Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish holiday that marks the celebration of the New Year on the Hebrew calendar. While Rosh Hashanah falls on different dates every year, in 2019 it began on Sunday, Sept. 29 and ended on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Rosh Hashanah represents the first day of creation, also called Tishrei. This is symbolic of the birth of the world and signifies the beginning of each year. Rosh Hashanah is not mentioned in the Torah, which is the religious text of the Jews.
However, it does appear in the Bible under several different names, which is the religious text of the Christians and the Jews, among other religions. Rosh Hashanah is first explicitly mentioned in the Mishna in 200 A.D. The Mishna is a Jewish code that was the first recording of oral law and plays a vital role in Jewish tradition.
Related Articles
- My Voice: The Stigma Behind Skin Disorders
- Reverend Janglebones’ Soapbox: The Cincinnati Festival of Faiths
According to the tradition, this is the time in which God judges his creation. During the holiday, no work is prohibited, and it is meant to be a time of repentance.
This means doing good deeds, reflecting on past faults, making amends with people and generally spending much time in prayer. In most cases, much of one’s time is spent in the synagogue (a house of worship) on Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah is also a time for celebration. However, the kind of festivity that occurs for Rosh Hashana is more of the serene, respectful sort. As the length of this celebration is debated and not set in stone, different denominations celebrate for different lengths: either one or two days.
Additionally, there are many different customs. Many different songs and prayers are shared on the High Holy Days, (another name for the days of Rosh Hashanah).
One vital tradition is the sounding of the shofar, a ram’s horn trumpet, is a special reminder that their God is their king. It signifies their repentance and dedication to God. This is such a momentous occasion in and of itself that Rosh Hashanah is sometimes called Yom Teruah, meaning “the day of the sounding of the shofar.”
Traditionally, families go home after the celebration and have a festive meal with each other. This time is very special for the Jewish people. It is full of celebration and tradition and is also a testament to their faith in God.
As said on the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, “l’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem!” This Hebrew phrase means “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year!”
Anwen Harris
Reporter