Rosh Hashanah, a time of reflection; the shofar is blown to wake us up and mark a new beginning for ourselves and the world. Attending temple services, we reflect upon our actions over the past year and think about how to improve ourselves in the coming year. We wish family and friends a sweet new year, as we enjoy dipping apples in honey.
The 10 days that follow Rosh Hashanah, are a time for continued introspection and repentance. This leads up to Yom Kippur, the holiest of days.
Yom Kippur, the most solemn of days, is a day of fasting, when we ask for forgiveness and hope to be written once again in the Book of Life.
L’Shanah Tovah Tik’atevu! (May you be written(in the Book of Life) for a good year!)
L’Shanah Tovah u’metukah! (May you have a good and sweet year!)
The Jewish Holiday 2010 Rosh Hashanah Thursday, September 9 (begins at sundown) Yom Kippur Saturday, September 18 (begins at sundown)
Jewish New Year
Festive meals are served during Rosh Hashanah. Traditional foods include
round challahs, rather than the typical braided-shaped challahs; the
round shape symbolizes the continuity of life. Other traditional foods
include apples dipped in honey in hope for a sweet year. New fruits of
the season, such as pomegranates, are eaten on the second night, in
appreciation of being alive to celebrate the new season.
Yom
Kippur is the holiest day for Jews around the world. It is a time of
atonement and repentance of sins; it is a day of reflection and a day to
seek forgiveness from God. This year, Yom Kippur begins at sunset,
September 17th, and ends at sundown on September 18th. Yom Kippur's
observances include fasting, prayer, and refraining from work. Most of
this sacred holy day is often observed in synagogue.
The
festive meal before the fast of Yom Kippur traditionally includes
chicken soup often served with matzo balls, and brisket or roast
chicken. The meal served to “break fast” usually consists of bagels with
cream cheese and lox, and “kugel”, or sweet noodle pudding.
The common greeting for the Jewish New Year is “ L'shana Tovah” or “best wishes for a happy and healthy new year”.
Rosh Hashanah is one of the holiest days of the
Jewish year. The literal translation of Rosh Hashanah is “head of the
year”. The significance of the Jewish New Year is the creation of the
world, as narrated in the Bible. Observance of this holy day begins ten
days before Yom Kippur. This year, the Jewish New Year begins at sunset
on September 8th, and ends at sunset, September 10th.
Observances
include attending synagogue and refraining from work. The sounding of
the shofar is a traditional part of the Rosh Hashanah service; the
shofar is blown 100 times. The sounding of the shofar is usually
performed by a young adult member of the congregation, who has
practiced many hours for this important ritual. For Jews everywhere, the
sounding of the shofar symbolizes Abraham's willingness to sacrifice
his son, Isaac. At the last moment, Abraham was ordered to exchange
Isaac with a sacrificial lamb. A shofar is usually made from a ram's
horn.
L'shana Tovah” or “best wishes for a happy and healthy new year”.
The Shofar is Blown to Wake Us Up
