Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Monday, September 22 and is a festive time welcoming the Jewish New Year. This holiday starts the High Holy Days and culminates with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This year, Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 1. Rosh Hashanah is filled with special foods, rituals and traditions.
One of the most important rituals is the sounding of the Shofar, (a hollowed-out ram’s horn), to welcome the New Year. It is traditional to eat apples dipped in honey signifying hope for a sweet year. During the year, on Shabbat and festive occasions, Jewish people eat loaves of traditional braided bread known as Challah. On Rosh Hashanah, the Challah is baked in a round shape to symbolize the cyclical nature of life. Raisins are added to the dough for extra sweetness.
Another Rosh Hashanah ritual is known as Tashlich (“casting off”), in which pieces of bread are thrown into water while prayers are recited. As the bread, symbolizing the sins of the past year is swept away, those who embrace this tradition are spiritually cleansed and renewed.
On Rosh Hashanah, Jews everywhere greet each other with the Hebrew phrase “L’Shana Tovah,” which translates to “for a good year.”
May you have a sweet year ahead!
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: Freepik)
(Sources: History.com, Chabad.org)