All About Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. As such, it is a time for Jews to review the mistakes they made in the past year and to resolve to make improvements in the upcoming year.

Rosh Hashanah Origin

The origin of Rosh Hashanah is Biblical (Lev. 23:23-25): "a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts (of the Shofar, the ram's horn)." The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar) and Yom Zikaron Teruah (the day of remembering the sounding of the shofar).

In Talmudic times, Rosh Hashanah became a celebration of the anniversary of the world's creation and a day of self-examination, repentance and judgment. While the day was called Yom HaZikaron (Day of Remembrance) and Yom HaDin (Judgment Day), the name Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) which was first used in the Mishna has become the most prevalent.

Rosh Hashanah Observance

How is Rosh Hashanah celebrated?

On Rosh Hashanah, Jews listen to the shofar blown during lengthy prayer services, eat holiday meals, and do no work. After repenting for bad deeds through prayers, they symbolically cast off sins through the tashlich ceremony.

Rosh Hashanah is both a solemn and happy day. It is a time for introspection, asking for forgiveness, giving forgiveness, resolving to do better, remembering God is King and Judge, and praying for a healthy and happy year to come. Those observing the Jewish New Year are solemn in their repentance, but happy in their confidence that God is merciful and good.

Rosh Hashanah in a Nutshell

Ten Most Important Things to Know about Rosh Hashanah are:

1. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year.
2. Rosh Hashanah is a Day of Judgement.
3. Selichot prayers asking for forgiveness are recited during Elul and on Rosh Hashanah.
4. Rosh Hashanah liturgy focuses on God as King.
5. Jews are commanded to hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah.
6. The shofar blasts remind us that God is King.
7. A festive meal, with symbolic food, is eaten on Rosh Hashanah.
8. Shana Tova is a popular Rosh Hashanah greeting.
9. Tashlich is the symbolic casting off of sins on Rosh Hashanah.
10. Ten Days of Repentance begin on Rosh Hashanah and end on Yom Kippur.

More on Rosh Hashanah

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• Top Ten Rosh Hashanah Online Greeting Cards
• Rosh Hashanah Glossary
• Rosh Hashana Prayers and Torah Readings
• About Shofar
• About Tashlich
• Rosh Hashanah Food Customs
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