For most part of the world, a Holiday means time to celebrate, relax, enjoy or make merriment. A Jewish holiday however has a different connotation altogether. According to the Jewish religion, in most cases a holiday is time to liberate from work, observe religious tenets and be a true Jew. However, this should not be understood to mean that the Jewish people do not indulge in celebrations or enjoyment. The emphasis is on keeping alive the traditions of the Jewish religion inculcate a sense of belonging to the community and ensure regular celebration and reflection of the sacred. Therefore, opposed to the general English expression 'holiday' it would be befitting to look at the Jewish holiday as 'holy day'. A synopsis of some of the important Jewish holidays is furnished below:
The Sabbath
The Sabbath, which is a Jewish holiday, represents Saturday and the Jews are required to keep off work on that day. The Jewish perspective on Sabbath is more about rest and joyful celebrations than the rules accompanying the Jewish holiday.
Days of Awe
This is another Jewish holiday spread over 10 days commencing with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur. Occurring during the autumn, this is an important period under the Jewish religion. The Jewish society devotes this period for repentance, introspection and atonement of sins.
Hanukkah
This is by far a Jewish holiday which most non Jews are also familiar with. This Jewish holiday is very proximate to Christmas but should not be mistaken as a "Jewish Christmas". Historically, Hanukkah predates Christmas and is a different celebration altogether. Hanukkah is also a festival of lights according to the Jewish religion.
Passover, Purim, Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Sukkot, Tu B'Shevat, Yom Kippur are some of the other Jewish holiday.
The Jewish Religion
According to the History of Judaism, the origin of the Jewish religion goes back to some 4000 years. When we consider the monotheistic religions, the Jewish religion, Judaism is by far the oldest and they have always prayed to a single God perceived as the creator and eternal ruler of the Universe. The ancient scriptures of the Jewish religion hold that some 2000 years before Christ, the God of ancient Jews bequeathed a covenant through Abraham. Abraham thus became the first Patriarch. The book of Genesis has a detailed description of these events and is also the first book of Torah. Torah is the holy text for the Jewish religion.
Judaism, the Jewish religion is also considered the parent religion for both Islam and Christianity though the modern society may deny the claim. Nonetheless, the Jewish religion, Judaism is an Abrahamic religion, meaning a faith which holds Abraham as the Patriarch. Since Islam and Christianity too hold Abraham as the Patriarch, there evolves an undeniable connection.
The Interconnection Between A Jewish Holiday And Jewish Religion
As mentioned earlier, a Jewish holiday is invariably entwined with the Jewish religion. Celebrations invariably emphasize prayers to God, motivating people to become true Jews through observance of the tenets under the Jewish religion.