Judaism Step-by-step

Festivals 2 -

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

These are probably the most important festivals in Judaism. They are linked together because Rosh Hashanah (New Year) starts a time of soul-searching that ends 10 days later with the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur. These 10 days of repentance leading up to God's judgment are know as the Days of Awe.

Find out more about each festival by looking at:

The Revision Site's confusingly titled Minor Festivals
Judaism 101's Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

The Festival questions cover two main areas:

What happens and what it all means
Why the festival is important to Jews today

The questions that have come up before [1999 Q5] are:

(a) Describe how and explain why Jews keep the festival of Rosh Hashanah. [8]

(b) Explain how Yom Kippur might affect the life of a Jew. [7]

(c) 'If G-d is good, we will be forgiven however badly we behave.'

Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Judaism in your answer. [5]

These are useful questions to try - it is one way of making sure you have learnt about both festivals! The best practice might be to also have a go at the following:

(a) Describe how and explain why Jews keep the festival of Yom Kippur. [8]

(b) Explain how Rosh Hashanah might affect the life of a Jew. [7]

You can test yourself on any festival simply by putting its name into the questions above.

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