What Does Rosh Hashanah Celebrate? A Story for Rosh Hashanah What Does Rosh Hashanah Celebrate? First a Little Background Rosh Hashanah is only one of the many new years listed in the Talmud. There are new years for vegetables, for counting the reign of kings, for trees. Rosh Hashanah is the date that marks, at least according to sages quoted in the Talmud, the birthday of the world when Adam and Eve were created (T.B. Rosh Hashanah 27a). The worldï¿½s birthday informs the celebration of Rosh Hashanah by linking world renewal to personal renewal. The day Adam and Eve were created was the first moment God could be considered a Sovereign. Until then there were no subjects under royal dominion. Traditional Rosh Hashanah liturgy is full of references to Godï¿½s coronation, God as Ruler. One reason for this is only if God is the Ruler of all is it worthwhile to direct prayers for life and a sweet year to God.

Itï¿½s helpful that the Talmudic sages explained Rosh Hashanah because a cold reading of the Torah verses that command the celebration of this holiday give little indication of its purpose. ï¿½And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the Children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month you will have a Sabbath, a memorial of the horns, a holy gatheringï¿½ (Leviticus 23:23-24). Rosh Hashanah gets a second mention in Numbers. ï¿½And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy gathering and you will do no work. It will be a day of blowing the horn for youï¿½.ï¿½ (Numbers 29:1) The Torah counts the months from Nissan, the beginning of the festival calendar that starts with Passover. Rosh Hashanah, in Tishrei, begins the annual calendar is the seventh month from Nissan. Cryptic Torah verses are nothing new.

Many have likened the Torahï¿½s words to notes taken during a lecture, brief and unclear to those who arenï¿½t immersed in study. Pslamists encoded their understanding of Rosh Hashanah in Psalm 81. ï¿½Blow the horn on the new moon, on the full moon of our feast day. For it is a law for Israel, [a day of] judgement of the God of Jacob.ï¿½ In later generations the sages quoted in the Mishna, a collection of sayings and elaboration on Torah laws, envisioned Rosh Hashanah as a time when ï¿½all those who come into the world pass before God like legions of soldiers.ï¿½ (Mishna Rosh Hashanah 1) Some suggest Rosh Hashanah grew into its meaning as a day of judgement because of its closeness to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. God as Sovereign and Judge The ancients gazed at the starry, starry Tishrei nights and saw scales, Moznaim. The zodiac constellation fit in with the understanding that Rosh Hashanah was the day of Judgement.

Even those who feel more comfortable reading Rosh Hashanah as an unexplained biblical holiday that got its character from its nearest calendar neighbor, Yom Kippur, have their interest piqued by a comforting biblical coincidence. If, as Rabbi Eliezer argues in the Talmud, Rosh Hashanah is the day humans were created, then this is also the day that Adam and Even sinned and gained forgiveness. Holding a Day of Judgment on this anniversary of eating the forbidden fruit brings solace. If Adam and Eve were forgiven, we can be forgiven too. Disquieting as the thought of God sitting in judgment may be, the notion brings hope. God, Sovereign of all, cares about what we do. You matter. You are more than a highly evolved lucky possessor of useful chromosomes and opposing thumbs. Watching the symbolic scales of good and evil tip and sway, praying for a clean of enough slate to be jotted down, in pen, in the Book of Life is a yearly trauma much like a measles shot. Itï¿½s scary but itï¿½s good for you. An annual check up at Rosh Hashanah, keeps soul shmootz from settling.

Any necessary Divine corrective are spread out over the year and not administered in one huge, lump sum wallop. (Even if it feels that way.) Mazor Guide to Rosh Hashanah brings you much more about the holiday, its meaning and its traditions... See the links below. How to Celebrate Rosh Hashanah: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow How to Celebrate Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah is an important religious holiday that celebrates the Jewish New Year. Typically occurring in September or October of each year, it is observed for two days by most Jews, and features a number of unique customs. Steps 1 Reflect on your past and contemplate your future. Rosh Hashanah is Hebrew for "Head of the Year." It is considered to be the birthday of the world, and hence is the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is a time to learn from your mistakes of the past year, and to think about how you can improve yourself in the future. It is also a time to make personal resolutions both large and small. 2 Visit the mikvah (Hebrew for a ritual bath) on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.

