Panama: Rosh Hashanah celebration

Jewish Community Readies for Rosh Hashanah

La Prensa

Traditional foods are an important part of the Rosh Hashanah celebration.

The Jewish community will begin celebrating Rosh Hashanah, of the Jewish New Year, Saturday with prayers and family gatherings, said Panama's head rabbi, Haim Levy.

The holiday is actually two days, as Sunday is the Day of Reckoning. According to tradition, this is the day that God judges people according to the acts committed during the year that just ended, and decides their fate for next year.

This holiday calls for businesses owned by Jews to be closed on Saturday and Sunday, as no work is permitted during these holidays.

A highlight of the holiday is the feast at which symbolic foods are eaten, including pomegranate seeds, lentils or beans and dates. It also includes an apple with honey and beef.

Another symbolic food eaten on this day is pumpkin, which is supposed to help get rid of bad luck and replace it with good luck.

The first 10 days of the Jewish new year also have a special meaning within the religion. These days are considered the holiest of the year, and are meant as a period for prayer and self-reflection. The belief, said Levy, is that God is closely watching the actions and behaviors of his followers during this time.

This period ends with Yom Kippur, which is a period of fasting for 24 hours. This year, Yom Kippur is from the afternoon of Sept. 27 until the evening of Sept. 29.