Definitions

A while back, I read an article that said that Rosh Hashannah conists of just as much praying as it does eating. However, it depends on where in the world you are and what denomination of Judaism you are.

In the United States, Rosh Hashannah consists of going to synagogue, eating, and seeing family. If I am in the US during the holiday, my family goes to Erev Rosh Hashanna services and then eats a dinner of sweet foods to bring in the new year. The next two days are going to synagogue, eating a big lunch, and then seeing cousins. If Rosh Hashannah falls on a weekday, I take the day off from school and make up the work later. For, while I am observing the Jewish holiday, the rest of the world is going on about their business.

In Israel, my experience has been different every time. This time, I went to someone's house for the evening meal. Like last year, there was a small seder to bless certain foods such as pomegranate seeds, dates, and peas. However, unlike last year, the family said the prayers, ate, and moved onto the next blessing before everyone had received their share. The next morning, I went to services at an orthodox Sephardic synagogue. The lady I sat next to knew immediately that I was not a native because it took me two tries to get the right Machzor (prayer book used to Rosh Hashannah) and still did not succeed. So, she let me look on with her. Afterwards, I went on a hike at Ben Guvrin where there are multiple Byzantic caves to walk through. That night, there was no big meal and no family came over, which was very different for me. The next day, I went to the adventure park right outside Ramat Gan.

I am struggling with this, though. I did not feel this way when I went to the caves. Obviously G-d did not strike me down for not going to synagogue, but I felt like something was missing from the day. Maybe it's because I wasn't with my family. Or maybe because it didn't feel like Rosh Hashannah for me. There were families having barbecues in the park and cars filled the highway, but for me, this was just like Shabbat. I think part of it is that I have a certain expectation about Rosh Hashannah and certain prayers that I look forward to on this holiday. However, maybe because that was not fulfilled the feeling that something was missing evolved.

I hope to find that missing piece on Yom Kippur.

For now, here are some pictures