Rosh Hashana is the start of the religious new year for followers of Judaism. It also marks the anniversary of the creation of the universe. Rosh Hashana means “beginning of the year” in the Hebrew language. The holiday is celebrated during the first two days of the Hebrew calendar month of Tishri, which falls either in September or early October. Rosh Hashana is sometimes called Yom Teruah, or the Day of the Sounding of the Horn, or Yom Ha-Zikkaron, the Day of Remembrance. Rosh Hashana is a joyous holiday, but it also is a serious one. It is considered a time for people to look back at the mistakes they have made in past year and plan the changes they hope to make in the new year. It is also a celebration of the birthday of the world. Festive gatherings with family and friends are a tradition during this holiday, as are meals that feature sweet foods. Rosh Hashana begins a 10-day period called the High Holy Days, or the Days of Awe, that ends on Yom Kippur. Work is not allowed on Rosh Hashana. Most of the day is spent praying in the synagogue, the Jewish house of worship. One of the best-known traditions of this holiday is the sounding of the shofar, which is a trumpet made of a ram's horn. Another custom is dipping apples in honey as a symbol of the wish for a sweet new year. |