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Published on: 9/11/2007
Last Visited: 9/11/2007
And while Jews believe one's destiny for the next year is determined on Rosh Hashanah, they also believe they have 10 days, until Yom Kippur, in which to "negotiate" that fate with God, said Rabbi Efraim I. Eisen of Temple Israel in Greenfield.
"We believe that on Yom Kippur, the book (in which one's destiny is written) is sealed.So there is a very special time from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur to avert a severe decree.It's like you have 10 days to get your act together," he said.
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So it is a big birthday party for the world," Eisen said.
While it does have its festive side, Rosh Hashanah is not, essentially, a party, he said.It does involve celebrations, but it is more a time for personal introspection and prayer.
"Some people approach it with fear and others approach it with rejoicing," he said.
Eisen said that in the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Jews will attempt to cleanse the sins, large and small, of their souls.