Author: admin

Shemini Atzeret actually means the eighth day of assembly . This day is a Biblical holiday for Jewish that follows the Jewish festival of Sukkot. It is celebrated on 22nd day of the Jewish month of Tishri or Tishri. The Jewish believe that on the eighth day they should hold a solemn gathering and should not go to work.

It is celebrated in the Diaspora for two days; the second day is separately called Simchat Torah. In Reform Judaism and Israel these holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are collectively celebrated on a single day and the names are used interchangeably.

Celebrating Simchat Torah

A rabbinical tradition gradually developed in the Middle Ages to celebrate the Torah on Shemini Atzeret. This celebration came to be known as Simchat Torah. This day is celebrated with joyful processions, dancing and singing. This occasion marks the ending of one cycle of Torah reading and the beginning of a new cycle.

The Genesis of Shemini Atzeret

In ancient times, on the eighth day after the start of Sukkot – the Jews were supposed to amass in Jerusalem for the final time in the Jewish calendar year. On this day, called Shemini Atzeret is seen as a day of judgment by God. The Jewish people were judged as to whether or not they were worthy of receiving the seasonal autumn rainfall, indispensable for their crops and vegetation growth in the coming year and hence, enable the survival of the Jewish community.

Praying For Rain On Shemini Atzeret

You would be interested in knowing how people pray on Shemini Atzeret. In Israel, the rainy season is marked by Shemini Atzeret and is followed by the harvest. It is customary to recite a special prayer for rain, in the autumn season, on Shemini Atzeret.

Since the Sukkah, pleasant weather is no longer required, Jews plead for rain during the Tefilat Geshem prayer. It is recited in a typical mournful melody during the cantor’s or liturgical singer, recitation of the Musaf Amidah. You would find that in most synagogue services on Shemini Atzeret, the cantor wears a white “kittel” or “robe”. Here, the color white symbolizes piety and expresses the hope for a positive judgment by God for rain.

Believers also solicit forgiveness for the sins committed by them against God (equivalent to sins committed against oneself), during the past year on Shemini Atzeret. A brief prayer for rain continues to be inserted in the Amidah until Passover.

The Rituals Of Shemini Atzeret

Tefilat Geshem is a unique ritual in Shemini Atzeret. In ancient times, offerings were placed in the Temple in Jerusalem on Shemini Atzeret. After the destruction of the Temple, the ritual has reduced to remain a liturgy, requesting rain for a plentiful year. The book of Ecclesiastes is still chanted on Shemini Atzeret.

Ashkenazi Jews also recite The Yizkor memorial service on this day. They also recite Yizkor, on Shemini Atzeret. On this day, service for departed loved ones is also recited in the synagogues.

The day of Shemini Atzeret is essentially a day, which highlights the unique relationship of water and life. This special Prayer For Rainfall is recited in synagogues throughout the world for the holy Land of Israel. Purpose of prayers on Shemini Atzeret is to help keep the Jewish people more conscious of the Land of Israel as well as helping to strengthen their spiritual bond with Israel.

Purim is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the liberation of all the Jews from the authority of Persian Empire and the extermination of Haman. The purpose of this article is to teach Purim for kids to understand easily. This miraculous deliverance was accomplished through Queen Esther. Purim is observed annually on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. Like all other Jewish holidays, Purim begins at sundown on the previous secular day. In this holy day, the holy book of Esther is publicly recited, mutual gifts of food and drink are given, and charity is given to poor. The occasion is celebrated with a festive meal, alcohol and by wearing masks and costumes. Wearing masks and costumes makes Purim for kids especially fun.

Different Purims

Shushan Purim

The Jews in Jerusalem and Shushan (Iran) celebrate Purim on the 15th day of Adar known as Shushan Purim. The Book of Esther explains that after Persia conquered Babylonia, the Jews in the un-walled cities fought their enemies on the 13th of Adar and rested on the 14th. But the Jews in the walled capital of Shushan fought their enemies on 13th and 14th and rested on the 15th.

