The Holiday of Yom Kippur, and Ramadan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Holiday of Yom Kippur, and Ramadan - Essay Example Despite the international tension and dividing events, some people among the Muslim and Jewish community still attempt to seize this occasion of similar holidays to narrow this gap in order to reach across the political divides to find a common ground, even if it is through the spiritual links between the religions of both communities. The Holidays of Yom Kippur and Ramadan both have spiritual roots, yet for different religions. Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday whereas Ramadan, which ends with eid-ul-fitr, is for Muslims (Blass 22); both of these involve fasting but in different patterns. Each of these holidays is in a period which is not fixed in the Gregorian calendar; rather, it has roots in their traditional calendars. Both Muslims and Jews follow a lunar calendar, yet their calculations are not the same. This determines the fact the Yom Kippur, the holiest holiday for Jews, falls during the Muslims holy Month of Ramadan only once in almost three decades. The literal meaning of word Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. This Jewish holiday begins 10 days after Rosh Hashanah. The Biblical reference to this holiday is â€Å"You should do no work throughout that day. For it is a Day of Atonement ("Yom Kippur") on which expiation is made on your behalf before the Lord your God. Indeed, any person who does not practice self-denial throughout that day shall be cut off from his people " Leviticus 23:27. Ramadan, on the other hand, is the 9th month of Islamic calendar (Cornell 21). It is compulsory for all adult Muslims as the month of fasting. It is said in the Quran: â€Å"O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation† Al-Baqara [2:183]. Yom Kippur is a 25 hour fast, this holiday ends in a day (Escobar 53), whereas Ramadan is a whole month of fasting from dawn till sunset everyday. Both of these, although, are celebrated according to the Jewish and the Islamic calendars. Since both of these