What is a Rosh Hashanah?

Give us your honey and your apples. It is that time of year that is known as the High Holidays (HH) in Judaism. The HH starts off with the first of the holidays, Rosh Hashanah. So, before I get started, I think there are a few words that should be defined...

Tishrei: 1st Month of the civil calendar (Think business/fiscal) *Nisan is the 1st month of the Biblical new year #passover

High Holidays: #RoshHashanah, #YomKippur, and the days in between the previous two holidays.

Rosh Hashanah (This year, Sunset 9 Sept to Sundown 11 Sept): Literally means the Head of the year.

Shofar: Ram's horn (can be sheep, Kudu, cow) that is blown in several sequences that have a particular meaning throughout the ceremonies held during this time.

Ram's Horn

Kudu's Horn:

Now...back to the holiday. Rosh Hashanah is one of many New Years within #Judaism. Seems a bit strange. I know. However, there is already precedence for this. In the United States, there is New Year's Day on January 1st and the fiscal new year that starts on 1 Oct. There is a strong correlation that Rosh Hashanah may have a similar, fiscal beginning, but that is for another blog. Anywho, the holiday is celebrating the creation of Adam and Eve and the celebration of Humanity's entrance and participation in the world (23 - 25 Leviticus).

The holiday is celebrated for 2 days in most of the Jewish world. In some parts of the globe and in some Jewish groups, the holiday is celebrated for 1 day (Sundown to Sundown). Most of the Jewish world will participate in prayers at a synagogue and if they are fortunate, be awakened by the burst of the shofar and the playing of the shofar at synagogue or the service available. You may also see Jews partaking in something sweet (honey) and a fresh fruit (apple) accompanied with a pomegranate. There may also be some sort of sweet bread served at home or the religious service. This year I will be preparing #Ethiopian #Dabo.

Ahh, nearly forgot. On the second day of the holiday, it is customary to visit a river or ocean to cast away your sins. This is part of the process as we prepare for Yom Kippur.

So, if you run into a Jewish friend during this special time of year, you can greet them by saying, "L'Shanah Tovah" or Happy New Year's!

*I will say that this blog does not capture all the traditions of the vast Jewish world, but gives the common wave tops that we have amongst us.