Purim Katan

Purim is celebrated in the second month of Adar in the leap years of the Hebrew calendar. Purim Katan or Little Purim is the 14th of the first Adar, which is characterized by all the rituals of proper Purim except the reading of Megillah, charity to poor and fasting on the 13th of the month.

Other Purims
Many Jewish communities across the world celebrate local Purims to commemorate the freedom from a particular anti-semitic rule. Vintz is the most popular Purim, traditionally celebrated one week after the regular Purim in Frankfurt am Main.

Many Jewish families observe family Purims at home to celebrate escape from accidents, persecutions or any disasters.

The events of Purim were recorded in the Book of Esther. Judaism has always held the holiday of Purim in high esteem. The saying goes like even when all the prophetical and hagiographical works are forgotten; the Book of Esther will still be remembered along with the feast of Purim (Jerusalem Talmud, Megillah 1/5a; Maimonides, Yad, Megillah).

The Four Chief Mitzvoth Of Purim Are

• Listening to the reading of the Book of Esther in the evening and in the following morning in the synagogue
• Giving food gifts to friends
• Charity to poor
• A celebratory meal

The Rituals Of Purim

The celebration of Purim starts with the reading of the book of Esther (the Megillah) in the synagogue. This is a regulation ascribed to the Men of Great Assembly in the Talmud. Talmud is a later work, which prescribed three benedictions before the reading and one benediction after the reading. According to the Jewish law, the Megillah can be read in any language intelligible to the audience.

Rowdiness in Purim is permitted within the walls of the synagogue. For example, when the reader of Megillah mentions Haman in a public congregation then there are noisy hissing, stamping and rattling.

Burning Of Haman s Effigy

This custom dates back to Talmudic period. In the 5th century and in 9th and 10th century burning of Haman s effigy was a custom. However, this burning custom is no longer practiced.

The Purim Meal

On the day of Purim, the evening is the time for a festive meal, Seudat Purim along with alcohol is held.

Masquerading In Purim

This is another prominent and amusing feature of the Jewish festival of Purim. Kids dress up like the protagonists of the Book Of Esther, like Queen Esther and Mordechai. Masking also centers on Biblical personas like King David and the Kohen Gadol or the High Priest. Today modern costume and dresses ranging from policemen to flower girls are also worn.

Thus ends the joyous festivities of Purim for kids and adults alike.

Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year, which falls on the first and second days of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The celebration of this holiday is marked by both solemnity and joyfulness. The day is solemn because the world is judged for the coming year and it is joyful as this day incites hope for the future redemption of Israel. It steers in the 10 days of repentance leading to the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.

Rosh Hashana literally means Beginning of the Year . Now, why does the year begin in the seventh month? Because the Jewish calendar is built on two cycles, the religious calendar begins at Spring and the civil calendar begins in Fall. In Torah, the months are only numbered, not named. Nisan is the first month of the religious calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, Rosh Hashana falls within September to October.

Date of Rosh Hashana

Rosh Hashana extends over the first and second days of Tishrei. This is because the days in Hebrew calendar begin at sundown and Rosh Hashana begins at sundown of the 29th of Elul, the month preceding Tishrei.

The two days of Rosh Hashana are considered one long day or “Yoma Arichtah” in Aramaic. The second day of Rosh Hashana does not follow the Biblical commandment of observance on the first day.

Some communities to follow Reform Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism observe only one day and some celebrate Rosh Hashana for two days. The Karaite Jews follow the Biblical scripture and observe only the first day of Rosh Hashana as the second day is not mentioned in the Torah. Conservative and Orthodox Judaism celebrate both the first and second days of Rosh Hashana.

How Rosh Hashana Is Observed?

