Category: Culture Articles

Declaration Of The Bab is an important day for the Bahais, when they venerate the Declaration of The Bab, the Promised person. The incident took place on 22nd May 1844, two hours and eleven minutes after the sunset. It is a renowned day, which marks he start of the Bahai Era in Iran.

The declaration actually is a testimony of Bab s omnipotence. Here He has declared that He is the founder of an independent religious sect, and a Prophet or the Messenger of God as well. He is the fellow who would bring peace and prosperity to His people. The Declaration carries this fundamental point of Bab, which is known as the Bayan .

During the contemporary era, Muslims were looking for a prophet or a leader to guide them forward. Bab declared Bahaullah the latest manifestation of God. Bahaullah is the true follower of Bab and the Prophet-Founder of the Bahai Faith.

The day of the Declaration is also considered as the day of Blessed Beauty , where Bahaullah represents the shining sun. In accepting Bahaullah as their leader and guide, the Persians have faced some difficulty. Some of them have been persecuted, jailed, and convicted. But, ultimately, they have overcome their ordeal with a lot of courage.

Behind the formation of the Declaration day, you have to go through the history first. Bab had previously been known as Siyyid Al Muhamm d. He had a generous heart and He spread His humanitarian views among the other people of His sect. Bab was very straightforward in His approach. He was a man of medium height and clear heart.

He preached that you should not be hesitant in breaking your pledge if necessary. He was a man of dignity and self-assurance. He always advised His followers to commit, but in the name of God. He had such a brilliant exterior, that even a layman can read through the Divine look, manifesting Godly brilliance.

Visiting the mosque daily was a must for Him. He used to say that all your approaches should be conditioned according to the Will of God. By following the Holy path of faith and spiritual clarity, Bab has turned the Bahais one of the most transparent religions of the world.

Declaration Of The Bab, the Holy Day thus brings into focus the prophetic brilliance and glory of Bahaullah.

The Ascension of Abdu l Baha, Baha u llah s oldest son is the day of commemorating the death of the second leader of the Baha i Faith. Abdu l Baha died on November 28, 1921. He was 77 years old at that time. On this holyday, Baha is all over the world remembers the life of Abdu l Baha and tries to re-dedicate themselves to the Baha i doctrine.

Life of Abdu l Baha

One event that made a strong impact on Abdu l Baha was the imprisonment of His Father. His family was reduced to poverty and He was attacked by the other children on the streets.

Abdu l Baha married in 1873 and had nine children. Only four of His daughters managed to survive the infancy.

Three closely-related distinctions bestowed upon Him by Baha u llah were:

1. He was the appointed successor of Baha u llah and also the center of Baha u llah s Covenant with His followers.
2. He also had the honor of being the authorized interpreter of His Father s Writings.
3. Being the perfect exemplar of His Father s teachings He was emulated by all the Baha is.

Though, Abdu l Baha was not a Prophet in His own right, His writings form an integral part of the Baha I Holy Writings. The Baha is revere Him as the Master . Two of the Holy Days commemorated by the Baha is celebrate the life of the Abdu l Baha. Though, these are not days in which the Baha is are required to refrain from work.

He spent years in exile with His father and had remained imprisoned for the greater part of His life. He led the Baha i Community during His lifetime and also made some historic travels through North America and Europe in an effort to spread His Father s teachings. He was also knighted by Queen Victoria for His humanitarian services in Palestine at the time of the World War I.

Ascension Of Abdu l Baha

Abdu l Baha died on November 20th, 1920. After Baha u llah s death, the Will and Testament of Baha u llah stated that Abdu l Baha s half brother, Mirza Muhammad Ali should be the leader of the Faith. Thus, while most of the Baha is followed Abdu l Baha, a handful went on to follow Mirza Muhammad Ali.

Abdu l Baha is buried in the front room of the shrine where the Bab is also buried in Mount Carmel. Though there are plans to build a shrine for Abdu l Baha. His Will and Testament states His grandson, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani as the selected Guardian of the Baha i Faith. The Ascension of Abdu l Baha is a celebration of the rising of Abdu l Baha s spirit to the heavenly dwelling for the Baha is.

The birth of Baha u llah, Prophet-Founder of the Baha i faith was on the 12th of November, 1817 in the city of Tehran. The Baha is commemorate this day. The Arabic word Baha u llah means the glory of God . Formerly named Husayn-Ali Nuri, Baha u llah was a sensitive, intellectual, humane and a wise person from his childhood. He was known for his moral conduct and devotion to religion.

The celebration of the birth of the Bahaullah is a part of the nine holy days in the Faith when all the Baha is refrain from working. Turning down a financially rewarding position in the government, Baha u llah became the follower of the Prophet Bab who foretold of the advent of a prophet greater than himself. Prophet Bahaullah had received a revelation from God that he was the chosen one.

Baha u llah professed the oneness of humanity, oneness of God and oneness of religion. He stressed on the equality of women and men, universal education and the need to live a life of virtue. The day Baha u llah declared that he was the one that Bab foretold about, marked the birth of the Bahaai faith or the first day of the Ridvan (Paradise).

