The Days of Awe are almost upon us. I want to share some practices of the season that may enrich your experience during this special time.
Selichot – Selichot is a special service that comes on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe. We will mark Selichot at TBH with a potluck dinner at 6:30 PM, followed by a study session at 7:45’ish on some rabbinic texts that explore forgiving others and self-forgiveness. At 9:00 PM we will have our Selichot service with special penitential prayers. I hope you will join us.
Memory and Memorial – Most of us are aware of the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur afternoon where we remember family members and those we have loved throughout our lives and are no longer with us. But there are two other traditions of memorial particular to the High Holy Days that have deep meaning and value. The first is Kever Avot, literally the graves of our ancestors. This is the practice of visiting the graves of our parents (or those who raised us) prior to the start of the High Holy Days. It is an opportunity to reconnect and remember the values they taught us and the examples they set in their lives. The second is lighting a yahrzeit candle on Yom Kippur before leaving for the synagogue or lighting candles on Kol Nidre evening. The candles burn for 25 hours and, as with Kever Avot, evoke the memories of our loved ones who are no longer with us. Yahrzeit candles can be purchased at the TBH gift shop and at many larger grocery stores.
I hope these practices will enrich your High Holy Days.
A Message from Rabbi Dean for the High Holy Days
September 27, 2024 by tbhrich •
The Days of Awe are almost upon us. I want to share some practices of the season that may enrich your experience during this special time.
Selichot – Selichot is a special service that comes on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe. We will mark Selichot at TBH with a potluck dinner at 6:30 PM, followed by a study session at 7:45’ish on some rabbinic texts that explore forgiving others and self-forgiveness. At 9:00 PM we will have our Selichot service with special penitential prayers. I hope you will join us.
Memory and Memorial – Most of us are aware of the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur afternoon where we remember family members and those we have loved throughout our lives and are no longer with us. But there are two other traditions of memorial particular to the High Holy Days that have deep meaning and value. The first is Kever Avot, literally the graves of our ancestors. This is the practice of visiting the graves of our parents (or those who raised us) prior to the start of the High Holy Days. It is an opportunity to reconnect and remember the values they taught us and the examples they set in their lives. The second is lighting a yahrzeit candle on Yom Kippur before leaving for the synagogue or lighting candles on Kol Nidre evening. The candles burn for 25 hours and, as with Kever Avot, evoke the memories of our loved ones who are no longer with us. Yahrzeit candles can be purchased at the TBH gift shop and at many larger grocery stores.
I hope these practices will enrich your High Holy Days.