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High Holidays

Selichot
Selichot is a time of reflection leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It is a time for asking people for forgiveness and reciting penitential prayers. This mood of repentance builds through the month of Elul to the period of Selichot, to Rosh Hashanah, and finally to Yom Kippur. At Temple Emanuel, we begin our observance of the High Holy Day season with a meaningful Selichot service.

Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. It is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year. High Holiday Services continue with Temple services on Erev Rosh Hashanah and Rosh Hashanah morning.

Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. It is a day set aside to atone for the sins of the past year. On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered is sealed. This day is, essentially, a last appeal, a last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate repentance and make amends.

Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and G-d, not for sins against another person. To atone for sins against another person, one must first seek reconciliation with that person, righting the wrongs committed against them if possible. That must all be done before Yom Kippur. Additionally, Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath; no work can be performed on that day, and you are supposed to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur.

At Temple Emanuel, we gather for a moving Kol Nidre service on Erev Yom Kippur, followed with daylong worship, including morning, children's, afternoon, Yizkor, and concluding services. In addition, there is a study session on a spiritual topic between services on Yom Kippur afternoon. On this day of fasting, each Congregant is requested to make a charitable donation of 10 pounds of food per person; the donated food is collected and weighed by SCOTTY, our Temple youth group, and then delivered to RAM (Roanoke Area Ministries) to provide lunches for homeless people in our area. Our Sisterhood provides our Break-the-Fast meal after the concluding service.

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784