Jewish customs are associated with religious holidays. The people, who have suffered so much grief and hardship, know how not only to grieve and mourn, but also to rejoice.
The history of the Jewish people is closely related to religion. Holidays are dedicated to the events described in the sacred books. Certain customs are associated with them.
In Israel, four New Years are celebrated, and all are not January 1st. The beginning of each month and the last day of the week, according to tradition, are also holidays. Everything happens according to Jewish customs.
Festive saturday
Shabbat is a time of relaxation, a time for family and friendship. No one works on Saturday, not even the animals.
On Shabbat, you cannot turn on the lights; on Friday evening, a woman lights candles. They are placed on the festive table. Before the meal, prayers are read over wine and bread. Wine is poured out to everyone present.
On Friday, cholent is prepared - a dish of beans or beans with meat and spices. Before serving, the dish stands in the oven all the time, which makes it especially tasty. They eat stuffed fish on Saturday.
Holidays and customs
On New Years, which Jews begin to celebrate in September - October, it is customary to think about what they have lived, about their attitude towards others and towards God. This is a time of remorse and good intentions.
Usually symbolic meals are eaten. Apples with honey to make the new year generous and sweet. A fish head to be a head. Pomegranate, so that merits become as numerous as pomegranate seeds.
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year. For twenty-five hours, Jewish believers fast, do not wash, do not wear leather shoes. They pray in the synagogue. The Day of Atonement ends with the lingering sound of a ram's horn - shofar.
Hanukkah in November - December in Israel. When evening comes, lamps (hanukie) are lit above the entrance to the house or on the windowsill. Every day, a new light is added until there are eight of them.
According to custom, donuts and potato pancakes are prepared at this time. The children are on vacation.
The most cheerful holiday - Purim - is celebrated at the end of February. They arrange carnivals, dance, have fun. On the festive table are sweets, wines, cakes and the main Purim dish - ghentashen (triangular pies with poppy seeds and raisins).
In March - April, the Jews have Passover (Passover). They prepare for the holiday in advance: all the fermented dough dishes are taken out of the house. Matzah (unleavened cakes) is served on the table, which is eaten for seven days.
Weddings and funerals
A wedding in Israel is called Kidushin, which means dedication. The bride devotes herself to the groom. The wedding is usually celebrated in the fresh air. A special canopy - hula - is held over the heads of the bride and groom. It symbolizes their common home. Guests and hosts feast for seven days.
The funeral procedure used to be very complicated. Furniture was taken out of the deceased's house. The neighbors poured out all the water. And relatives tore at their clothes. Now they just read prayers, over the deceased and in the synagogue, and make an incision on the lapel. Jews do not bring flowers to the cemetery. According to custom, a pebble is placed on the grave.
