Reflecting on the High Holidays in Jerusalem

For the past few weeks, here in Jerusalem, the sound of the shofar (ram's horn) has been heard from homes and synagogues, heralding the approach of the High Holy Days.
Since ancient times the shofar has been blown to gather the Jewish people; for war, for repentance, for celebration. It has a language of its own, each blast and trill having a specific meaning. It is a reminder that the '10 days of Awe' between New Year and Yom Kippur, the most solemn fast day in the Jewish calendar, are upon us. It is believed that on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) one's fate is sealed for the coming year, so every effort must be made to get right with man and God, the Great Judge and Ruler of the universe.
It is a season of change, the end of summer. The dry heat is less scorching, evenings are becoming cooler with the promise of the approach of much needed winter rains. In this desert land where rain is a blessing, people were delighted with early rain showers on New Year's Day. Hopefully this was a good sign, that the Almighty looks favourably upon His people and will bless them with peace, health and prosperity in the coming year.
This year Yom Kippur eve fell on a Sunday. In the morning I attended my congregation. We thanked the Lord that Yeshua (Jesus) made atonement for all mankind when he gave His life to be crucified and we prayed especially for the nation and for eyes to be opened, including our own, at the enormity of this wonderful gift of grace.


As sundown approaches the fast begins. People, many clad in white, including family groups with youngsters and babes in strollers, walk to nearby synagogues for evening prayers. An unusual hush falls upon the city as the streets clear of traffic as public and private transport cease. It is not forbidden by law to drive, but stones may be thrown at your vehicle by the devout. Only the occasional ambulance is seen on the road and it has been known for stones to be thrown at these too.
However, this is the time that the children have been waiting for as they take to the empty roads and highways on bicycles, skateboards and roller skates.
In the hospital where I work doctors are busy day and night tending cuts and bruises that the youngsters sustain when they fall off! The Maternity department is busy too. Children, the sick and pregnant women are not required to fast but some choose to do so, often triggering labour pains.
Today the hospital is manned as much as possible by those who are not fasting. Non Jewish, usually Arab staff, volunteer to work so that their Jewish colleagues can spend the day in prayer and fasting.
At sundown the following day, the hospital rabbi, clothed in his traditional white gown, ends the service in the hospital synagogue by blasts from the shofar before sounding it in every department. The fast is broken with cake, cookies or salty biscuits and people wish each other a good inscription in the heavenly Book of Life.
Yom Kippur is over for another year, traffic once again roars in the streets. Almost immediately, sounds of banging and drilling are heard, sometimes deep into the night hours, as booths are being constructed in gardens and on balconies for the next feast, Tabernacles. This is a reminder that the children of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years and dwelt in booths, but surely Moses didn't have a Black and Decker electric drill!