This year the Jewish New Year will begin at sundown on Wednesday, September 20th. The date is different every year as the traditional Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar. Unlike New Year's Day in the United States, where many drink a great deal the night before and watch football the next day, Rosh Hashana or Jewish New Year is a very High Holy day.
The Jewish New Year for observant Jewish folks is mostly spent within the Synagogue saying prayers. Also; Jewish practitioners perform no work on this day as it is a Sabbath.
Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.
Leviticus 23:24-25 NASB
Basis for the holiday is found in the TORAH (Old Testament) in the 23rd Chapter of Leviticus. The number seven (7) is associated many times in Jewish tradition with rest.
There are a number of traditions performed on Rosh Hashana, one of which is the blowing of the Shofar. The shofar is a traditional type of trumpet manufactured from the horn of a ram. A total of 100 notes are played each day on the shofar in the synagogue.
Another custom is eating apples dipped in honey. Some folks also dip their bread in honey. This ritual symbolizes looking forward to a sweet New Year. Resolutions are also made during the holiday, much like the American practice. Rosh Hashana is a time of personal introspection and search for clarity.
Rosh Hashana is followed by the holiday Yom Kippur, which falls on Friday, September 29 this year. This is the highest of the Jewish High Holy days and is also known as the Day of Atonement.
I have tried to make a short post to define what Rosh Hoshana is all about and hope it was helpful. You may learn more about Rosh Hashana at these websites:
I want to take this time to wish everyone a prosperous, peaceful, and abundant future. May you always have joy and your love ones surround you.
In the traditional greeting given by observers of this holiday,
L'Shana Tova!
(Have a good year!)