Rosh Hashana is the Day of Judgment and the day of hope. People in this holiday ask for forgiveness, give forgiveness and resolve to lead a better life. They pray for a happy year to come. The Jews somberly repent but find joy in the mercy of God.

The Jews greet each other by saying “Shana Tova” (A good Year) or “Shana Tova Umetukah (A Good and Sweet Year) on Rosh Hashana. As God judges them for the coming year a longer greeting is ketiva ve-chatima tovah (May You Be Written and Sealed for a Good Year).

The Traditions Of Rosh Hashana

• Listening to the shofar blown during the lengthy prayer services
• Doing no work
• Eating holiday meals

Jewish traditions for eating in the occasion of Rosh Hashana

• Dip bread into honey as a symbol of hope that the ensuing year will be sweet
• Dipping apple into honey as a symbol of hope of sweet new year
• Jews avoid nuts because numerical value for the Hebrew word for nut is same as sin
• Observing the Tashlich ceremony where sins are symbolically cast off into the river and penitential prayers are chanted.

Thus, goes on the solemn and joyful ceremonies of Rosh Hashana.

Shavuot, also spelled as Shavuos is a Jewish holiday, which is celebrated on the sixth day of Sivan in the Hebrew calendar (May/June). Torah mandates Pesach, Sukkot and Shavuos as the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals or shalosh regalim. On Shavuos, God gave the Torah to the Jewish nation at Mount Sinai. This day also marks the conclusion of the Counting of Omer.

The date of occurrence of Shavuot is not explicitly mentioned in the Torah unlike the Passover and Sukkot. Shavuot history is directly linked to Passover. Shavuot is the day of culmination of the Counting of Omer, a 49-day (seven week) counting period starting from the second day of Passover, as mandated by Torah. This counting period is the period of anticipation for the Giving of the Torah. The Passover festival marks the liberation of the Jewish people from the slavery of the Pharaoh. On Shavuot, God gave them the Torah and they became a Jewish Nation committed to the service of God.

Shavuot – A Harvest Festival

When researching Shavuot history you will find that it is fundamentally an agricultural festival and is connected to the season of grain harvest in Israel. Shavuos is also called by the name of Harvest festival and the First Fruits (Bikkuram) Festival. On Shavuot, the Bikkuram, the first fruits of the seven species for which Israel are praised (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates) and the first-born of the flocks were offered to the Holy Temple.

Shavuot history shows a connection with the Biblical Book of Ruth. The story is of Ruth and Moabite joining the Jews. The lineage described at the end of the book lists King David as Ruth s great grandson. According to the tradition, King David is said to have born and died on Shavuot.

Abstention from work, special prayer services and holiday meals are the three mitzvots of Shavuos. As such, there are no prescribed mirzvot (Torah Commandments) for Shavuot. But Shavuos is characterized by minhagim (customs) because this day signifies the continuance and preservation of Jewish religion.

The Customs Of Shavuot

The Night Prayers

On Shavuos, God gave the Torah to the Jewish nation. Thus it is a custom to learn Torah all night long in the synagogue to prepare oneself to receive the Torah.

Reading The Book Of Ruth

On the day of Shavuos, the Book of Ruth is read in the synagogue along with various liturgical songs related to the excerpts of Torah.

Eating Dairy Food

The root of this custom is unclear but a sumptuous meal consisting of dairy products like cheesecake, ice-cream and cheese filled blintzes are traditionally served on Shavuot.

Decoration

Shavuos is a time for decoration. According to Midrash, Mount Sinai unexpectedly blossomed with flowers in anticipation of reception of the Torah. So traditionally the Jewish families adorn the synagogue and their homes with flowers, leaves and plants.

Thus, Shavuot history shows how this celebration is a key festival and a bejeweled holiday of the Jewish nation.

Tu B’Shvat or Tu Bishvat is a Jewish holiday. Though, it is not very relevant as there are no restrictions on working. However, it is one of the four Rosh Hashanahs (New Years) mentioned in the Mishnah- the basis of the Talmud, the sacred book of Jews. Tu Bishvat also signifies the Rosh HaShanah La’Ilanot “new year of the trees”.