This will help cleanse you spiritually for the upcoming holiday. 3 Attend Rosh Hashanah services at your synagogue. People often dress up for this very important High Holiday, so think formal to business casual attire. 4 Listen to the shofar. This is the only commandment directly referenced in the Torah regarding the observation of the holiday. The shofar is a ram's horn. It is blown during the service by the "Ba'al Tekiah", or shofar blower. It is a symbol of spiritual awakening and reflection. As we do not know exactly how the shofar was blown in the ancient Temple, four different blasts are given to ensure that the shofar is heard properly for each new year: Tekiah: One blast, a few seconds long, that ends abruptly. Shevarim: Three one-to-two-second short blasts that rapidly scoop from low to high in pitch. Teruah: Nine short, rapid blasts. Tekiah Gedolah: This is one long, continuous blast, traditionally held for nine counts, but in progressive communities it is often held as long as possible.

5 Observe Tashlikh (Hebrew: "casting off"), which is the process of going to a flowing body of water and emptying your pockets into the body of water. Most people throw stale breadcrumbs. This is observed on the first afternoon of Rosh Hashanah. 6 Say the Rosh Hashanah blessings for the candles, wine, and challah (Hebrew: "bread"). The challah is round on Rosh Hashanah to symbolize the cycle of the year.. 7 Eat apples dipped in honey. Apples dipped in honey is a traditional food as well. This tradition signifies the hope for "A Sweet New Year" due to the sweetness of the honey. Another common Rosh Hashanah food is the pomegranate. According to Jewish tradition, a pomegranate contains 613 seeds representing the 613 Commandments. This signifies the hope for a fruitful new year ahead. 8 Know that when Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat, the Shofar will not be blown. Community Q&A Is it okay if I leave a few of these steps out?

wikiHow Contributor This is a sort of controversial topic because many people who are more religious would probably say no, but religion is all about what you believe, and what you want to do. It is a non-binding contract. If you don't have time for synagogue, that is totally fine and you shouldn't feel guilty about whatever you are busy with. Even if you just don't want to say all the blessings for the yom-tov, it's all up to you. So, yes, you can absolutely still celebrate Rosh Hashanah even if you leave a few steps out. Are Christians welcome at Rosh Hashanah celebrations? wikiHow Contributor It really depends on the family, most Jewish families would be happy to invite Christian friends or family into their home to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, and I sincerely doubt a family would turn a friend away from a unique cultural experience because of differing beliefs. When in doubt, just ask the family, there are no rules against hosting guests. Where in the Torah is Rosh Hashanah? wikiHow Contributor The Jewish New Year is strictly traditional, and does not come from the Torah.

There are only three Jewish holidays directly commanded in the Torah: Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot. Judaism 101: Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah Observances: Sounding the shofar (ram's horn trumpet) Length: 2 Days (Some: 1 Day) Customs: Dipping apples in honey; Casting off "sins" into a river Greeting: L'shanah tovah! (For a good year!) ...In the seventh month, on the first of the month, there shall be a sabbath for you, a remembrance with shofar blasts, a holy convocation. -Leviticus 16:24 Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri . In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year." Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American midnight drinking bash and daytime football game.

There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one: Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making "resolutions." Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year. More on this concept at Days of Awe . The name "Rosh Hashanah" is not used in the Bible to discuss this holiday. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25. The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue . A total of 100 notes are sounded each day.

There are four different types of shofar notes: tekiah, a 3 second sustained note; shevarim, three 1-second notes rising in tone, teruah, a series of short, staccato notes extending over a period of about 3 seconds; and tekiah gedolah (literally, "big tekiah"), the final blast in a set, which lasts (I think) 10 seconds minimum. Click the shofar above to hear an approximation of the sound of Tekiah Shevarim-Teruah Tekiah. The Bible gives no specific reason for this practice. One that has been suggested is that the shofar's sound is a call to repentance. The shofar is not blown if the holiday falls on Shabbat . No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Much of the day is spent in synagogue , where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. In fact, there is a special prayerbook called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for these holidays. Another popular observance during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of our wish for a sweet new year.

This was the second Jewish religious practice I was ever exposed to (the first one: lighting Chanukkah candles), and I highly recommend it. It's yummy. We also dip bread in honey (instead of the usual practice of sprinkling salt on it) at this time of year for the same reason. Another popular practice of the holiday is Tashlikh ("casting off"). We walk to flowing water, such as a creek or river, on the afternoon of the first day and empty our pockets into the river, symbolically casting off our sins. Small pieces of bread are commonly put in the pocket to cast off. This practice is not discussed in the Bible, but is a long-standing custom. Tashlikh is normally observed on the afternoon of the first day, before afternoon services. When the first day occurs on Shabbat , many synagogues observe Tashlikh on Sunday afternoon, to avoid carrying (the bread) on Shabbat. Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d 's sovereignty. The common greeting at this time is L'shanah tovah ("for a good year").

