What Is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, beginning on the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. It is one of the most important dates on the Jewish calendar, but it is more than a celebration marking the start of another year.
Rosh Hashanah is traditionally a time for personal reflection. It is a period when people consider their actions over the past year, think about relationships and responsibilities, and consider what they want to do differently in the year ahead. The holiday also begins the High Holiday period that continues through Yom Kippur.
The name Rosh Hashanah translates to “head of the year” in Hebrew.
When Is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah falls on the first and second days of Tishrei. Since the Jewish calendar does not line up exactly with the civil calendar, the dates change from year to year.
The holiday begins at sunset and lasts for two days in most Jewish communities.
How Is Rosh Hashanah Celebrated?
Rosh Hashanah traditions vary between families and communities, but several practices are closely associated with the holiday.
Hearing the Shofar
The shofar is a ram’s horn that is traditionally blown during Rosh Hashanah services. Its sound is associated with awakening, reflection, and the need to pay attention to one’s actions.
For many people, hearing the shofar is an important part of the holiday, whether they attend a full service or simply hear it being blown in their community.
Apples and Honey
Apples dipped in honey are one of the best-known Rosh Hashanah traditions. The sweet food represents a wish for a sweet year ahead.
Families may also serve other foods with symbolic meanings, depending on their cultural and family traditions.
Tashlich
Tashlich is a Rosh Hashanah custom that involves visiting a body of water and reciting prayers or passages associated with repentance. Some communities also have a tradition of tossing pieces of bread into the water.
The practice is connected to the idea of casting away past wrongs and thinking about the changes a person wants to make.
Is Rosh Hashanah Just Jewish New Year’s Eve?
No. Although Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, it is not simply a Jewish version of New Year’s Eve.
According to HebCal, the holiday commemorates the creation of humanity and serves as a day of divine judgment. It includes festive meals and other celebrations, but it also has a serious side. Traditional Jewish thought associates Rosh Hashanah with judgment, repentance, and personal reflection. It begins the Ten Days of Repentance, which end with Yom Kippur.
That is why Rosh Hashanah can feel both festive and reflective. The two are not separate parts of the holiday.
Other Ways To Observe Rosh Hashanah
While attending synagogue is the most traditional way to observe Rosh Hashanah, it’s not the only way. Some people celebrate at home with family or friends, share a holiday meal, eat apples and honey, or listen to the shofar.
Others mark the holiday in quieter ways. You might spend time thinking about the past year, contact someone you have been meaning to reach, consider an apology you owe, or decide what you want to carry into the new year.
There is no single way that everyone observes Rosh Hashanah. Practices differ between families, communities, and individuals, and people with different levels of religious observance may all find their own way to mark the holiday.
