In Oudtshoorn se vroeë jare het die dorp ook bekend gestaan as Klein Jerusalem, met sowat 600 Joodse gesinne wat op ’n stadium op die dorp gewoon het.
Daar is vandag steeds Joodse gesinne op die dorp en dié gemeenskap speel ’n baie belangrike rol op Oudtshoorn, veral in die sakesektor en in organisasies soos die Rotariërs. Rosh Hashanah en die eet van appels gedoop in heuning is sinoniem.
’n Appel word in heuning gedoop en tydens die aandete geëet. Dit simboliseer ’n goeie en soet jaar. Die appel self simboliseer ’n “ronde” of foutlose jaar.
Granate word ook gedurende Rosh Hashanah geëet. Dit simboliseer die hoop of wens dat die nuwe jaar gevul sal wees met net so baie goeie dinge as die pitte van die granaat. Nuwe vrugte van die seisoen word ook tydens Rosh Hashanah geëet.
Message by Larry Markus:
The two most important Jewish religious holidays are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
These High Holy days are celebrated and observed in all Jewish Synagogues all over the world.
Prayers in the synagogue on Rosh Hashanah deal primarily with the life and happiness of individuals and with the peace of mankind.
In contrast to all other festivals, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have neither a historical nor an agricultural background.
The customs and ceremonies are to promote thoughts about G-d and about relations with your fellow man.
The prayer book used for these festivals is called “Machzor”.
Candles are lit so that the New Year begins with light and joy and greeting cards are sent with the traditional Rosh Hashanah greeting: “Le Shanah Tovah Tikatevu”, which translates to “May you be inscribed for a good year”.
One of the most impressive portions of the Rosh Hashanah services is the blowing of the ram’s horn – the Shofar.
The Shofar is a natural wind instrument and one of the oldest instruments known.
On behalf of the Oudtshoorn Jewish Community we would like to thank you for all your good wishes.
