Diwali
A Primer for Nonpractitioners
Overview
[Source: Quoted from ReformJudiasm.org]
"Yom Kippur means "Day of Atonement" and refers to the annual Jewish observance of fasting, prayer, and repentance. Part of the High Holidays, which also includes Rosh HaShanah (the Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
Yom Kippur is the moment in Jewish time when we dedicate our mind, body, and soul to reconciliation with our fellow human beings, ourselves, and God. As the [Jewish] New Year begins, we commit to self-reflection and inner change. As both seekers and givers of pardon, we turn first to those whom we have wronged, acknowledging our sins and the pain we have caused them.
We are also commanded to forgive, to be willing to let go of any resentment we feel towards those who have committed offenses against us. Only then can we turn to God and ask for forgiveness. As we read in the Yom Kippur liturgy, “And for all these, God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, and grant us atonement."​​
Dates
​Autumn, date varies. In 2023, Yom Kippur begins on Sept 23 and finishes at sunset on Sept 25 in the United States.​
​
Focus
-
Fasting: 25-hour fast to focus on repentance, purification, and spiritual health
-
Prayer: a focus on synagogue and prayer
-
Forgiveness: to ask others for their forgiveness for perceived wrongs, in the days before Yom Kippur
​
Stories and Figures
Common Customs​
-
No bathing, lotions, makeup, deodorant, touching
-
Wearing white
-
Spending time in prayer/ synagogue
-
Breaking the fast with family
-
Hearing the call of the shofur
-
Chanting Kol Nidrei three times during the services.
Learn More
​
A Primer for Nonpractitioners
Brief Summary
Diwali (pronounced dee-vah-lee) is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. It is a five day festival, with the main night of Diwali occurring on the third day.
The BBC writes, "The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, although the actual legends that go with the festival are different in different parts of India.
Diwali is known as the 'festival of lights' because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small earthenware oil lamps called diyas. These lamps, which are traditionally fueled by mustard oil, are placed in rows in windows, doors and outside buildings to decorate them. The lamps are lit to help the goddess Lakshmi find her way into people's homes. They also celebrate one of the Diwali legends, which tells of the return of Rama and Sita to Rama's kingdom after fourteen years of exile.
​
For many Indians the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. People start the new business year at Diwali, and some Hindus will say prayers to the goddess for a successful year. Some people build a small altar to the goddess and decorate it with money and with pictures of the rewards of wealth, such as cars and houses. Hindus will leave the windows and doors of their houses open so that Lakshmi can come in.
Diwali is also used to celebrate a successful harvest. Traditionally sweets and dried fruit were very common gifts to exchange, but the festival has become more commercial. Diwali is also traditionally a time to clean and redecorate homes and buy new clothes."
Dates
​Late autumn, varies; usually late-October to mid-November.
​
Purposes
-
Celebrate the victory of good over evil, light over darkness.
-
Wish for good fortune for the coming year
​
Stories and Figures
-
Ramayana, the Hindu epic in which prince Rama defeats the evil demon Ravana and rescues his wife, Sita.
Learn More
A brief overview of Diwali
Diwali celebrations in India
The Legend of the Battle of Rama and Ravana
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/pages/article/diwali
Ravana, who had ten arms and ten heads, was the wicked king of the island of Sri Lanka, who kidnapped the wife of Rama. Rama had been in exile for 14 years because of a disagreement as to whether he or his brother should be the next king in Ayodhya. After a great battle Rama killed the demon and recovered his wife. Rama's return with his wife Sita to Ayodhya and his subsequent coronation as king is celebrated at Diwali.
When Rama and Sita first returned to Ayodhya it was a dark moonless night and they couldn't see where they were going. Their people put little lamps outside their houses so that the new king and queen could find their way, thus beginning the tradition of the festival of lights. [...]
​
Hindus interpret the Diwali story based upon where they live. But there's one common theme no matter where people celebrate: the victory of good over evil."
17th Century painting of battle, British Library, public domain
Respectful Engagement through a UU Lens
​The Hindu holiday of Diwali can provide UUs with spiritual reminders and lessons. Explore further for ways to engage in respectful ways with these lessons.​
​
UU Deep Dive​​
​
Resonant UU Beliefs
UU Resonance & Connections
These suggestions are intended for use by nonpractitioner UUs to learn from and appreciate this day. It is not meant to suggest what active practitioners would do, as they obviously have their own spiritual and cultural knowledge.
​Explore further and engage in respectful ways with the wisdom found in this holy day.​
​
UU Deep Dive​
-
On Repentance and Repair by Danya Ruttenberg (UUA 2023-24 Common Read) ($)
Resonant UU Beliefs
UU Principles
-
​2) Justice, equity and compassion in human relations
-
3) Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth
-
5) The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process
​
UU Shared Values
-
Transformation
-
Generosity
​
UU Connections​
-
Learn about Jewish Unitarian Universalists.
-
Jewish UU Readings On WorshipWeb
-
https://www.chalicedays.org/post/rosh-hashanah-opening-reading
This beautiful performance of Kol Nidrei was shared during the pandemic by Joel Chapman, the UU San Mateo music director at the time. He was accompanied by UUSM accompanist, Paul Zawilski.
Activities
These suggestions are intended for use by nonpractitioner UUs to learn from and appreciate this day. It is not meant to suggest what active practitioners would do, as they obviously have their own spiritual and cultural knowledge. It is also not meant to suggest that by trying these activities that one is celebrating the holiday or its traditions. We should approach any exploration with respect and humility, looking for teaching moments shared with us by our friends and neighbors that show us wisdom and enrich our lives.
Find a Related Activity
Respectful activities allow us to better understand the gist of the days while respecting those who practice the tradition.​
Respectful Engagement through a UU Lens
Activities
These suggestions are intended for use by nonpractitioner UUs to learn from and appreciate this day. It is not meant to suggest what active practitioners would do, as they obviously have their own spiritual and cultural knowledge. It is also not meant to suggest that by trying these activities one is celebrating the holiday or its traditions. We should approach any exploration with respect and humility, looking for teaching moments shared with us by our friends and neighbors that show us wisdom and enrich our lives.
Wish for a Sweet Year
It is traditional to ask for a piece of honey cake (lekach) from a rabbi, parent or mentor the evening before Yom Kippur. It symbolizes hope for a sweet year. One recipe can be viewed here. With family and friends, discuss foods you associate with other holidays, and/or talk about what hope for a sweet year would look like. You might try making the honey cake, or offer a snack of apples and honey which are traditional foods during Rosh HaShannah. What do you appreciate about these culinary customs?
​
Get to Know Your Neighbors Better
Learn more about the synagogues in your community. Practice the greeting for Yom Kippur: "shana tova" (shaw-na' toe-va') emphasis on the second syllables.
​
Embrace the Spiritual Lesson of Repentance
A key lesson we can all learn is to embrace repentance and forgiveness. Send one or more emails to people you wish to offer an apology to for real or perceived harm.
