The origin of Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year, is Biblical (Lev. 23:23-25): "a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts (of the Shofar, the ram's horn)." In Talmudic times, Rosh HaShana became a celebration of the anniversary of the world's creation and a day of self-examination, repentance and judgment.
How is Rosh Hashanah celebrated?
Rosh Hashanah, a two day holiday, is both a solemn and happy occassion. Jews are solemn in their repentance, but happy in their confidence that God is merciful and good. On Rosh Hashanah, Jews listen to the
Shofar (ram's horn) blown during lengthy
prayer services, eat holiday meals, and refrain from work. After repenting for bad deeds through prayers, they symbolically cast off sins through the
Tashlich ceremony.
What are Rosh Hashanah food customs?
After the Rosh HaShana prayer service, Jews eat a festive holiday meal. Special Rosh HaShana food customs have developed over the centuries. On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, a piece of apple is dipped into honey in the hopes of a sweet year. On the second day of Rosh HaShana, Jews eat a new fruit not yet eaten in the season so a special blessing (Shehechiyanu) can be recited. Various symbolic foods - such as dates, pomegranates, pumpkin, leeks, beets - are traditionally eaten on the holiday.
What is a traditional Ashkenazic Rosh Hashanah dinner meal? What is a traditional Rosh Hashanah lunch meal?
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