This is a shortening of "L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem" (or to women, "L'shanah tovah tikatevi v'taihatemi"), which means "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." More on that concept at Days of Awe . You may notice that the Bible speaks of Rosh Hashanah as occurring on the first day of the seventh month. The first month of the Jewish calendar is Nissan, occurring in March and April. Why, then, does the Jewish "new year" occur in Tishri, the seventh month? Judaism has several different "new years," a concept which may seem strange at first, but think of it this way: the American "new year" starts in January, but the new "school year" starts in September, and many businesses have "fiscal years" that start at various times of the year.

In Judaism, Nissan 1 is the new year for the purpose of counting the reign of kings and months on the calendar, Elul 1 (in August) is the new year for the tithing of animals, Shevat 15 (in February) is the new year for trees (determining when first fruits can be eaten, etc.), and Tishri 1 (Rosh Hashanah) is the new year for years (when we increase the year number. Sabbatical and Jubilee years begin at this time). See Extra Day of Jewish Holidays for an explanation of why this holiday is celebrated for two days instead of the one specified in the Bible.

List of Dates Rosh Hashanah will occur on the following days of the secular calendar: Jewish Year 5777: sunset October 2, 2016 - nightfall October 4, 2016 Jewish Year 5778: sunset September 20, 2017 - nightfall September 22, 2017 Jewish Year 5779: sunset September 9, 2018 - nightfall September 11, 2018 Jewish Year 5780: sunset September 29, 2019 - nightfall October 1, 2019 Jewish Year 5781: sunset September 18, 2020 - nightfall September 20, 2020 For additional holiday dates, see Links to Jewish Calendars . © Copyright 5756-5771 (1995-2011), Tracey R Rich If you appreciate the many years of work I have put into this site, show your appreciation by linking to this page, not copying it to your site.

I can't correct my mistakes or add new material if it's on your site. Click Here for more details. How Rosh Hashanah Works | HowStuffWorks How Rosh Hashanah Works NEXT PAGENEXT The shofar, a ram's horn, is a major symbol of Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish religion. You may know quite a bit about the holiday, or you may know that it has something to do with apples and honey, and that it is a Jewish "High Holiday." Or perhaps you know nothing about it at all. In this article, you will learn about Rosh Hashanah -- where the holiday comes from, how people celebrate it, and what the "High Holiday" period is all about. Up Next How Easter Works We'll start with the most basic question: What does Rosh Hashanah celebrate? Rosh Hashanah is many things, but most people know it as the Jewish New Year. In fact, the significance of Rosh Hashanah encapsulates four major and interconnected themes.

The holiday is: The Jewish New Year The Day of Remembrance The Day of Shofar Blowing Rosh Hashanah is one of two High Holidays in the Jewish religion, the other being Yom Kippur, which occurs 10 days after Rosh Hashanah begins. These two holidays form the High Holiday period, arguably the most significant time in the Jewish year, as it marks the chance for repentance and forgiveness in the eyes of God. During the High Holidays, Jews cleanse their soul and get the chance to start fresh with an unburdened conscience and the intention of doing better in the coming year. According to the Talmud , God created mankind on the first day of the month Tishri. As such, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the human race. It is a time for cleansing and renewal, a chance to receive forgiveness and clear the slate. The importance of the holiday is reflected in its two-day observance; most Jewish holidays are celebrated for only one day. Rosh Hashanah, literally translated as "head of the year," is considered the Jewish New Year. But the holiday does not fall on the first day of the first month of the Jewish calendar.

Rosh Hashanah begins with the first day of the seventh month, Tishri, and so is something of a symbolic New Year (at least in terms of what most people think of as "New Year's"). It is actually one of several New Year observations that occur throughout the year, and this particular New Year marks the opportunity to put the sins of the previous year in the past, and move forward having received God's forgiveness. In this way, Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Judgement. One of the most prominent themes of the holiday revolves around the symbolic "Book of Life." A Jew's life depends on whether or not he or she makes the decision to make amends during the High Holiday period through the means of repentance (teshuvah), prayer (tfiloh), and charity (tzedakah). It is a key moment, a time to reflect on past mistakes and resolve in front of God to not repeat them in the coming year. It is also a celebration of man's free will -- making the conscious decision to look inside oneself, to look truly at one's life and make amends. In exercising this choice, which was given to him by God, man makes himself worthy of God's mercy.

