Rosh Hashanah — The Jewish New Year

Rosh Hashanah (ראש השנה, "Head of the Year") is observed on the 1st and 2nd of Tishrei and marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days — a period of deep introspection, prayer, and renewal that culminates on Yom Kippur.

The Significance of Rosh Hashanah

According to Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world — or more specifically, the creation of humanity. It is the day on which God judges every person and inscribes their fate for the coming year in the Book of Life. The ten-day period from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur is called the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah (Ten Days of Repentance), during which Jews seek forgiveness and resolve to improve themselves.

The greeting for Rosh Hashanah is "Shanah Tovah" — "A Good Year" — or the fuller blessing "L'shanah tovah tikateivu v'teichateimu" — "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."

Key Observances & Customs

Shofar Blowing

The shofar (ram's horn) is sounded 100 times during services. Its piercing call is meant to awaken the soul to repentance and remind us of God's sovereignty.

Tashlich

On the first afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, Jews gather at a body of flowing water and symbolically cast away their sins by tossing breadcrumbs into the water.

Apples & Honey

Dipping apple slices in honey is the quintessential Rosh Hashanah tradition — symbolizing the wish for a sweet new year.

Round Challah

Unlike the braided loaves of Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah challah is baked round — symbolizing the cycle of the year, the crown of God's kingship, and continuity.

Special Prayers

The Rosh Hashanah liturgy includes the Unetaneh Tokef prayer, the sounding of the shofar, and extended Amidah prayers emphasizing God as King and Judge.

Symbolic Foods (Simanim)

Many Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities eat symbolic foods — pomegranates, dates, leeks, beets, and fish heads — each accompanied by a prayer for the new year.

Synagogue Services

Rosh Hashanah services are among the longest and most attended of the Jewish year. The Torah reading tells the story of the binding of Isaac (Akeidat Yitzchak), and the Haftarah recounts Hannah's prayer for a child. The Musaf service includes three special sections: Malchuyot (Kingship), Zichronot (Remembrance), and Shofarot (Shofar verses).

Rosh Hashanah & the High Holy Days

Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe). The ten-day period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time for teshuvah (repentance), tefillah (prayer), and tzedakah (charity). The Shabbat that falls between the two holidays is called Shabbat Shuvah (Sabbath of Return).