iSavta | 13.11.2019

In the Book of Leviticus (23:24-25), it is written “In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of rest, a memorial proclaimed with the blowing of the shofar, a holy convocation.”

This is where Rosh Hashanah originated.

According to the Jewish Virtual Library, Rosh Hashanah is the autumnal festival celebrating the start of the Jewish New Year. It occurs on the first and second days of Tishri (falls during the months of September and October on the Gregorian calendar). Rosh Hashanah literally means "head of the year” in Hebrew.

Just like the secular New Year on January, the Jewish people uses this Holiday to look back from past year’s faults and blunders and make resolutions not to commit the same mistakes again. This period does not end with Rosh Hashanah but actually stretches for several days until Yom Kippur. The name "Rosh Hashanah" is not used in the Bible to discuss this holiday. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom HaZikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom T'ruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. The Bible gives no specific reason for this practice. One that has been suggested is that the shofar's sound is a call to repentance. The shofar is not blown if the holiday falls on a Sabbath.

One popular practice during this holiday is the eating of apple and bread dipped in honey asking for a sweet New Year. Jewish people are also eating round Challa Bread to symbolise the cycle of New Year and the circle of life. The challah is also in the shape of a crown because they consider God as royalty throughout the holidays.

Another popular practice of the holiday is casting off or Tashlikh. On the afternoon of the first day , people take time to go to any flowing water such as rivers and creeks and empty their pockets into the water, symbolically casting off their sins.

"On Rosh Hashanah we read the tragic and transforming family story of Sarah, Hagar, Abrham, Ishmael, and Isaac. We read it on a holiday that emphasizes teshuvah, turning around, becoming a better person, living a life closer to what God wants from us. How can we experience teshuvah?...teshuvah needs to include empathy, empathetic listening, paying attention, hearing beyond words to the soul and meaning of what is uttered...On Rosh Hashanah we ask God to be empathetic toward us, even tough empathy was so often lacking in ourselves.”               — Marcia Pravder Mirkin

 

Shana Tova Everyone! May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.