The Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) occurs on the first and second days of the seventh month in the Jewish calendar (Tishri). Translated from Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means "first of the year". Judaism 101: Rosh Hashanah
In 2009, Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on September 18 and continues until sunset on September 20.
When is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Ha'shanah 2009 begins at sunset on Friday September 18 and ends on Sunday November 20 at nightfall.
Additional Names for the Holiday
- Yom Hazikaron (Remembering): Telling and retelling Jewish stories and the reading of the Torahhttp://joi.org/celebrate/rosh/names.shtml
- Yom Hadin (Repentance): To reflect on mistakes made over the past year, seek the forgiveness from those who have been wronged and symbolically cast sins away during tashlichhttp://joi.org/celebrate/rosh/names.shtml
- Yom Teruah (The Shofar): The shofar (an animal horn blown like a trumpet) is blown by one person (a'al tekiah) while another person stands next to them and calls out variations of three different noteshttp://joi.org/celebrate/rosh/names.shtml
Traditional Holiday Foods
- Honey-dipped apple: Symbolizes a wish for sweet new year
- Challah bread: The ladder-like ridges on the bread symbolizes the wish that the family's prayers ascend to heavenThe Jewish Outreach Institute: How We Celebrate
- Pomegranate: The fruit is believed to have 613 seeds, which is the number of good deeds (mitzvot) the Jews, as a society, must performThe Jewish Outreach Institute: How We Celebrate
- Fish: Symbolizes fertility, prosperity and knowledge
Quotes
- "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest unto you, a memorial proclaimed with the blast of horns, a holy convocation."
- "Ye shall do no manner of servile work; and ye shall bring an offering made by fire unto the LORD."—Leviticus 23:24-25Hebrew-English Bible/Mechon-Mamre: Leviticus Chapter 23