Leviticus 23:27 calls for self-denial.

Pesach

• Origin: Exodus from Egyptian slavery under Moses. Marked homes were passed over during the final plague.
• Meaning: liberation, God's protection and obedience to the command to remember “for all generations” — Exodus 12:14.
• Practices: remove chametz; eat matzah; retell Exodus through the Haggadah at the Seder.
• Symbols: bitter herbs → slavery; salt water → tears; charoset → mortar; lamb bone → sacrifice; egg → new life; matzah → hurried departure.

Importance today

• Renew faith and encourage repentance, forgiveness and ethical action.
• Strengthen family and synagogue relationships; transmit Jewish identity.
• Pesach encourages concern for people denied freedom.
• Observance and personal priorities vary: holiness and forgiveness favour Yom Kippur; creation and preparation favour Rosh Hashanah; liberation and transmission favour Pesach.