Holiday Archives | Page 3 of 4 | World Jewish Travel

Purim Street Party

Purim is one of the most important Israeli holidays, celebrated all over the country with the biggest events taking place in Tel Aviv. The very nature of the holiday is religious, but these days religious traditions are successfully merged with all night clubbing and carnival atmosphere. The highlight of Purim celebration is the street party and festival with people celebrating all day and night long.

Lag Ba’Omer Pilgrimage at Mount Meron

Lag BaOmer is a Jewish religious holiday celebrated on the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, which occurs on the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar. According to kabbalistic tradition, this day marks the hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and the day on which he revealed the deepest secrets of kabbalah in the form of the Zohar, a landmark text of Jewish mysticism. This association has spawned several well-known customs and practices on Lag BaOmer, including the lighting of bonfires, pilgrimages to the tomb of Bar Yochai in the northern Israeli town of Meron, and various customs at the tomb itself. Residents who live near Meron are permitted to travel on the specified routes, only by presenting an identity card indicating their place of residence. Guests who have ordered guest rooms have to check with the hosts that they have forwarded their latest details to the Israel Police.

Selichot at the Kotel

Selichot at the Kotel: An Enduring Tradition

Selichot at the Kotel is a tradition held during the weeks leading up to the High Holidays. In Jerusalem, thousands of Jews gather at the Western Wall to pray, either late at night or right before dawn to symbolize spiritual life and a sense of urgency. During Selicot, Jews recite the “13 Attributes of Mercy,” a list mentioned in Exodus (34:6–7) that points to God’s compassion and willingness to forgive. Sephardic Jews hold Selichot a month before Rosh Hashanah, while Ashkenazis practice the tradition a few days before the Jewish New Year.

Central to Selichot is a sentiment of repentance. It’s a deeply moving tradition that involves singing songs that have been passed down for generations. At the Western Wall, the sounds of the melodies echo off the stone, creating a chorus throughout the entire plaza. Together, Jews recite Hebrew poems (piyyutim) and excerpts from Psalms, reminding them of God’s ability to forgive. During Selichot, men wear kippahs and some wrap themselves in tallitot.

Although Selichot is primarily recognized by Jews, often, many tourists join in on the tradition in Jerusalem, too. Together, they gather in the open air beneath the Western Wall and participate in a centuries-old tradition alongside thousands of Jews wrapped in shawls, openly practicing their faith. The sound of the blowing shofar acts a call for spiritual awakening – a reminder to return to themselves and to God. Selichot is a tradition not to be missed for any curious traveler looking to for a deeply moving experience.

Ethiopian Sigd Festival

Sigd is a holiday commemorating the acceptance of the Torah by the Ethiopian Jewish community. It is celebrated each year on the 29th of Cheshvan, and is recognized as a national holiday in Israel.

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Overlooking-the-Old-City-of-Jerusalem-Ethiopian-Jews-celebrate-Sigd-571303

Kaparot at Machane Yehuda

Kaparot consists of carefully passing a chicken over one’s head three times while reciting the appropriate text. The chicken is then slaughtered in a humane fashion in accordance with the laws of kashrut. The chicken itself is discreetly donated to a charitable cause, such as a yeshiva or orphanage, where it is eaten just as any other chicken. Alternatively, the chicken is sold and its value donated.

https://www.gojerusalem.com/events/250/Shuk-Kaparot/

Birkat HaKohanim

Birkat HaKohanim: A Blessing Attended by Thousands

Birkat HaKohanim is a significant pilgrimage for Jews at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Held twice a year, once during Passover and once during Sukkot, Birkat HaKohanim is a mass blessing attended by thousands. It became a tradition after it was started by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gafner during the War of Attrition in an effort to provide support for Jews during an extremely challenging time. What started as a one-time gathering during war has now become a cherished, twice-yearly event that brings in hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem.

During Birkat HaKohanim, pilgrims gather at the plaza in front of the Western Wall for the ceremony. Kohanim, or Jewish priests, lead the crowd in an ancient Priestly Blessing. The Kohanim cover their heads and hands with white prayer shawls, stretching their fingers into the Hebrew letter shin. While a blessing is chanted aloud, many in the audience close their eyes or turn away to show humility through avoiding eye contact with the blessing. Some pilgrims even show their grief by weeping openly during the ritual.

Kohanim, pilgrims from near and far, and locals take part in Birkat HaKohanim. The event is open to the public, although Jews make up a large part of the attendees. Tourists interested in religious ceremonies also often attend, drawn in by the cultural significance of the gathering. Since Birkat HaKohanim happens during Passover and Sukkot, there’s a good chance you can time your visit to experience it alongside the other holidays.

Abu Gosh Music Festival

The Abu-Gosh Festival is the leading and most important festival in the Israeli vocal music scene. The Festival has existed in its present layout since 1992, and it takes place twice a year – on Sukkot and Shavuot – lasting between three to five days each time.

The Festival’s concerts are performed in two churches: the Crusader-Benedictine Church, built in the 12th century, situated in the heart of the village; and the Kiryat Ye’arim Church, situated at the top of the hill, overlooking Abu-Gosh.

Twice a year, the village of Abu Gosh becomes a paradise for vocal music lovers, who come in their thousands from all over the country and turn Abu Gosh and its churches into a colorful vocal locale of festivities.

Shabbat of a Lifetime

The Shabbat of a Lifetime program offers tourists from all backgrounds to experience an authentic Shabbat (Jewish Sabbath). This celebration takes place at the home of a host family in the holy city of Jerusalem. All participants receive an informative introduction to Shabbat during a five-course meal with their host families.

Jerusalem Chesed – Machlis Shabbat

Since 1979, Jerusalem Chesed – Machlis has hosted spiritually uplifting and meaningful Shabbat meals in the holy city of Jerusalem. These Shabbat meals are formed into masterpieces by Rabbi Mordechai Machlis. The Rabbi’s inspirational Torah thoughts on the weekly portion, his singing of Shabbat songs, and his clear explanations of the Jewish ritual create warmth and acceptance for all attendees. There is plenty of homemade food to go around. Each week, the food flows out of a tiny kitchen to delight the body & soul – all in honor of the Holy Shabbat.

White City Shabbat

Come find a Friday night dinner, or Saturday lunch every Shabbat. There are new choices to discover each week in the Tel Aviv area organized by White City Shabbat. Now is the time to relax!

Event Tag: Holiday