I do feel that it is important to learn about other religions as much as possible. Until 8 years ago, I had no idea that Christianity was not the only religion. I was not brought up extremely religious, but it was my understanding that you were either Christian or you weren’t. In schools, we are not brought up like much of the rest of the world. Children across the globe are taught other languages and about other cultures from a very early age. They are preparing for a competitive edge in the global economy…for the international relations that are inevitable in today’s world.
Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan become a topic in this podcast because of their occurrence last week. Now, I will admit to you that until I began doing research for this episode, I thought that Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan were both Islamic observances. On the contrary, Rosh Hashanah is in fact the celebration of the Jewish New Year. This year, it began at sundown on September 22nd and lasted for two days.
This holiday is the first of the “Days of Awe” the most solemn days of the Jewish year. These Days of Awe are preceded by the month of Elul…during which Jewish practitioners are supposed to begin a self-examination and repentance. This process culminates in The Ten Days of Repentance, beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with the holiday of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur…the day of atonements…begins on at the sundown of October 1st this year.
According to Wikipedia.org, In traditional Jewish communities, this holiday is characterized by the blowing of a trumpet made from a ram’s horn…or a shofar. The sound of the shofar is intended to awaken the listeners from their “slumber” and alert them to the coming judgment. In the period leading up to the “Days of Awe” many penitential prayers are recited, and on Rosh Hashanah itself religious poems are added to the regular services.
Rosh Hashanah meals often include apples and honey, to symbolize a “sweet new year”. Various other foods with a symbolic meaning may be served, depending on local custom. Other traditional foods include dates, black-eyed beans, leek, spinach and gourds. Pomegranates are also apart of many customs.
—Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is considered the most blessed and holiest month. Prayers, fasting, self-accountability and charity have special association with Ramadan. The religious observances of Ramadan occur throughout the entire Islamic calendar month.
Muslims believe that during Ramadan, the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad began. The entire month is spent fasting from dawn to dusk. Eating, drinking, sex, and smoking are not allowed between dawn, and sunset. During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, sarcasm, as well as by refrain from gambling and gossip. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is an act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast is supposed to bring on a comfortable feeling of peace and calm.
Fasting during Ramadan is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would be excessively problematic…such as children, pregnant women, those with medical problems, and the elderly.
The first day of the next month is spent in great celebrations and is observed as the ‘Festival of Breaking Fast’ Ramadan concludes on October 23rd.
