Rosh Hashanah Complicates Matters

One complicating wrench in the Wall Street bailout is religious. At sundown tonight, the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah commences. Several of the key Congressional players in the negotiations are Jewish, including Democrats Barney Frank and Rahm Emanuel, and Republican Eric Cantor. During a press conference, Frank stated that he won’t be available tomorrow because of the holiday.

Rosh Hashanah, which translates to “head of the year,” is considered to be one of the 10 days of repentance in the Jewish year. While it is not as holy a Holiday as Yom Kippur, the Torah still stipulates that Jews shall not work on Rosh Hashanah, just as they are not to work on the day of Shabbat.