101 Things Everyone Should Know about Judaism by Richard D. Bank & James B. Wiggins

Author:Richard D. Bank & James B. Wiggins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Adams Media Avon
Published: 2011-06-30T00:00:00+00:00

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ROSH HASHANAH : T HE JEWISH NEW YEAR

Rosh Hashanah (head of the year) is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This Jewish holiday which commences the Days of Awe, commemorates the creation of the world. Most Reform Jews and Jews living in Israel celebrate Rosh Hashanah for one day but the other branches of Judaism observe Rosh Hashanah for two days.

In Leviticus 23:24–25, it is written that on the first day of the seventh month, there “shall be a solemn rest unto you, a memorial proclaimed with the blast of horns, a holy convocation. …”

Later, in Numbers 29:1, it is proclaimed that this day shall be a “holy day,” a day when Jews should not work, and a day when “the sho-far is trumpeted.” (The shofar is a ram's horn, blown particularly at synagogue services during the High Holidays.) The Torah only refers to Rosh Hashanah as Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar) or Yom Ha-Zikaron (the day of remembrance). Yom Ha-Zikaron is a reference to Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, in demonstration of his unswerving obedience to God.

The phrase “Rosh Hashanah” emerged during the Talmudic times (the first five centuries C.E.). However, the holiday itself was well established by the fourth century B.C.E., after the Babylonian exile when some Jews had returned to Jerusalem to construct the Second Temple.

Given the importance of this period, preparations for the Days of Awe begin in the preceding month of Elul, when it is customary to blow the shofar during weekly synagogue services. It is considered a great honor to blow the shofar, which is no ordinary ram's horn.

As the month of Elul draws to an end, there is a special Selichot (forgiveness) service on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah, when the congregation recites a series of important prayers. Around midnight, the congregation reviews the thirteen attributes of God (see number 24), a ceremony that helps to prepare everyone for the approaching holy days.

During this season of the New Year, it is customary to send Shanah Tovah (good year) cards to friends and family. It's also important to have certain items and food necessary for Rosh Hashanah, including holiday candlesticks and candles; wine, a decanter, and wine cups; two round challahs (special bread); challah cover; a holiday bread knife; cut or sliced apples; honey; and flowers.

Rosh Hashanah begins a new calendar year, but there are three other “new year” celebrations in the Jewish tradition: Nisan, the month in which Passover occurs, begins the counting of the calendar months and counting the reign of kings; Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, is the symbolic new year for tithing animals, a form of charity; and Tu B'Shevat, the fifteenth day of Shevat, is the new year for trees.

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