Here are some fun facts to entertain you and help you navigate the whole thing, because it is A. Whole. Thing. Complete with all the craziness, customs and special little quirks unique to Israel that come with the territory.
- How many days you will have off from work changes each year and depends on the moon
Jewish holidays are set by a lunar calendar, which can be both a bit confusing and awe-inspiring (there’s nothing like looking up at the brilliant super moon perfectly aligned with the harvest holiday and wondering how the heck our ancestors had it all figured out).
2. It’s a healthy holiday, and here’s why
Honey and pomegranates are the main symbols of Rosh Hashana in Israel (sorry, apples!) and so are consumed in plenty. Natural bee honey is known to be a healthier sweetener than is refined white sugar.
4. You’re going to hear a shofar or two when you’re trying to watch your Netflix
The shofar is an important symbol on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Its sound has great historical and religious significance. However wondrous, producing a sound from blowing into a ram’s horn takes practice.
5. Come late October you’ll see sukkahs everywhere, even after Sukkot
Visit restaurants, hotels, houses, or even just pass by an apartment with balconies in mid- to late October, and you will see sukkahs (outdoor structures with open roofs covered by palm branches) EVERYWHERE.
6. Yom Kippur is the greenest day of the year
Because Yom Kippur is a day when driving is more than just a little frowned upon, even secular Israelis abstain from starting an engine on this one day a year. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t see anyone out and about.