Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot

Every autumn, Jewish communities keep three festivals close together. The first is a New Year that is also a day of judgement and hope. The second is the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year. The third is a week of joy in a temporary hut. Together they move from "have I fallen short?" to "thank you for everything".

Rosh Hashanah: the New Year

The Torah calls it a day of rest and horn-blowing:

In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest unto you, a memorial proclaimed with the blast of horns, a holy convocation.

Leviticus 23:24 · JPS 1917

In most communities outside Israel, Rosh Hashanah is kept for two days. The shofar, a ram's horn, is sounded in the synagogue as a wake-up call. Families eat round challah and dip apples in honey, hoping for a sweet year. On the first afternoon many walk to flowing water and shake out bread crumbs in a custom called tashlich, which stands for casting off sins (My Jewish Learning). It opens the ten Days of Awe, which end with Yom Kippur. In traditional Jewish thought these are days to say sorry to God and to each other.

Yom Kippur: the Day of Atonement

For on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins shall ye be clean before the LORD.

Leviticus 16:30 · JPS 1917

Yom Kippur is a fast of about twenty-five hours, from before sunset until nightfall the next day. Observant Jews do not eat or drink, and many also avoid bathing, wearing leather shoes and perfume. They spend most of the day in the synagogue, often in white. It is solemn, and it is not mournful: the day ends with a sense of release. The Hebrew Bible teaches that God delights in mercy:

Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth the iniquity ... He retaineth not His anger for ever, Because He delighteth in mercy.

Micah 7:18 · JPS 1917

Sukkot: the harvest hut

Ye shall dwell in booths seven days ... that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt

Leviticus 23:42-43 · JPS 1917

A sukkah is a temporary shelter with a roof of branches, open enough to see the stars. Jews eat, and some sleep, in it for the week. Rabbinic teaching links it to the clouds of glory that protected Israel in the desert, and to the lesson that life is temporary and everything belongs to God (Aish). People also take four species, a palm branch (lulav), myrtle, willow and a citron (etrog), bind them together and wave them in every direction. Tradition invites guests, the "ushpizin", to the hut: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David (peace be upon them), in an order that varies by custom (Zohar tradition).

Sukkot is a joyful time. The Torah says: "thou shalt be altogether joyful" (Deuteronomy 16:15, JPS 1917). It is the Jewish harvest festival, and has something in common with Harvest and thanksgiving in churches and with Muslim thanks for harvest (Qur'an 6:141). Sukkot lasts seven days, and Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah follow straight after.

What a neighbour sees

• A hut in a garden, a synagogue car park or a school yard. It may be decorated with fruit and children's pictures.
• The sound of the shofar if you live near a synagogue.
• Families walking to synagogue in their best clothes and, on Yom Kippur, in white.
• Shops with extra honey, round loaves and apples.
• On Yom Kippur, silence: no shop deliveries, no music, closed businesses in some areas.

What to say

My Jewish Learning and Reform Judaism both give these greetings. Sources differ about "chag sameach" on Yom Kippur: some say it is fine, others keep it for Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot, so on Yom Kippur use "g'mar chatima tovah" or "easy fast". Many Jewish neighbours will be happy with any warm greeting.

At work and school

• Dates. Festivals begin at sunset the evening before. In 2027, Rosh Hashanah begins on the evening of 1 October and runs for two days. Yom Kippur begins on the evening of 10 October and lasts until nightfall on 11 October. Sukkot begins on the evening of 15 October (Hebcal).
• Work. Observant Jews do not work on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur or the first days of Sukkot, nor on Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Work is permitted on the middle days of Sukkot. Many colleagues need to leave early the day before, especially for Yom Kippur. (Civil Service guide to Judaism.)
• Diaries. Check before you book exams, trips, launch events and sports fixtures. Ask about leave early. Agree how time will be made up.
• Catering. On Yom Kippur nobody will eat. At other times check kosher needs; some colleagues will not use shared crockery. Offer uncut fruit and plain tea in disposable cups.
• School. Pupils may be absent on these days, and many schools record religious observance as authorised absence. Avoid setting tests or deadlines on them.

Honest differences

Previous: Passover and Easter. Next: Christmas and Hanukkah. Further reading: Jewish festivals · Fasting across faiths.