Definition:
The Jewish High Holidays, also called the High Holy Days, refer to the ten day period beginning on Rosh Hashanah and ending on Yom Kippur.
From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur
Since God judges on Rosh Hashanah and sentences on Yom Kippur, those days and the days in between are a time of reflection and repentance. Thus, this ten day period is also known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) and the Ten Days of Repentance (Aseret Yamei Tsuvah).
Including Shabbat Shuvah
The Sabbath that takes place between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, during the Ten Days of Repentance, is called Shabbat Shuvah (Sabbath of Return). This Sabbath is considered to be an important opportunity for Jews to reflect and repent before Yom Kippur.
A Time to Repent
It is believed that on Rosh Hashanah, God inscribes us in "books." God decides not only whether we will have a good or bad year, but also whether we will live or die in the upcoming year. Then on Yom Kippur, God seals these "books." Thus, on Yom Kippur Jews wish each other a "Good Signing (in the Book of Life)" (Chatima Tova).
It follows that during the Ten Days of Repentance, the "books" are still open. God has judged, but not yet passed sentence. Repenting (as well as praying and giving charity) during the Ten Days of Repentance is the way to reconcile with God and change His inscription in the "books". Thus, Jews repent during the Jewish High Holidays in the hope that God will grant them a good year.
The Jewish High Holidays, also called the High Holy Days, refer to the ten day period beginning on Rosh Hashanah and ending on Yom Kippur.
From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur
Since God judges on Rosh Hashanah and sentences on Yom Kippur, those days and the days in between are a time of reflection and repentance. Thus, this ten day period is also known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) and the Ten Days of Repentance (Aseret Yamei Tsuvah).
Including Shabbat Shuvah
The Sabbath that takes place between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, during the Ten Days of Repentance, is called Shabbat Shuvah (Sabbath of Return). This Sabbath is considered to be an important opportunity for Jews to reflect and repent before Yom Kippur.
A Time to Repent
It is believed that on Rosh Hashanah, God inscribes us in "books." God decides not only whether we will have a good or bad year, but also whether we will live or die in the upcoming year. Then on Yom Kippur, God seals these "books." Thus, on Yom Kippur Jews wish each other a "Good Signing (in the Book of Life)" (Chatima Tova).
It follows that during the Ten Days of Repentance, the "books" are still open. God has judged, but not yet passed sentence. Repenting (as well as praying and giving charity) during the Ten Days of Repentance is the way to reconcile with God and change His inscription in the "books". Thus, Jews repent during the Jewish High Holidays in the hope that God will grant them a good year.
