Originally published in Mircea Eliade (ed.), Encyclopedia of Religion (1987), vol. 12, pp. 473-6. RO’SH HA-SHANAH AND YOM KIPPUR, holy days prominent in the Jewish religious calendar, mark the beginning of the new year and set off the special period traditionally designated for self-scrutiny and repentance. They are referred to as Yamim Nora’im (“days of awe”),…