Hand of the Cause of God, Ali Akbar Furutan compiled childhood stories of the Baha u llah in his book Stories of Bahaullah .

Baha u llah had a well-to-do upbringing and a noble education along with learning riding, calligraphy and Arabic. In his youth, he came to be known as the Father of the Poor for his generosity and charitable activities. He resolved problems which none were able to. He became a great follower of Bab and after Bab s execution, he was also imprisoned on false charges. His property was confiscated and he was even sent to an exile in Baghdad. However, the forty years of imprisonment could not affect the spiritual man.

Baha is celebrate the birth of Baha u llah by reading from the Bible, Bhagvad Gita or the Quran. In just about 160 years, there are more than 5 million people who are followers of the Bahaai faith all over the world. The birth of Baha u llah is celebrated by the Baha is just like Christmas is celebrated by the Christians.

The first day of Ridvan falling on 21st April, is a very special historic day for the Baha is . The Day of Supreme Felicity as described by Bahaullah for the first day of Ridvan, marks the beginning of the 12-day festival of Ridvan. Ridvan is celebrated to commemorate the days of Bahaullah in the Garden of Ridvan after his exile from Baghdad. This is where he declared to some of the people gathered there that he was the messenger of God.

Though there is no particular ritual, most Bahai bodies hold elections for their governing bodies on the first day of Ridvan. This Holy Day is declared a holiday and the Bahai s are not expected to work on this day.

History of Ridvan

On 22nd April, 1863 Bahaullah left his house and moved to the Garden of Ridvan after he was exiled from Baghdad to Istabul. On the afternoon on which he entered the Garden he declared the Festival of Ridvan, which continued for 12 days including the days of his arrival (the first day), the arrival of his family (the ninth day) and his departure (the twelfth day). It was during his stay in the Garden of Ridvan he declared his mission to humanity and that he is the Promised one. After nearly 10 years later, The Kitab-I-Aqdas declared Ridvan as one of the Most Great Festivals . Since then this festival is celebrated every year by all the followers of Bahai Faith all around the World.

According to the Bahai s Calendar, the Festival is to begin on the 32nd day of the Bahai year, which usually falls on April 21. The festival starts two hours before the sunset, when Bahaullah entered the Garden of Ridvan.

All the three days, the first, the ninth and the twelfth day Bahai s do not work. People observe prayers, meetings and the celebrations include feasting, dining, giving gifts to friends and alms to the needy.

The Ridvan Garden

Ridvan means Paradise. Bahaullah renamed the Garden Najibiyyih, situated across the Tigris River as the Garden of Ridvan on his arrival there after his exile. Bahaullah compares his move from the Most Great House (his house in Baghdad) to the Garden of Ridvan, to Muhammad s travel from Mecca to Medina.

Bahaullah s Three Announcements

After his arrival in the Garden, Bahaullah claimed his prophet hood to his son Abdu l-Baha and four others. Apart from this, he made three announcements. The first announcement was abrogating religious war by the followers of Bahai faith, which was permitted in Islam and under certain conditions by the B b. The second was that there would not be another Manifestation of God for another 1000 years; the third was that all the names of God were fully manifest in all things.

The First day of Ridvan is thus not only the King of Festivals as referred by the Bahai s, it could also be said to have marked the beginning of the Bahai Faith.

Norooz or the New Day is a symbol of piety and godliness. The celebration starts on the eve of the last Wednesday also known as Red Wednesday of the year to be parted soon and it eventually progresses through the 13th day of the New Year. Norooz is an occasion to make merry the arrival of the departed souls of the family.

The New Day is a specialty of the culture of Iran and it is also an integral part of the Zoroastrian religion. Foods offered on this special day are significant as each item has its own symbolic implication. Apple, garlic, sprouts, vinegar, pudding, fruits of the Lotus tree and sumac berries all are special with unique significance. The Zoroastrians gaily celebrate the birthday of Zarthushtra on the sixth day of No Ruz. Amazingly, this festival falls on the day of vernal equinox each year.

The Persian point of view

According to a Parsi, the New Day or the New Year is a recurring f te of the spring equinox. Norooz is a tradition and a part of the cultures of ancient Mesopotamia, the Babylonians, the Akaddians and the Assyrians (people living in southwest and south central Asia), the Persians, the Medes, the Elamites, the Chaldeans and the Sumerians.

Norooz is a widespread religious celebration including territories, which have an extension from the Aral Lake and Indus River to the East, the Caspian Sea to the North, the Black and the Mediterranean Sea to the West and the Persian Gulf to the South. History also relates that the first day of spring was pragmatically followed by the Europeans during the middle ages. On the other hand, during the 18th century, the American pilgrims observed the first day of spring as the common New Year .

What do the followers of Norooz do on this special occasion?

