High Holy Days Primer
Mistakes? I’ve made a few. Some—like typos—are innocent and easily remedied. Others—like offenses against moral beliefs—invite penance. Religions concur on the need for penance in our lives, though they may differ on the means. Rabbi G. of Laguna’s Chabad Jewish Center reminds that the High Holy Days of Judaism—a time for considering our ways—are fast approaching.
Rosh Hashanah begins this Sunday at sundown. Known as the Jewish New Year, it’s a time for enjoying sweets, symbolic of good things hoped for in the coming year, and blowing of the ram’s horn, known as the shofar. It’s also a time for the symbolic casting away of sins into open water. The two days of Rosh Hashanah also celebrate the creation of the Biblical Adam and Eve.
The next holiday, Yom Kippur, begins Oct. 8 with sundown. Considered the holiest day of the year in Judaism, it is a time of fasting and prayer. The objective is purification through repentance and atonement. Yom Kippur, by tradition, also celebrates the descent of Moses from Mount Sanai with the Ten Commandments after 40 days.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, with the included days, comprise the 10 High Holy Days, known in Judaism as the “Days of Awe.” The 30 days preceding Rosh Hashanah, especially the last 12, one for each month, are a time for taking stock of one’s actions over the prior year. The High Holy Days combined with the 30 days of introspection are symbolic of Moses’ 40 days with the Lord on Mount Sanai.
It’s a custom to read Psalm 27 twice daily during this period. The psalm begins, in the translation I use, with the declaration, “The Lord is my light and my salvation . . .” and includes the desire to “dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” Laguna is blessed with many such houses—our synagogue and churches.
I’m moved by this annual 40-day Judaic emphasis on self-improvement. It’s one of many gifts of Judaism to our world. The process of pondering, penitence, and purification resonates with meaning. We can all become better, and our society needs us to be better if our great nation is to survive. On a personal level, the Beautiful Wife would greatly appreciate certain improvements in my behavior. I’m going to follow Rabbi G’s guidance and do my best during the High Holy Days. There’s meaning in that.
Skip fell in love with Laguna on a ‘50s surfing trip. He’s a student of Laguna history and the author of “Loving Laguna: A Local’s Guide to Laguna Beach.” Email: [email protected]
Places to worship (all on Sunday, unless noted):
Baha’i’s of Laguna Beach—contact [email protected] for events and meetings.
Calvary Chapel Seaside, 21540 Wesley Drive (Lang Park Community Center), 10:30 a.m.
Chabad Jewish Center, 30804 S. Coast Hwy, Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m., Sun. 8 a.m.
Church by the Sea, 468 Legion St., 9 & 10:45 a.m.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 682 Park Ave., 10 a.m.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, 635 High Dr., 10 a.m.
ISKCON (Hare Krishna), 285 Legion St., 5 p.m., with 6:45 feast.
Jehovah’s Witnesses, 20912 Laguna Canyon Rd., 1:00 p.m.
Laguna Beach Net-Works, 286 St. Ann’s Dr., 10 a.m.
Laguna Presbyterian, 415 Forest Ave., 8:30 & 10 a.m.
Neighborhood Congregational Church (UCC), 340 St. Ann’s Drive, 10 a.m.
United Methodist Church, 21632 Wesley, 10 a.m.
St. Catherine of Siena (Catholic), 1042 Temple Terrace, Sunday 7:30, 9, 11, 1:30 p.m. (Spanish). Saturday: 4 pm Reconciliation, 5:30 Mass.
St. Francis by the Sea (American Catholic), 430 Park, 9:30 a.m.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 428 Park Ave., 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
Unitarian Universalist, 429 Cypress St., 10:30 a.m.