Tu Bishvat owes its name to the date of the holyday that is the 15th day of Shevat. Shevat is actually the month of Hebrew calendar, read as “Tu, , this is how the number 15 is represented in Hebrew numerals using the Hebrew alphabet. You can understand this more clearly, as Haredi Jews identify the day by its original full name, Hamishah Asar BeShevat meaning “The Fifteenth of Shevat”.

Origin of Tu B’Shvat

You would come across a number of opinions regarding the origin of Tu B’Shvat. According to the school of Hillel, Tu Bishvat was originally the day when the fruits that grew from that day onwards were counted up till the following year regarding tithes. On the contrary, the school of Shammai believes that day is the first day of Shevat.

It was observed that during the Middle Ages or perhaps a little before that, this day was celebrated as a minor ceremony by eating fruits as this day was regarded as “Rosh Hashanah” (“New Year”) in the Mishnah. Later on it was understood as being a appropriate time for celebration.

Today, Tu B’Shvat has grown popular with many Jews. It is now celebrated with much fervor in Jewish synagogues, schools, and communities. The main activity people perform on this day, is planting trees in open spaces in Israel.

This tradition of planting trees began way back in 1890, when Zeev Yabetz the famous teacher and writer went out with his students in a school in Zichron Yaakov for a celebratory planting. In 1908, this initiative was popularized by the Israeli Teachers trade union and later on by the Land Development Authority.

The Tu Bishvat Seder

The kabbalistic way of celebrating Tu Bishvat seder s holiday is quite unique. They usually invite some friends to their house, and make various symbolic offerings. Then they enjoy wine and fruit and hold discussions on the four main aspects of this holiday- physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual and try to relate the four themes of the seder namely- social, cosmic, national, ecological. The Seder host chooses one aspect of one theme at a time to concentrate on.

Customary celebrations on Tu B’Shvat

There is a custom to have different types of fruit on this holiday and recite the apposite blessings. Traditionally, the Seven Species associated with the Land of Israel mentioned in the Torah: Wheat, Barley, Pomegranates, Grapes, Figs, Olives and Dates are taken on this day. Someone who eats sufficient amount of these fruits, he recites the special after blessing prayers of Al Ha’aretz ve’al HaPeorot.

Many Jews eat fruits such as oranges, bananas, walnuts, pistachios, dates, apricots, olives and persimmons. Many of them prefer to eat all kinds of dried fruits like raisins and nuts.
It is also a custom for many to have candied etrog or carob.

Kabbalistic tradition preaches that eating these fruits creates an association with the abstract Tree of Life that God placed in the Garden of Eden as mentioned in the Book of Genesis.

Every Jew should make an attempt to eat at least one fruit on Tu B Shvat, which he has not eaten for the entire season, and would require the blessing of Shehecheyanu. While having such a fruit, the Shehecheyanu should be said before reciting the blessing of “Haetz .

Tu B’Shvat is a great day for celebrations. This is the day for performing the customs and the blessings of Almighty. Tu B Shvat is an occasion for Jews to relate the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual thoughts of humanity.

Yom Kippur is a holyday among the Jews. It is also known as the Day Of Atonement . Yom Kippur marks the culmination of the Days Of Repentance , also known as the High Holidays . Jews believe that, on the day of Yom Kippur, they would get the last opportunity to obtain release and forgiveness from their previous sins.

Yom Kippur is observed at the tenth day of the Jewish New Year, called Rosh Hashanah . On the tenth day of the New Year, they seek forgiveness for the sins committed in the previous year. It is another way of celebrating the long waited New Year as well.

The Jewish also believe that on this holyday, god passes His judgment on every person on earth. On the Yom Kippur day they seek God s blessings and forgiveness through utter devotion and spiritual commitment. They do so, because they want to start the New Year with a clean conscience, regretting his previous misdeeds.

