Rosh Hashanah Begins
- What
- Rosh Hashanah Begins
- When
- 9/6/2021
- Where
- Jewish
Rosh Ha-Shanah is the Jewish New Year and the first of the High Holidays. It falls on the first - and outside of Israel, also on the second day of the Hebrew month Tishrei, which overlaps with the months of September and October in the Gregorian calendar.
The most prominent observance of the day is the blowing of the shofar. A shofar is traditionally a ram’s horn, although several other species’ horns may be used. The horn is blown like a brass instrument several times throughout the synagogue service on the holiday in a set pattern of blasts that has been passed down since antiquity. The Torah refers to Rosh Ha-Shanah as Yom Teruah, the Day of Blasting, underlining the day’s principal Mitzvah, or commandment. It is said that the shofar is blown many more times than required by the Torah in order to “confuse the Satan” who stands as an accuser against the children of Israel before the Heavenly Court. Other traditional observances include eating symbolic foods to help set a tone for our hopes for the coming year. The eating of apples with honey to induce a sweet year is well known. Challah loaves are usually made in a round shape to symbolize the cycle of the year. Some people have the custom of eating the head of a fish to express the desire that we should be the “head” this year and not the “tail.” There are also traditions to consume pomegranates, dates, peas, leeks, spinach, beets, gourds, dates, and many other foods.
The synagogue service is solemn and introspective. The major themes are repentance and Divine Kingship. It is said that on Rosh Ha-Shanah the Book of Life is opened and in it are inscribed the names of those who will live through the coming year. The service contains many special Piyyutim, liturgical poems, that were composed specifically for Rosh Ha-Shanah and the High Holiday season. Extra blessings relating to the Divine Kingship, remembrance, and the sounding of the shofar are included in Rosh Ha-Shanah’s Mussaf service - the additional set of prayers added on special days.