tradition and change. It has also maintained a continuity of ideology, ritual, and practice. LITURGY AND HOLY DAYS The Jewish religion makes much use of rituals, or ceremonies, that dramatize and make vivid a great ideal. Notice  how  each  of  the  holy  days  described  in  the following paragraphs carries a moral lesson. Passover Passover  is  celebrated  every  spring  for  a  period  of eight days. Passover is the Jewish symbol of liberty, recalling the march to freedom of the ancient Israelites from  Egyptian  slavery. Shevuoth Celebrated  in  June,  Shevuoth giving of the Ten Commandments. Rosh  Hashanah commemorates  the Observed  in  September  or  October,  Rosh  Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is the time for examining  one’s  deeds  of  the  past  12  months  and resolving to live a better life. The Shofar, or ram’s horn, is blown to mark the beginning of Rosh Hashanah. Yom Kippur Yom Kippur is the Jewish day of atonement. It is a solemn  period  for  asking  God’s  forgiveness. Hanukkah Hanukkah, the Feast of Lights, is celebrated in December. For eight days, candles are lit as a reminder of  the  Jews’  battle  for  religious  freedom  in  ancient Palestine. Sabbath The Jewish Sabbath is observed from Friday at sundown  until  Saturday  at  sundown.  The  Sabbath involves  many  rituals,  such  as  the  lighting  of  candles and the drinking of wine. The wine ceremony is called the Kiddish. Other rituals of the Sabbath, such as the songs, length of the service, language (use of Hebrew or English),  and  other  practices,  may  vary. The  basic  equipment  required  for  a  Jewish  worship service  is  shown  in  figure  1-13.  The  basic  order  of worship for a Jewish service is shown in figure 1-14. Following the Jewish service of worship is the Oneg Shabbat,  a  time  of  fellowship,  pleasant  conversation, and light refreshment. Religious  Leaders A rabbi, or teacher, is the appointed spiritual leader who guides and represents the Jewish faith group. The rabbi conducts the worship services. The rabbi is often assisted by a cantor, who is a synagogue official who sings  or  chants  liturgical  music  and  leads  the congregation  in  prayer.  There  are  also  elected  lay readers, both in the congregation and the community. Any  approved  lay  person  knowledgeable  in  worship  can conduct a service in the absence of a Jewish chaplain or rabbi. Public  Worship There are fixed times for public worship. A minyan of 10 males is needed for a public worship service. When the minyan is not available, individuals must worship  privately. The  public  place  of  worship  for  Jews  is  the synagogue. It is usually oriented to the east so that worshipers can face Jerusalem when they pray. The synagogue  contains  the  Ark  which  houses  the  Torah. Dietary  Laws Judaism requires an observance of certain dietary laws or restrictions called Kosher. In the strictest sense, Jews are forbidden to eat pork and its derivatives. Animals that do not have split hooves and chew their cud are forbidden sources of food. Seafood without fins and  scales  and  certain  fowl  are  also  forbidden.  There must  be  a  complete  separation  of  milk  and  meat, including separate utensils to be used in the preparation of milk and meat. The degree of adherence to Jewish dietary traditions varies widely among Jewish personnel. You can rely upon Jewish chaplains and Jewish lay readers to help you in matters concerning dietary laws. Frequently, a food  service  officer  or  a  Mess  Management  Specialist can make available foods that are permitted, even to a strict observer of Kosher. These foods include fruit, juice, dry cereal, eggs in the shell, canned salmon, tuna fish,   sardines,   and   raw   vegetables.   At   some installations, you can obtain permission for Jewish service personnel to have kosher food heated separately 1-29