Yom Kippur To Different Jew Sects

Yom Kippur does not have any particular historical background. According to Jewish mythology, this observance has a relation with the Ten Commandments . Yom Kippur is celebrated differently in different Jewish communities. The Sephardic Jews call the day the day of the White Fast . On this day they wear white clothes in order to present them as white or pure . Ashkenazic Jews celebrate this Holyday as the day of Rejoicing . They pass the day with a somber and grave feeling in mind.

The Diversity In Observing Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is associated with the idea of purification or cleansing the mind. The Jews fast from the evening of the Holyday till the following night. The whole day is passed with unusual prayers. On this particular day, Jews do not take food. But people who have problems with fasting do take food. Some other things are also prohibited, such as, washing, putting cosmetics and so on.

The Jews visit the synagogues on this sacred day. In Israel, people strictly observe the day of Yom Kippur. The schools, colleges and business organizations remain closed. Most interestingly, on that day, not a single plane takes off from the airport. On the day of Yom Kippur, the Jews love to ride bi-cycles. This practice is popular among the non-Jew communities too. Thus, it is called the Festival Of Bi-Cycles too.

The Prayer Services

On the occasion of Yom Kippur, men and women wear a white garment, called Kittle . The observation starts with a prayer named Kol Nidre , which must be recited before sunset. Besides, the Book Of Jonah is also recited during the afternoon prayers. There are Jews who prefer to continue prayers right from the morning to the night, but some definitely take breaks in between.

Services In The Temples Of Jerusalem

In Jerusalem the Kohen Gadol (The High Priest) performs all the rituals. He also sacrifices some object in the name of Yom Kippur. Before the start of the rituals, the priest needs to purify himself through five Holy baths and changing clothes for four times.

Yom Kippur is thus a unique celebration, where men and women seek God s Divine blessing to decontaminate their conscience through devoted prayers and rituals.

The history of the Jewish Passover is a highly celebrated festival among the Jews. The Jewish Passover is celebrated during the last week of March or early April. This festival has an interesting story about the emigration of the Israelites. According to the ancient myth, God asked the contemporary Pharaoh to let his people free. Since the Pharaoh disobeyed Him, God inflicted Israel with ten deadly plagues. The plagues were blood , frog , lice , beasts , cattle disease , boils , hails , locusts , first born and slaying of the first born . In order to evade the danger, the Israelites rushed from there. They cooked their meal and baked their bread in the sunlight.

At the final phase of their journey they witnessed the Red sea waves getting parted in order to let them pass, and were again closed as the king s army reached there. Thus, the Israelites were saved, symbolizing the Holy start of the Passover.

The history of the Jewish Passover festival also narrates the story of the early lives of the Jewish people and their struggle to evade slavery in Egypt. The festival inspires subjugated people, and motivates them to fight for freedom.

The Jewish Passover has also been an inspiration to the enslaved South American citizens. Songs of victory are sung, and the tribulation of slavery is cast aside.

Modes Of Celebration

The Jewish Passover is a festival of food and drink. This celebrity meal is taken during the first two Passover nights. Before the dinner, the Jewish people go through the Exodus . The Jewish people take a special dish named Seder . A Seder plate contains five items. Every plate is covered with specially made covers, so that the purity is retained.

On this Holy occasion, the Jews take out processions, and pray to God for the betterment of the diseased families and their ancestors. Each ritual and custom may have more than a single significance, and they are highly venerable to the Jews.

The Significance Of Wine

Throughout the Passover week, the Jews take Bread or Matzo . Adults take four big glasses of wine, symbolizing the four books of Exodus: Freedom , Deliverance , Redemption and Release .