They visit relatives and compeers, behave respectfully with the elders, try to give up antagonistic feelings and share cordiality with the enemies, pay visit to the resting place of the departed souls, and donate or contribute for the sake of the poor and the sick. The thirteenth day of the festival, ends on 1st April and on this day people feel great in receiving and offering gifts and presents of all sorts. On 1st April, all people jubilate throughout the day in their respective countries through dance, songs and plays.

Aficionados of the Fasli a variant of the Zoroastrian Calendar observes No Ruz as the first day of the New Year. The other derivatives of the Zoroastrian calendar celebrate Norooz two times each year. One is celebrated on 21st March as the beginning of the Spring season and it is usually regarded as Jamshedi Norouz. The other is celebrate either in the month of July or August and it is generally referred to as new year s eve or new year s day.

The concept of Norooz has lot to do with immortal Zoroastrian themes of good luck (light) and evil. According to an ancient Zoroastrian theme in epic, No Ruz is celebrated as a victory of the good over the evil.

In brief, Nu Roz or Norooz as it is better known as is significantly a celebration of life itself.

Simchot Torah is the day when the annual cycle of reading of the Torah is completed and the new cycle begins. On Simchot Torah, the last passage of Deuteronomy is concluded and immediately the first passage of the Torah, the Genesis is read thus continuing an unbroken cycle of reading the Holy Book of Judaism.

The Date Of Simchot Torah

Simchot Torah is observed on the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret which immediately succeeds the seven day holiday of Sukkot in the Autumn. In 2006 Simchot Torah took place on October 15.

The Festivities Of Simchot Torah

The festivities begin with the evening service. The Torah scrolls of the synagogue are removed from the ark and are carried around the synagogue in a series of seven circuits or processions known as Hakafot. Many people are given the chance to carry Torah in Hakafot. Though, Hakafot means only one round of the synagogue people often overflow the streets dancing and singing with the Torah.

The Orthodox and Conservative Jewish synagogues announces each circuit by invocations imploring to God to save us (Hoshiah Nah) and the circuit ends with the refrain answer us on the day we call (Annenuu Bayom Karenu). The traditional chants of the Orthodox synagogues include liturgical verses about the Torah, Biblical songs and verses about Torah, songs telling the story of the restoration of the House of David and the Temple in Jerusalem and the Messianic yearnings.

In many synagogues, drinking hard liquor on Simchot Torah is customary. Simchot Torah is one of the only two occasions (the other is Purim) when public drinking of liquor is allowed.

After Hakafot, the last Parsha of the Torah, the Deuteronomy is read. It has become customary to give all the members the honor of reciting the blessing of Torah. This honor is called Aliyah. Often the passages of the Torah are repeated until all the members have recited the blessings.

Children are encouraged to participate in the Simchot Torah ceremonies. As per custom, the children are given Simchot Torah flags to carry as they participate in the festivities of singing and dancing. According to custom they are given tasty candied apples as a symbol to remind them that they are surrounded by the sweetness of the Torah.

This day is also a fun day. People recite chants in funny accents, some sprays water on the Hazzan (reader) when he reads the prayer for rain, parodies of songs are sung, people steal items of the officious people and many more tricks are played on Simchot Torah.

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.

Tisha B’av is a day of mourning, a day that is remembered for a number of gloomy events in Jewish history. On that very day, the First Temple was demolished in 586 BCE and so was the second temple in 70 CE. Again, this date also holds the start of the exclusion of the Jews from Spain. Tisha B Av is most significant amongst the other three days of mourning in relation to the destruction of the First and Second Temples.

The History

It is found that, it all starts with the Bein ha-Metsarim – a mourning period on the 17th of Tammuz, about three weeks before Tisha B Av. This was the day when the walls of Jerusalem were demolished before the Second Temple was put to pieces. Mourning practices as well as fasting are seen here on this day. No weddings and religious Jews indulge in cutting their hair or listening to music.

Like the Day of Atonement, this holy day stretches from sunset on the eve of the 9th of Av till sunset the next day. There are restrictions on physical pleasures on this day. There are other prohibitions as well like washing, wearing leather shoes, etc. Moreover, sleeping on the ground and sitting on a chair at daytime are to be done away with.

Reading the Book of Lamentations is required whatsoever. The book tells about the fed-up state of Jerusalem and the Jewish people after destruction. It also gives explanation for the diktat of destruction issued by God against the Jewish people s sins. The Lamentations are to be read being seated on the floor and by the candlelight.

The Jews mourn as they recall all their ancestors who were thrown out from the land of Israel. In fact, after the First Temple was destroyed, the Jews were exiled to Babylonia only allowing them to return to their homes some fifty years later. What followed then was the expulsion of the Jews, which was just after the Second Temple, was demolished.

It is observed that, before the holiday actually commences, having light dinner falls within the custom. And dinner takes in hard-boiled eggs and lentils. They are to be had on the days of mourning.

Thus, you will find that Tisha B Av is the day where the Jews demonstrate their grief dedicated to the myriad tragedies in Jewish history.

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.