Residents mark New Year ‘Rosh Hashana’ with traditional zeal

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

Some 15.2 million Jews worldwide with 27,000 residing in the 21-country Arab World and 1,000 across the six Gulf states shall be celebrating their New Year known as “Rosh Hashana” which began evening of Sept. 6 (Monday) until evening of Sept. 8 (Wednesday), and referred to biblically as the ancient “Yom Teruah” holiday or “Day of Shouting or Day of Blasting.”

On the eve or on Sunday, Jewish Council of the Emirates (JCE) senior rabbi Dr. Ellie Abadie, JCE co-founder/cantor Alex Peterfreund, and Bahrain’s Jewish Community president Ebrahim Nonoo expressed their wishes through Gulf Today, including the success of the just-around-the-corner Expo2020Dubai wherein Israel, home to 6.93 million Jews, will be featuring a huge open tent designed for learning and rest.

On Sunday, Abadie explained as well the background of the “Rosh Hashana,” which, according to history.com website is a “subdued and contemplative holiday.” Its symbol is the ancient musical wind instrument called shofar, typically fashioned out of the horn of a ram, blown to call for prayers at the synagogue.

From the myjewishlearning.com, the blowing of the shofar is a “reminder for us to look inward and repent for the sins of the past year…the story of the binding of Isaac (that) calls to mind the image of the ram stuck in the bush that Abraham ultimately sacrificed instead of his son-reflecting our own sometimes difficult parent-child relationship with God.”

Though it is said that the “Rosh Hashana” has biblical roots known as “Yom Teruah” and basically the observance of God’s creation of the world and the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, Abadieh claimed that the New Year, among the holiest days in Judaism, “is not mentioned in the Torah.” The Torah are the first five books of the Old Testament of the Holy Bible attributable to Moses who led the thousands of descendants of Joseph and his 11 other brothers out of bondage and slavery in Egypt.

“Rosh Hashana literally means ‘Head of the Year.’ It appears once in (the Book of the) Prophet Ezekiel. In the Midrash or the Homileth Writings of the Sages, it is said to be the ‘Day of the Creation.’ The day when Adam was created,” continued Abadie, adding that the Jewish New Year is associated with the “Day of Judgement.”

He furtherly said: “It is also the ‘Day of Judgement’ as the universe was created according to law and order and that humankind must act accordingly. There is a righteous judgement and it is (man’s duty) to behave in a manner that will repair society so that the law and order demanded is maintained.”

Saying that it is the “Almighty that determines the fate (of every person) in the coming new year, Abadie added one’s action definitely has consequences and impacts everyone.

In behalf of the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities, Abadie expressed his wishes of “Shana Tova-a good, happy and sweet new year” to all Jews.” around the world.

There are six million Jews in the USA, 446,000 in France, 393,500 in Canada, 292,000 in Great Britain, 175,000 in Argentina, 150,000 in Russia, 118,000 each in Germany and Australia, 14,500 in Turkey, 9,500 in Iran, 2,000 in Morocco, 1,000 in Tunisia, and 500 in the Philippines.

“We are looking forward to the Israel participation at Expo2020Dubai. We are honoured to be part of it as we celebrate all that the (UAE) has to offer. It is an opportunity for all nations of the world to work together for the betterment of humanity and toward the goal of peace and co-existence,” Abadie said.

From Peterfreund: “My wish for our Jewish Community in the UAE and for the Middle East more broadly is that we continue working together, hand-in-hand to propel our region forward, whether through business, cultural or socially. We have had opportunities to welcome our Muslim neighbours and friends to our holiday and Sabbath meals and services. We have been invited in their Iftars and Suhoors. I hope we will have more inter-faith gatherings (in the coming years).”

Nonoo said: “My hope is that as more people are vaccinated and as direct flights start, we will be able to host more Israeli tourists and business people here in Bahrain. In turn, more Bahrainis will be able to visit Israel both as tourists and for potential business opportunities.”