“In
the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest unto
you, a memorial proclaimed with blasts of horns [shofar], a holy convocation…
and you shall bring an offering made by fire unto the Lord.” Leviticus 23:24, 25
The Torah doesn’t call it Rosh haShana, but it is known by different descriptions.
Leviticus 23:24 mentioned the “day of blowing horns (shofarim)”. This is sometimes translated as 'trumpets'.
Ezekiel 40:1 calls it “the beginning of the year”; while in rabbinic literature they call it “day of judgment” and “day of remembrance”.
The
Hebrew month of Elul (August/September) is the month of the “High Holy
Days”. The period between Rosh haShana (Jewish New Year) and Yom
Kippur (Day of Atonement) is also called “the ten days of awe”, because of
the need for introspection and repentance.
Rosh
haShana (literally
meaning “head of the year”) heralds the Hebrew month of Tishrei
(September/October) (Tishrei is Aramaic for “to begin”). This year it falls on
September 29th at sundown.
It is celebrated for two days and is seen
as a Day of Judgment.
On the first day, the tashlich (“you will cast”)
ritual takes place in which “sins” are symbolically cast into open water.
People also throw bread and pebbles. The days of repentance begin with Rosh
haShana and climax at Yom Kippur (October 9, 2019). Religious Jews
believe that even though judgment is pronounced on Rosh haShana, during
the following ten days they can mend their ways and alter judgment in their
favor.
Rosh
haShana
is a day of rest, like the Shabbat. The sound of the Shofar (ram’s horn)
is intended to awaken the people from their “slumber” and alert them to the
coming judgment.
In
Israel people greet each other with Shana Tova (Good Year) or Shana
Tova uMetuka (good and sweet New Year). Often they add Gmar
Chatima Tova (May you be inscribed in the book of life).
Apple
and honey, symbolizing the sweet New Year is always part of the holiday food. Other
symbolic food is a fish head (“head” of the new year) and a round Challah,
to symbolize the year cycle).
In
ancient times Rosh haShana was the beginning of the economic
year, with emphasis on the agricultural seasons and the pilgrim’s festivals
(Pesach, Shavuot and Succot). It was only celebrated for one day, instead of
the modern two-day holiday.
Rosh
haShana is seen as the anniversary of God’s Creation. On this day mankind
passes before the Creator, like sheep before the shepherd. Three books are
opened – the Book of Life, which seals the righteous, who will live. The wicked
are “blotted out of the book of the living” (Psalm 69:29) while those “in
between” have till Yom Kippur to repent and become righteous.
Judaism’s
many “New Years”
- 1st
of Nissan (March/April) - “Biblical New Year” after the Exodus from Egypt.
Determined the length of a king’s reign. Start of the ecclesiastical Calender.
- 1st
of Elul (August/September) – Beginning of the year to tithe animals for
the Temple.
- 1st
of Shevat (January/February) – this later changed to the 15th
(Tu beShevat) and was called the New Year of trees. Calculations were made
for the tithes of the fruit harvest.
- 1st
of Tishrei (September/October) – civil Hebrew Calender, legal contracts.
- 1st
January – New Year on the Gregorian Calender.
Religious
practices:
- Many
orthodox men were a Kittel (Yiddish) which is a white robe, also
traditionally worn by a bridegroom, symbolizing purity. Often it is also
used as a burial shroud. Isaiah 1:18 “our sins shall be made as white as
snow”. It reminds them of the white linen robe the High Priest wore during
Temple ceremonies.
- This is
an extra busy time for organizations to ask for donations, as charity is
even more important during this period.
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