Rosh Hashanah & Ramadan begin on Thursday 9/13/07

Rosh Hashanah 2007 occurs at sundown tonight September 12th through sundown, Friday September 14th. Yom Kippur 2007 — The Day of Atonement ( Leviticus 23: 26-32). Saturday, September 22, 2007.

Biblical sources for Rosh Hashana can be found in Leviticus 23:23-24. A whole tractate of the Babylonian Talmud is named for the holiday (Rosh Hashanah). In the Code of Jewish Law, the laws of Rosh Hashanah can be found starting in Orach Chaim chapter 581.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are basically one “unit” of the holidays, with Sukkot and Simchas Torah another unit. The Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement are a culmination of a period of introspection started some 30 days before Rosh Hashanah. The Jewish New Year is also known as the Day of Judgement. The period between this day and the Day of Atonement is known as 10 days of Repentance. It is believed that even after judgement, true repentance to do Good can nullify a difficult judgement.

Also on Thursday, Sept. 13*, 2007, the Muslim community in America and around the world will begin the monthlong fast of Ramadan (rom-a-don), the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from dawn to sunset. Since Ramadan is a lunar month, it begins 11 days earlier each year. The end of Ramadan is marked by communal prayers called “Eid ul-Fitr,” or Feast of the Fast-Breaking, on October 12*, 2007.

The fast is performed to exercise discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God’s commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the “five pillars” of Islam.

Local mosques will host interfaith iftars (fast-breaking meal) and other social activities. Mosques will also have special prayers, called taraweeh, after the daily nighttime prayer. In the last odd-numbered nights of Ramadan, Muslims mark Lailat ul-Qadr (“Night of Power” or “Night of Destiny”).

The Quran, Islam’s revealed text, states: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.” (2: 183)

“With Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah falling around the same time this year, Muslims, Jews and other Americans will have an opportunity once again to involve in spiritual reflection and renewal, and learn about each other’s faith and traditions,” said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Greater Los Angeles Area.

* Ramadan is expected to begin and end based on moon-sighting.

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