Rosh Hashanah: What it is and its Significance
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Rosh Hashanah: What it is and its Significance

The time of shofar-blowing and honey-dipped apple-eating.

214
Rosh Hashanah: What it is and its Significance
Huffington Post

So yesterday began the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, which is the New Year of the Hebrew Calendar. As we know, spring and autumn are two of the most important times in the Hebrew Calendar. That is because this is where most of Judaism's holiest times, feasts and festivals are celebrated, save for Hannukah in the mid-winter.

In the spring you got Passover, which I wrote about here. Then in the autumn season, we got Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and the Feast of Sukkot.

Here I'm going to be discussing Rosh Hashanah which, along with Yom Kippur, forms what is part of the "High Holy Days".

If one reads the Bible, we can come to find out that Ancient Israelites were in love with farming, they celebrated holidays related to farming. It also relates to the creation of Adam and Eve, and in religious contexts, Rosh Hashanah celebrates and honors its anniversary.

One of the most prominent activities of Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the shofar in which the Bible instructs Jews to "raise some noise". The shofar in general, along with the menorah is one of Judaism's main symbols.

In Leviticus 23:23-32 it reads, "The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the people of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of complete rest, a holy convocation commemorated with trumpet blasts. You shall not work at your occupations; and you shall present the Lord’s offering by fire."

Then you got the practice of tashlikh, which while practiced by most Jews, is rejected by certain Jewish sections. Tashlikh, performed normally during the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, is a ritual in which prayers are formed near a body of flowing water, to "cast the sins" into the water. Many times, Jews throw pebbles, or even bread into the water. The practice is rejected by some Jewish sections, due to the argument that it is not a proper way to repent for one's sins.

Since Rosh Hashanah is a festive holiday, there is also the FOODS! The thing about Jewish feasts is that every feast has a specific food attached to it. Hannukah you got deep-fried foods, Passover you got unleavened foods, and etc.

Rosh Hashanah's main culinary theme is sweet foods.

One of the most stereotypical Rosh Hashanah foods is apples, dipped in a sweet sauce such as honey for a "sweet new year".

Other foods include fish or lamb head, which symbolizes Deuteronomy 28:13, "The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom."

Rosh Hashanah is one of the preceding holidays that leads into Judaism's most holiest and solemn day, Yom Kippur.

So, Happy Jewish New Year!

Shalom and Shanah Tovah!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

90007
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

62189
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments