Thursday, September 22, 2011

Dipping Apple In Honey

One week from today we celebrate the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana). As usual, along with seasonal greetings for a good and sweet year (Shana Tova Umetuka), we pass round some amusing or entertaining animation or youtube clip that has taken our (collective) fancy. One of this year's offerings has particularly captured the imagination and has had over half a million hits so far. So of course, as I hum the tune whilst walking along the road, cleaning the kitchen, etc... I can't just enjoy it as a bit of amusing frippery, I have to analyse exactly why I love this video so much - and it's not just the lively music, though that does have a lot to do with it.

Rosh Hashana, like all religious occasions, is laden with symbolism. Not only is it the New Year but also a New Start, a New Leaf, almost a New Beginning. We are supposed to use this time  to reflect on our deeds of the past year and repent for any misdoings. We have to ask forgiveness from those we may have offended or hurt, even accidently or unknowingly. We blow, or at least listen to the shofar (a ram's horn) as a reminder to us and to God that he can and does listen to our prayers (i.e. he listened to Abraham's pleas and didn't require him to slaughter his son Isaac - instead giving him a ram to sacrifice.) Actually I just made that explanation up but the shofar certainly sounds impressive and makes you sit up and behave. We wear white to symbolise our working towards a pure soul and we pray that, at the end of the holiday period - in about three weeks time, God will inscribe us in the book of life (i.e. no death this year please). There are also pomegranates and fish - both symbols of fertility (why not?). And of course we all reunite with family and friends for big celebratory meals - obviously.

Dipping the apple in the honey? For a sweet life! I mean, if you're going to survive the year, you want to enjoy it - right?

So The Fountainheads from Ein Prat (click here for background information) recorded this Rosh Hashana message which includes all of the above symbolism - and something else. For me it's another step out of the shtetl. Although we tend to idealise shtetl life and like to think that all our great-great-grandfathers were Tevye the milkman from Fiddler On The Roof, there is a danger in trying to live a modern life simultaneously with an ancient religion. It can pull you back and make you wary of progress. It can alienate people who are looking for relevence in today's society and with today's sensitivities. Dip Your Apple In The Honey is a young, modern, refreshing interpretation of the significance of Rosh Hashana. It makes you want to be a part of it. To share this future with these people. Enjoy!

17 comments:

  1. You put it so well! And may I add, the vitality, "chen" and humour, the absence of crudity and vulgarity, are a source of encouragement for our future. If these young adults are part of our next generation, no room for despair!

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  2. Totally, Leonie. I wasn't that excited about Rosh Hashana but how can you not be when watching this?

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  3. Positive, happy and upbeat. that makes it appealing in my eyes! From my perspective (ex-dancer) I liked the dancing segments! In fact I'd have liked to see more...maybe a crowd. Street dancing,Bollywood style perhaps!!

    Nice positiove message and another insight into your interesting culture:-)

    xx Jazzy

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  4. I didn't know you were a dancer Jazzy. I also love the dadncing - makes you feel like getting up and joining in.

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  5. Well it certainly had my six year old bopping about! We loved the angry bird apples too! It was great to learn something more about Rosh Hashana, thanks for that! Emma :)

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  6. Ah that's so lovely Emma - thanks for commenting.

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  7. Happy New Year
    Shana Tova Umetuka (hope that's right)

    So lovely to hear about this lovely festival. It sounds joyous.

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  8. Thankd Rebecca and Shana Tova Umetuka is absolutely right. It does sound joyous except that there are millions of housewives wondering how they are going to prepare six big festive meals in a row... :)

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  9. I just discovered this blog. Very interesting. I'll be back.

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  10. Cecelia, Thank you for stopping by and reading. I read some of your blog too - very interesting story there, I will have also have to go back and get to know you.

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  11. sounds like a lot of fun! My daughter is "doing" Judaism in RE at school and has been telling me all about the Jewish harvest festival and she wants to make manna biscuits with me... Wonder if she'll be talking about Rosh Hashana next week ;-)

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  12. Hey, this is wonderful! I'm not Jewish but hmm, can I dip my apple in the honey, nonetheless? :) xxxx

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  13. Becky - let me know about manna biscuits, I've never heard of them. I thought manna had been discontinued after the Exodus ;)

    Jane - you remind me of the 1960s comedy albums: You don't have to be Jewish. I just found all the skits on youtube - real borsht belt humour from NY and summers in the Catskills. Think Dirty Dancing without the dancing.

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  14. Thank you for giving me an insight in to your life. Happy New year

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  15. Thanks Jen, and a Happy New School Year to you and your family.

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  16. Wishign you a really Happy New Year for tomorrow.

    Enjoy! I certainly enjoyed the clip. Mich x

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  17. Thanks Michelle, it's actually just starting now as we do from sundown to sundown for these things.

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