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What are some of the rituals and traditions associated with Judaism holidays and how have they evolved over time?

Liliana MacConnel

Judaism has many holidays throughout the year that are celebrated with rituals and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. These holidays have evolved over time and have different meanings behind them.

One of the most important Jewish holidays is Passover, which celebrates the freedom of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. During Passover, it is traditional to have a Seder meal where the story of the Exodus is retold and the symbolic foods, like matzo and bitter herbs, are eaten. Many families also participate in non-religious traditions like hiding the afikoman, a piece of matzo, for children to find and exchange for a prize.

Another important holiday is Hanukkah, which commemorates the miracle of one day's worth of oil lasting for eight days in the Temple. Traditionally, a menorah with eight candles, plus one to light the others, is lit each night. Playing with a dreidel, a spinning top with Hebrew letters on it, is also a popular tradition during Hanukkah.

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism and is a day of atonement, where people seek forgiveness for their sins from the past year. It is traditional to fast for the entire day, attend services at the synagogue, and reflect on the past year.

Other holidays include Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, where a shofar, a ram's horn, is blown to symbolize the start of the new year, and Sukkot, where a temporary outdoor shelter called a sukkah is built and meals are eaten inside of it.

As time has gone on, the ways in which these holidays are celebrated may have changed, but the meanings behind them have remained the same. Families may have different customs or practices that they incorporate into their celebrations, but the overarching themes of remembrance, prayer, and gratitude remain at the core.