Rosh Hashanah, also spelled Rosh Hashana or Rosh Hashana, is a significant Jewish holiday that marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Literally meaning "head of the year" in Hebrew, it is observed on the first and second days of the Jewish month of Tishrei, which usually falls in September or October on the Gregorian calendar.
Rosh Hashanah is a time of introspection and spiritual renewal for Jewish people worldwide. It is considered a time of judgment when individuals reflect on their actions and seek repentance for any wrongdoings in the past year. This period is known as the "Ten Days of Repentance," which culminate in the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur.
During Rosh Hashanah, many customs and rituals are observed. Synagogue services involve the sounding of the shofar, a ram's horn, which serves as a call to repentance and awe. Special prayers, including the recitation of the Avinu Malkeinu, which means "Our Father, Our King," are recited. Another central ritual is the Tashlich ceremony, where people gather near a body of water to cast away their sins symbolically by tossing breadcrumbs or stones into the water.
The holiday is also marked by indulging in symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey, representing a sweet and prosperous year ahead. Round challah bread, signifying the cyclical nature of life, is another traditional food consumed during this time.
Overall, Rosh Hashanah is a period of reflection, prayer, repentance, and hope for Jewish people, setting the tone for the upcoming year.
