[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19112]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         JEWISH HOLIDAY SEASON

  Mr. FRIST. Tomorrow, Saturday September 23--the first day of the 
month of Tishri on the Hebrew Calendar--Jewish people all over the 
world will celebrate the holiday of Rosh Hashana. On the 10th of 
Tishri, October 2 on the Gregorian calendar, will mark the holiday of 
Yom Kippur--The Day of Atonement. These two days: one a spiritually 
important New Years celebration, the other an opportunity for solemn 
reflection coupled with a recognition of God's mercy, rank alongside 
the weekly Sabbath as the most important holidays in Judaism.
  The coming weeks bring two other important, joyous holidays: Sukkot--
a commemoration of the mercy of God that allowed the Israelites to 
survive while wandering in the desert and Simchat Torah, a celebration 
of the completion of the annual cycle of readings from the scriptures 
most sacred to Jews.
  In their observances, these holidays run the gamut. Jewish law 
requires fasting on Yom Kippur while the celebration of Sukkot focuses 
on festive meals eaten in a temporary shelter. All of them, however, 
have a common thread: a focus on justice, on the Eternal, and upon 
improving--healing--the world. On ethnical monotheism. All these are 
important traditions that Judaism transmitted to Christianity and 
Islam.
  As we enter the Jewish holiday season, I urge all Americans to 
reflect on the need to heal the world, to work for peace, and to do 
justice.
  And, on this, the day before Rosh Hashana. I wish all of my Jewish 
friends and colleagues a Happy New Year. L'Shana Tova.

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