Maria Trad – Mtv
Holidays, joys, repentance, and forgiveness… This is how Israel receives its coming weeks, at a time when the region is living under the influence of open wars and flammable fronts at any moment. How will the holiday season pass this year amidst this tension?
On September 11, the Jewish New Year, “Rosh Hashana,” falls, and extends until the 13th, forming an occasion for self-reflection and opening a new page. On September 14, “Zum Gedaliah” comes, the day of fasting and remembrance associated with the events that followed the destruction of the First Temple.
As for the climax, it comes with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which begins on the evening of September 20 and continues until the evening of the 21st. It is the holiest day of the Jewish year, and is designated for repentance, prayer, and asking for forgiveness, and is accompanied by fasting for about 25 hours.
This year’s holiday season comes in light of a very sensitive political and security scene, with a high level of alert on various fronts, which raises a basic question: Will these days pass quietly, or is the region facing a new escalation?
In this context, journalist Ibrahim Rayhan, in an interview with the MTV website, pointed out that “the calendar of Jewish holidays is a special calendar,” explaining that “there are fears of a repetition of what happened on October 7 or of any retaliation occurring during the coming period.”
He pointed out that “there is military and security vigilance on all fronts, especially with the Israeli elections approaching in October,” considering that “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to whiten his image before his people and demonstrate his ability to protect them. He also wants to invest any security or military title in the elections, whether it is related to Ali Al-Taher, Gaza, or the Iranian file.”
He said: “There is no doubt that the coming period will be tense,” pointing to the possibility of an escalation or attack, especially after Israel announced its control over Ali Al-Taher and the return of Israeli raids on the Western Bekaa. He asked: “Has the Bekaa returned to the circle of targets?”
He stressed that “the level of tension is very high,” pointing out that “regional developments may open the door to further escalation,” adding: “We do not know what awaits us even after the Israeli and American elections,” stressing that “there is no single clear scenario for the next stage, in light of the multiple possibilities and rapid developments.”
Holidays, joys, repentance, and forgiveness… Will their repentance be sincere? Perhaps “Yom Kippur” is actually a day for holding oneself accountable… How can a people pray to their God during the day, and kill and destroy at night?
