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Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Every year it falls on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. If you translate the Hebrew its literal meaning is “Head of the year.” This year Rosh Hashanah marks the start of Jewish year 5770. It begins at sunset on Friday September 18 and ends at sunset on Sunday September 20.
It is not uncommon for people to ask when the holiday is going to fall as it appears to have a rotating date. The reality is that it never rotates from its position within the Jewish calendar. However that calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar that is used by many countries.
A simple explanation is that one operates off of a lunar calendar and the other off of a solar calendar. The end result is that the days do not match up exactly which is why it appears that Jewish holidays can come at any point during the Gregorian calendar year.
Rosh Hashanah is a time in which Jews engage in introspective thought and reflection about life. It is a time in which you consider the sins and actions of the past year and prepare yourself to repent and start fresh.
Work is not permitted during Rosh Hashanah.
There are many different symbols that are used this time of year.
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One of the more common symbols is the Shofar. The Shofar is typically made from a ram’s horn. It is blown in synagogues on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Challah is a traditional bread that Jews eat. It is a special bread that is braided and is sometimes found in secular markets labeled as egg bread. On Rosh Hashanah it is baked in a round shape symbolizing the cycle of life.
It is also traditional for Jews to eat apples dipped in honey for a sweet start to a new year.
