Rosh Hashanah
September 19th to 20th

This month, the Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah is being celebrated. Recognizing the Jewish year 5770.

This is the first of the High Holidays, also known as “Yamim Noraim” (Days of Awe). Celebration begins at sunset on September 18 and continues until nightfall on September 20.

Included in the observance is the Ten Days of Repentance, time which is specifically set aside to focus on atonement. This period begins on September 18 and concludes with the holiday of Yom Kippur on September 28.

In the Talmud, a record of Jewish law, ethics, customs and history, it states that Three Books of Account are opened on Rosh Hashanah. Here the fate of the wicked, the righteous and an intermediate class are recorded. Those who are viewed as righteous are directly inscribed in the book of life and are sealed “to live.” Those in the middle class are given the Ten Days of Repentance to atone and become righteous.

Rosh Hashanah is observed as a day of rest and certain activities are forbidden, similar to those prohibited on the Shabbat. Activities that are creative or exercise control or dominion over one's environment are barred.

Rosh Hashanah is actually one of four “New Year” observances that define various legal “years” for different purposes in the Jewish faith. This September, we celebrate the New Year of people, animals and legal contracts.

Rosh Hashanah is illustrated by the blowing of the Shofar, a trumpet made from a ram's horn. According to the Talmud, it is intended to awaken the listener from his or her slumber and alert them to the coming judgment.

During the afternoon of the first day of repentance, the practice of Tashikh is observed. Prayers are read near natural flowing water and sins are symbolically cast into the water. Some people also toss pebbles or bread into the water to signify the casting off of their sins.

The traditional Hebrew greeting on Rosh Hashanah is “Shana Tova”, which translates into wishing people a ‘Good Year.'