Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year 5776, will be celebrated this year from
sundown on Sunday, September 13, until nightfall on Tuesday, September
15. Regular service will resume on Wednesday, September
16.
As we all pray for a year of peace, happiness and well-being, we take
this occasion to extend to our readers our best wishes for the new
year.
Rosh Hashanah - the
Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashanah is commonly
known as the Jewish New Year, a time to begin introspection, looking back at the
mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new
year.
One of
the most important
observances of this
holiday is hearing the
sounding of the shofar,
aram's horn which is blown
somewhat like a trumpet. A total of 100 notes are sounded throughout the day.
The Bible gives no specific reason for this practice, but one that has been
suggested is that the shofar's sound is a call to repentance.
Another popular observance
during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of our wish for a
sweet new year. A common greeting at this time is Shana Tova ("A good
year").
Rosh Hashanah is followed
by “Yom Kippur” – Day of Atonement – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Its
central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this
holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending
most of the day in synagogue services.
Shana Tova!