High Holy Days

Professor Ismar Elbogen avers that it was a medieval usage, reflecting a change in the mood of Rosh Hashanah from a predominantly joyous celebration to a more subdued day that was a response to a period of persecution.

Some descriptions depict God as sitting upon a throne, while books containing the deeds of all humanity are opened before Him.

Prayer services are longer than on a regular shabbat or other Jewish holidays, and include (on weekdays) the blowing of the shofar.

On the afternoon of the first (or the second, if the first was Saturday) day, the ritual tashlikh is performed, in which sins are "cast" into open water, such as a river, sea, or lake.

[2][4] It is held that, while judgment on each person is pronounced on Rosh Hashanah, it is not made absolute until Yom Kippur.

The Ten Days are therefore an opportunity to mend one's ways in order to alter the judgment in one's favor.

It provides one last chance to seek forgiveness and offer prayers before the conclusion of the holiday.

[citation needed] Generally, throughout most of the year, Jewish worship services are open to all, regardless of affiliation, and membership or payment of any fee is not a requirement in order to attend.

In both cases, the card is stored inside an envelope with the congregant's name and other personal contact details, and the temple reaches them after the High Holidays are over.