Rosh Hashanah: See what is it, how is it celebrated and more

Rosh Hashanah is a Hebrew phrase, that means 'the head of the year'. Actually, it is the new year day for followers of Judaism. The Jewish New Year begins with this two-day celebration in a traditional way like eating a round challah and saying prayers near a body of water.

Rosh Hashanah: 48-hour celebration

Rosh Hashanah begins on the first day of the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. It is celebrated this year from sunset on Friday, September 15 to sunset on Sunday, September 17. The exact date varies, depending upon the month, but it generally falls in September or October. As it is celebrated for 48 hours, it is also called 'yoma arichta', meaning 'a long day'.

Rosh Hashanah: A day to reflect, repent

Jordan Rosenblum, the Belzer Professor of Classical Judaism and Max and Frieda Weinstein-Bascom Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison told USA Today that the Jewish people reflect on the previous year and plan for the next year on Rosh Hashanah.

From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur

It marks the beginning of the 'Days of Awe', a period of 10 days, used for introspection and repentance. Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement comes at the end of these 10 days. Jewish people also celebrate it as the day when God created humanity and refer to it as the 'birthday of the world'.

How Rosh Hashanah is celebrated?

Some Jewish people blow a Shofar, a curved ram’s horn. Some believers in Judaism pray near a body of water in a Tashlich ceremony. They also toss pieces of bread or other food into the water to symbolize sending off sins.

Traditional Rosh Hashanah foods

Some believers eat apples and honey together to symbolize a sweet new year. Some Jewish people also eat challah, a braided bread. It is a round loaf representing the cycle of the year.
Some people eat pomegranate seeds that represent the 613 mitzvot, or commandments.

FAQs:

What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the new Jewish year. It is used to reflect and repent for the previous year. It is celebrated as the day when God created humanity. The celebration lasts for 48 hours.

How is Rosh Hashanah celebrated?
Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with traditional prayer by the side of a water body. It is followed by tossing bread into the water. Jewish people blow a Shofar, a curved ram’s horn. Traditional food like challah, apple honey, and pomegranates are eaten.