Israel is a country with unique ancient religious traditions. At the same time, the traditions and beliefs of representatives of other nationalities are respected in it. Two popular and beloved all over the world holidays - New Year and Christmas, are celebrated here in a special way.
How New Year is celebrated in Israel
Jews celebrate their New Year - Rosh Hashanah, which falls in September-October (Tishrei month). This holiday marks the beginning of the year and symbolizes the day of the end of the process of the creation of the world by the Almighty. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, necessarily on the new moon, only on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. These are the days when believers take stock of the outgoing year and plan things for the coming year.
When celebrating Rosh Hashanah, Jews perform tashlikh - they throw pieces of bread or pebbles into the river or sea while reading prayers, which symbolizes cleansing from sins.
Family and friends should be congratulated, given gifts, wish the very best in the coming year. Families gather at the traditional table with a symbolic treat. These are apples in honey (sweet life), carrots cut into circles (a symbol of wealth), challah with raisins (a symbol of health), vegetables and fruits (a symbol of a rich harvest). The celebration of the New Year ends with Yom Kippur - Day of Forgiveness and Repentance. The customary date for the New Year celebration for Europeans, January 1, was practically not celebrated in Israel 20 years ago. The appearance in the country of a large number of emigrants from the former USSR led to the fact that gradually this holiday took root here as well. In Israel they call him "Sylvester". It's not even a day off, except when the first day falls on Saturday. It is celebrated traditionally, with New Year's TV shows, with family and friends, with Olivier salad, caviar and champagne.
Celebrating Christmas
The most widespread religion in Israel is Judaism, but, nevertheless, the Nativity of Christ is celebrated in the country as a national and world holiday. Many religious pilgrims and tourists come to Bethlehem, where a festive service is held all night in the Basilica of the Nativity of Christ, the place where Jesus was born. This small town is transforming on Christmas days - there are elegant shining Christmas trees on the streets, shop windows attract customers with numerous goods, everything sparkles and shimmers. Christmas services are held throughout the country, in the most famous churches: the Upper Cathedral Church, the Catholicon, the Nativity Cave, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, in Nazareth, both on December 25, according to the Catholic tradition, and on January 7, according to the Orthodox tradition.
On Christmas Eve, believers can touch the Star of Bethlehem in the cave where Jesus was born.
From time to time, Christmas can coincide with the original Jewish holiday of Hanukkah (the holiday of candles). This holiday arose as a tribute to the memory of the victory of the Jews over the Greeks, and it is celebrated during the week, when every evening one new candle is lit in a special candlestick-menorah.
