Interesting Facts About Rosh Hashanah, The Jewish New Year

Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Jewish New Year, is held on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei in the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah 2020 starts at sundown on September 18 and is celebrated through nightfall September 20.

25 Interesting Facts about Rosh Hashanah

1. Rosh Hashanah signifies “head of the year” in Hebrew. It is a period for reflection and repentance. The word Rosh can refer to either your anatomical head or a figurative leader head, ha means “the,” and shanah implies year.

2. The holiday is praised on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the religious year. It ordinarily falls sometime between September 5th and October 6th.

3. It is referred to as the “day of judgment.” On Rosh Hashanah, God is said to record the destiny of each individual for the forthcoming year in the Book of Life or the Book of Death.

4. On Rosh HaShanah, we remember the Creation of the World and we look forward to the Judgment of God. Rosh Hashanah likewise celebrates the creation of the first man and woman – Adam and Eve.

5. As per the Talmud, the world was made on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar.

6. The holiday is praised on the first and second days of Tishrei, which generally relates to September or October on the Gregorian calendar.

7. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is known for apples dipped in honey, record synagogue participation, and as the opening shot to the Days of Awe, which culminate in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

8. Rosh Hashanah starts the High Holy Days or Ten Days of Penitence, which end with Yom Kippur.

9. It likewise denotes the beginning of Yamim Noraim (high holidays), which proceeds with Yom Kippur on the tenth day of Tishri.

10. Teshuvah (actually “returning”) is the process by which Jews makeup on Rosh Hashanah and all through the Ten Days of Awe.

Read More: Rosh Hashanah 2019: Meaning, Start and End Date, Celebration of Rosh Hashanah

11. One of the most huge customs during Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the Shofar or ram’s horn. It is used as a call to repentance during the High Holy Days.

12. There are a few diverse shofar calls used on Rosh Hashanah. The tekiah is one long blast. The teruah is nine short blasts. The shevarim is three blasts. Furthermore, the tekiah gedolah is a single long blast, any longer than the plain tekiah.

13. During this time, Jewish individuals go to synagogue services and avoid working.

14. Another well-known practice is to eat apples dipped in honey, representing the expectation for a sweet year to come. Additionally, challah bread is baked in round loaves rather than braided loaves. The bread is dipped in honey rather than salt.

15. Pomegranates are eaten because the seeds are symbolic of the numerous commandments in the Torah that Jews must satisfy.

16. Eating apples dipped in honey on Rosh Hashanah has more significance behind it than your normal dessert. The apples and honey represent the sweetness that those celebrating the holiday trust the new year brings them.

17. One of the themes of Rosh HaShanah is the “Book of Life.” It is an antiquated representation communicating that we don’t know what lies in front of us, however, that God knows all.

18. The Hebrew words for “carrots” (g’zarim) and “decree” (gezerah) are homonyms, thus those consuming the orange veggie are requesting any evil decrees to be cast aside in the new year. That is the reason carrots end up in your tzimmes, a traditional Rosh Hashanah dish that additionally frequently contains sweet potatoes, prunes, and apples.

19. Another popular ritual is to walk to a river or stream and discuss extraordinary prayers of penitence. Afterward, one throws breadcrumbs in the river, to symbolically cast away sins.

20. A special prayer book is used on Rosh Hashanah, called a Machzor, which signifies “to return.” It represents the pattern of the year and getting back to one’s actual self.

21. A common tradition during Rosh Hashanah is giving Tzedakah, or charity/financial assistance, to those in need.

22. The traditional Rosh Hashanah welcoming suitable for Jewish companions on Rosh Hashanah is “L’Shana Tovah” or basically “Shana Tovah,” which freely interprets as “Happy New Year.”

23. The traditional greeting for Rosh HaShanah is L’Shanah Tovah Tikateivu (l’sha-NAH toe-VAH tee-ka-TAY-vu) which signifies “May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good year.”

24. Known as tashlikh, this custom is ordinarily performed on the first day of Rosh Hashanah to represent the casting off of an individual’s sins as they head into the new year. In certain communities, this is finished with the contents of an individual’s pockets.

25. Rosh Hashanah isn’t only a festival of the new year. It’s likewise a tribute to the making of human life in Jewish tradition.