Jews worldwide are now joining in Selichot ("forgiveness') prayers leading up to the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which this year begins on the night of October 3. Selichot prayers will continue daily after Rosh Hashanah until the eve of Yom Kippur.
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Hundreds of expelled residents of Gush Katif and northern Gaza gathered at Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem for the prayers, which usually start shortly after midnight. Communities that cannot gather a quorum (minyan) of 10 men say Selichot immediately before morning prayers.
The purpose of Selichot is to arouse people to repent during the period before Rosh Hashanah, which is considered the Day of Judgment. Jews make a special effort during the period to give more charity and to relate positively to others.
In the United States, New Orleans Rabbi Yaakov Rivkin will speak at the Selichot prayers at a Chabad garnering in Asbury, New Jersey. Rabbi Rivkin and Chabad have been active in the relief effort after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.
New York rabbis have continued an annual custom, arranging Selichot prayers at Ground Zero, the site of the Twin Towers, destroyed in the September 11 terrorist attack four years ago.
Hundreds of expelled residents of Gush Katif and northern Gaza gathered at Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem for the prayers, which usually start shortly after midnight. Communities that cannot gather a quorum (minyan) of 10 men say Selichot immediately before morning prayers.
The purpose of Selichot is to arouse people to repent during the period before Rosh Hashanah, which is considered the Day of Judgment. Jews make a special effort during the period to give more charity and to relate positively to others.
In the United States, New Orleans Rabbi Yaakov Rivkin will speak at the Selichot prayers at a Chabad garnering in Asbury, New Jersey. Rabbi Rivkin and Chabad have been active in the relief effort after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.
New York rabbis have continued an annual custom, arranging Selichot prayers at Ground Zero, the site of the Twin Towers, destroyed in the September 11 terrorist attack four years ago.