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The observance of Rosh Hashanah, which is the first day of the year, is mandated in the Torah (Leviticus ch. 23). Rosh Hashanah is the first two days of the month of Tishrei, and is the Jewish New Year. Our traditions state that at that time the world is judged for the coming year (Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 16a); and during services we read the Torah and say prayers which ask for a good year and which declare God's kingship over the world. The shofar (ram's horn) is blown (Leviticus 23:24; Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 33b-34a), symbolically heralding God's kingship, and calling to mind the covenant of Isaac (see Genesis ch.22). Festive meals are held in the home, and traditional foods (such as the well-known apple dipped in honey) are eaten to symbolize a sweet year (See Talmud, Keritut 6a).

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Rosh Hashanah ("the head of the year") is the Jewish New Year and is celebrated for that reason even by non-religious Jews just as the secular New Year is celebrated amongst non-Jews.

However, it also has a more religious significance than the New Year that falls on the 1st of January as it marks the first of the Yamin Noraim, the Days of Awe. Also known as the Asseret Yemai Teshuva ("ten days of repentance"), the Days of Awe are an opportunity for Jews to consider their actions over the previous year, especially those in which they didn't act in quite as moral or ethical a manner as God, Torah and Jewish law would expect.

It is said that, at the start of the year, God writes down everything that every Jew has done during the previous year but He does not yet decide what their fate shall be. Therefore, if they have acted in immoral or unethical ways, a Jew can confess to what he or she has done (between him or herself and God alone, if it's embarrassing) and take steps to put right their misdeeds. If they know in their heart that they have been honest and sincere in their attempts at atonement, they can consider themselves absolved with God when the Days of Awe culminate at Yom Kippur.

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Related Questions

What does the pomegranate symbolize for Rosh Hashana?

There is a tradition of eating pomegranates during Rosh Hashana because of the many seeds they contain. Some people have the tradition that they contain 613 seeds which matches the 613 mitzvot in the Torah. Also, on Rosh Hashana, Jews eat apples dipped in honey, to symbolize a sweet new year. Please see the related link for an alternate explanation regarding pomegranates and Rosh Hashana.


When was Rosh Hashanah heard of?

Rosh Hashana is Hebrew for "New Year" it traditionally refers to the start of a new calendar year for Jews. This is different to other cultures because the Jewish calendar is lunar.(dates are worked out by the cycle of the moon) The first month in the calendar year is called "Tishrei". Rosh Hashana is 2 days long.Jews listen to the sound of a rams horn and attend synagouge on these days. Also it is a custom to eat apples dipped in honey to symbolise that the new year should be as sweet as apples dipped in honey.


What do Jews do to celebrate Rosh Hashana?

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and is considered to be one of the most important Jewish holidays. All over the world Jewish followers celebrate Rosh Hashanah. They do this by gathering in synagogues for the celebration of the creation of Adam and Khavah (Eve), which they believe were the first humans here on Earth.The celebration of Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with many sweet foods, like honey cakes and apples dipped in honey. Jews do this in hopes that it will bring a "sweet year". Other symbolic foods that are often found on Rosh Hashanah are pomegranates, carrots and the head of a fish


What to offer at Rosh Hashanah?

Apples with honey


When is rosh hashana 2011?

Rosh Hashana begins the evening of Sept 28, 2011.


Why do Jews eat honey and apple?

We eat apples dipped in honey at Rosh Hashanah to wish in a sweet and fruitful new year.


When do Jews celebrate the holiday Rosh Hoshanah?

In Judaism, Rosh hashana is comemorated as the anniversary of the Creation.


What is the importance of fish for Rosh hashana?

Ashkenazi Jews have a tradition of service a fish with the head on during Rosh Hashanah because 'Rosh Hashanah' literally translates as 'head of the year'. Many Sephardi Jews will serve a dish made from cow cheek meat.


What are some Rosh Hashanah foods?

Apples with honey and challah bread.


What is the festival during which Jewish people eat apples and honey?

Rosh Hashanah.


What is new year in Jewish?

Rosh Hashana


Why don't Jews say the prayer for the new moon on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana?

They might "forget" but the New Moon isn't "ignored."