It has been suggested that all Jewish holidays can be summarized in this simple explanation: “Our enemies tried to destroy us, God gave us victory, let’s eat!”

There is certainly a “grain” of truth to this delightful saying, and food is always an important part of every Jewish gathering (holiday or otherwise), but there is a lot more we can experience at the “Feasts of the Lord,” as they are called in Scripture.

In this series, we will highlight the all-important Fall Festivals, or Hagai Tishrei celebrations that begin with the New Moon on the first day of the month Tishrei, the 7th month in the Jewish lunar calendar. This year, the new moon will appear at sunset (God willing!) on the eve of September 18. Announced with a blast of the shofar, it is the Jewish New Year and inauguration of this climactic month on the biblical calendar and the beginning of the ten “Days of Awe.”

Jewish holidays for today

Jewish holidays are arranged according to seasonal events throughout the...