The High Holy Days

We were in Jerusalem for all the Biblical Fall Feasts: Rosh HaShanah (Feast of trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles).  We were also there for Simchat Torah. (Below is a picture of a sukkah)

On Rosh HaShanah shofars were being sounded all day long, something you can only hear in Israel.  We even bought a small shofar for 40 shekels! 

After Rosh HaShanah was my birthday.  Most of the time we cooked our meals at home, but since it was my birthday, we walked to a small shop nearby for some chicken shawarmas.  They were delicious!  

For my birthday, we also had a dairy (milk) cake from a bakery.  Part of it even tasted like ice cream! 

Next came Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement when we pray and repent.  We fasted for 25 hours, no eating or drinking.  We began and broke the fast at the Messianic congregation.  The fast was broken with a meal.  Food had never tasted so good in my life!  

For Sukkot people from all over the world came to Jerusalem.  Sukkahs (little tents) were put up everywhere, beside restaurants, on roofs, and even in tiny balconies!  

Some friends (that we just met in Israel) also invited us to see their Sukkah.

We also got to help decorate the Sukkah, which was a lot of fun.  

During Sukkot, people also wave the lulav, and say a special blessing.  

Every year in Sukkot there is a special parade where people from all over the world come to Jerusalem to bless Israel.  This picture was when the parade ended and the Chinese group was marching home.

Right afterwards, in Simchat Torah, Jewish people celebrate the completion of the Torah cycle.  They carry the Scrolls and dance around in a circle.  Everyone was rejoicing, even in the streets!