The Dictum Behind the Festival

The motto of Jewish Passover is to enhance ones insight and enlighten his knowledge against every evil. The rituals related to it have universal significance, and can be related to the ancient as well as the contemporary age. The festival teaches that each day brings with it new gifts, which are valuable possessions of humanity. Through this knowledge, you can do good to yourself and to the greater humanity as well.

The history of the Jewish Passover thus denotes the victory over slavery and subjugation. On the concerned day, death could not affect the chosen ones, since they were the Blessed creatures. Thus, the festival still brings to mind the sense of victory and accomplishment, stirring the minds across the world.

Sukkot is a Jewish festival and is the third festival in the Hebrew month of Tishrei. This holiday comes on the fifth day following Yom Kippur. This festival celebrates the forty years of exile the Jews had after their exodus from Israel.

Sukkot is also known by several names, Day of Booths, the Feast of Tabernacles or The Days of our Rejoicing.

The History Of Sukkot

The festival of Sukkot combines religious and agricultural elements beautifully. Sukkot is one of the three pilgrimage Jewish festivals. In the day of Sukkot, in ancient times the Jews came to Jerusalem to the Holy Temple to offer animal and grain sacrifices.

After their exodus from Egypt the Israelites lived in the desert in booths. This booth is known as sukka . The Jew people built sukka as a temporary dwelling place consisting wooden or cloth walls on at least three sides of its four sides with a roof above made of tree branches through which they could see the sky. Traditionally the roof was made of palm fronds.

The festival of Sukkot is also the Harvest Festival. It is celebrated in the autumn after summer harvest is complete and before the start of winter harvest. The farmers pray for rain for the ensuing year and thank God for the year s harvest.

The Time Of Sukkot

Sukkot is a 7-day festival occurring from 15th to the 21st of the month of Tishrei. According to the Gregorian calendar it falls usually in the middle of October. The first day of Sukkot is a holyday and no productive work is done and most businesses remain closed. The last day of Sukkot is also a gala celebration. The days in-between are like week days. From the eighth day a separate festival starts, which is called Shemini Atseret.

The Festival Customs Of Sukkot

The Jews build sukka according to the strict Jewish law. They build sukka under the open sky; it cannot be built under a roof or a tree. The sukka is decorated with lovely pictures, fruits and paper cut outs. The Jews build sukkas in their yards or balconies. According to Jewish custom it is obligatory to eat and sleep in the sukka during the seven day festival.

Four species of plants are used in ceremonial blessings. The lulav (palm frond), hadass (myrtle), aravah (willow branch) and etrog (citron) are the four species symbolizing different characteristics among men. It is mandatory for the men and boys over the age bar of mitzvah to wave lulav and etrog each day of Sukkot.

During the first six days of the festival, the followers make a complete circuit of the synagogue in a procession with the lulavs.

In the seventh day of Sukkot known as Hoshana Rabbah the worshippers make seven circuits around the sanctuary.

Sukkot is also the time for rebinding family ties, feasts and enjoyment.

Passover, also known as Pesach, is one of the most important Jewish holidays, along with the holy days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Passover celebrates the protection that God offered to the Jews during the time when they were enslaved in Egypt. Moses, an important figure in Jewish history, had asked the Egyptian pharaoh repeatedly to free the Jews from their servitude, and the pharaoh had refused. Because of the Pharaoh’s refusal to free the Jews, God brought ten plagues down upon Egypt: water was turned to blood, frogs proliferated, gnats swarmed, flies grew to great numbers, disease eradicated much of the livestock, people broke out in boils, fiery hail fell from the sky, locusts appeared and ate all the crops, and the land was covered in darkness. These plagues fell upon the Egyptians, but did not affect the Jews.

However, the final plague was that every firstborn son would die, whether person or animal. This is where the origin of Passover arises. The Jews were instructed to protect their firstborn children by making a mark on their doors with the blood of a specially slaughtered lamb; this meant that the final plague of the Angel of Death would pass over them, and the firstborn would be safe. After the last plague, the Jews were permitted to leave Egypt, led by Moses, and eventually made their way to the promised land of Israel.

Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions all recognize the plagues of Egypt. Some people theorize that the Last Supper of Christian tradition was a Passover Seder feast and find symbolic resonance in this idea, especially since Easter and Passover are also celebrated around the same time of year.

Passover is celebrated during the Hebrew month of Nisan, starting on the fifteenth day (this is usually at some point in April). Families gather on the first night of Passover to read the story of the Jewish journey out of Egypt. This celebration is called the seder. The story (known as the Haggadah) is told over a feast of symbolic food such as wine, lamb, special herbs, egg, and matzo (unleavened) bread. The unleavened bread is a reminder of the conditions that Jews suffered under the rule of the Egyptians. This reminder is so important that families spend the days before Passover cleaning the house and removing leavened bread of any sort.

During the seder, children are encouraged to answer questions as the story is told, in order to give them a sense of their heritage and the importance of the Passover in Jewish life. A fun and festive part of the Passover seder is the hiding of the afikomen (a piece of unleavened bread which is the last thing to be eaten that night). Children find the afikomen and are usually rewarded with some small token.

Oftentimes, Passover seders are open to the larger community. To truly get a sense of this major Jewish holiday, consider attending one in your local community or at the house of a friend.

Laylat el qadr or the Night of Power is observed as one of the last concluding days of the Ramadan. It is celebrated on a day which is odd numbered, like the twenty third, twenty fifth or the twenty seventh.

The night of the Laylat al-Qadr is the holiest night of the holiest month for the Muslims. It recalls the night when God Himself sent the Quran down from Heaven right into the souls of His Prophets. The Quran was then recited to Prophet Muhammad in extracts by the angel Gabriel for a period of more than twenty years.

Worshipping the Almighty, during Laylat al-Qadr is equal to worshipping for a thousand months. The commemoration of this holy night requires constant purification and prayer, hoping that the good worshipper will one day receive the very presence of God at this night.

How is Laylat al Qadr Observed?

The devotees observe the entire month of Ramadan by fasting, reciting the Quran, praying and divulging in charity. Muslims try harder to seriously worship Allah in the last ten days of the Ramadan as any odd numbered date during that time could be the Laylat al-qadr.

On this holy night, the Muslims make an extra effect to stay awake and pray all the night in order to receive whatever they ask for on this night. Some Muslims may also stay in the mosque for the ultimate ten days of the Ramadan for remembering Allah. During this Retreat or I tikaf, the devotees are provided with food and other essential needs.

The Date of Laylat el Qadr

All the Muslims know that Laylat al qadr occurred during the last third of the month of Ramadan, but they have different conceptions about the accurate date. The Sunnis consider it to fall on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or the 29th of the month of Ramadan. On the contrary, the Shi as believe it to occur either on the 19th, 21st or the 23rd of the Ramadan, though the 23rd is considered to be the most appropriate date by them. Traditionally, most Sunnis celebrate it on the 27th night. As there is a lot of confusion regarding the date, the Muslims are required to observe all the odd numbered dates of the last ten months.

Muslims believe that when one observes the Laylat al-Qadr, his or her sins will be erased and the person will be reborn. The Muslims believe that their previous sins will be forgiven if they observe this day.

It is a popular Muslim belief that the Lord has not revealed the exact date of Laylat el qadr, as He wanted the Muslims to worship Him sincerely during the whole month of Ramadan.

Though the followers of the satanic innovations believe that the exact date for the Night was known but God caused it to be forgotten, it is found that the true Muslims never doubt their God and believe that God did not omit anything that he knew of from His authentic Hadith.

It is an interesting fact that God mentioned Laylat al Qadr three times in His Hadith, in a phrase that has 9 Arabic letters. The hint was that Laylat el qadr was on the 27th night of the Ramadan, as 9 multiplied by 3 gives 27.