On Rosh Hashanah, Jews often say to one another, "May you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life." The High Holiday period is a choice between life and death, righteousness and sin, and those who repent are on their way to being inscribed in the "Book of Life," which brings with it the promise of a good year. The belief is that on Rosh Hashanah, the names are written in the book, and on Yom Kippur (10 days later) the book is sealed. These 10 days are referred to as the Days of Awe. As the Day of Remembrance, Rosh Hashanah recalls the story of Isaac's near-sacrifice, which Jewish tradition states occurred on the first of Tishri. In this biblical account, God commanded Isaac's father, Abraham, to sacrifice his only son as an offering. Abraham accepts God's command, builds an altar, and prepares to sacrifice his son to prove his obedience and faith in God. At the very last minute, an angel conveying God's wishes stopped Abraham from killing Isaac, and pointed out a ram caught by its horns in a nearby bush.

The angel told Abraham to sacrifice the ram in place of Isaac -- Abraham had passed God's test. As a result, God blessed Abraham. This story is recalled on Rosh Hashanah to remind Jews that submission before God is the way to attain God's mercy, and the truly righteous do not question God's will. They do as God commands and are rewarded for their faith. The shofar comes in many shapes and sizes. The last of Rosh Hashanah's main symbols is the shofar, which is a hollowed out ram's horn. The Day of Shofar Blowing has several implications, but there are at least three widely recognized meanings. One is to recall the story of Isaac -- of God sparing his life as a reward for Abraham's faith -- and to remember the ram that was sacrificed in Isaac's place. Aside from recalling the story of Isaac, the shofar also calls to mind a coronation of sorts. Inasmuch as Rosh Hashanah is a celebration of the creation of human beings, it is also a celebration of God's kingship over human beings. The blowing of the shofar announces and reaffirms God as ruler of all mankind.

The "trumpet-like" sound of the shofar also serves to stir the soul of all Jews, to awaken the Jewish people to the omnipotence and omnipresence of God and the chance to receive his mercy through prayer and repentance. To hear what a shofar sounds like, visit this page from Torah Tots and scroll down to "The Shofar." The Jewish Calendar The calendar used by most of the world is the Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. The Jewish calendar, which is the official calendar in Israel and the religious calendar for Jews everywhere, was instituted by Hillel II around the year 359. Whereas the Gregorian calendar is based on the sun, the Jewish calendar is based on both the sun and the moon. Years coincide with the sun, and months coincide with the moon.

Judaism 101: A Gentile's Guide to the Jewish Holidays A Gentile's Guide to the Jewish Holidays Level: Gentile  Holiday dates vary because the Jewish calendar is lunar, not solar  Some Jews add an extra day to some holidays because of ancient tradition; some don't  Jews expect you to know a little about Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Chanukkah  There are many other holidays, but nobody expects gentiles to know about them I know Weinstein's parents were upset, Superintendent, but I was sure it was a phony excuse. I mean, it sounds so made up: "Yom Kippur." - Principal Skinner, The Simpsons If you want a general understanding of what your Jewish friends' and colleagues' holidays are, or if you just want to avoid making Principal Skinner's mistake when you schedule Jewish employees, co-workers, colleagues or students, then this is the page for you. Other pages on this site provide more detailed information about the Jewish calendar and the holidays ; this page just tells you what you minimally need to know to avoid embarrassing yourself or offending Jews. Why do Jewish holidays keep changing dates?

Congregant 1: When is Chanukkah this year? Congregant 2: Same as always, 25th of Kislev. - Overheard at Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia Jewish holidays actually occur on the same day every year: the same day on the Jewish calendar! The Jewish calendar has a different number of days than the calendar you use because the Jewish calendar is tied to the moon's cycles instead of the sun's. The Jewish calendar loses about 11 days relative to the solar calendar every year, but makes up for it by adding a month every two or three years. As a result, the holidays don't always fall on the same day, but they always fall within the same month or two. The Chinese calendar (which is also lunar) works the same way, which is why Chinese New Year occurs on different days but is always in late January or early February. The Muslim calendar is lunar but does not add months, which is why Ramadan circles the calendar. When does a Jewish Holiday Start and End? Attorney 1: Thursday is Rosh Hashanah, but I'm available for trial on Friday Attorney 2: Thursday and Friday are Rosh Hashanah for me.

Attorney 3: I have to leave early on Wednesday for Rosh Hashanah. Judge: Is this holiday one day, two or three? Attorney 1: One day. - Inspired by a true story How long is a Jewish holiday? It depends on who you ask! In ancient times, because of confusion about the calendar, an extra day was added to some holidays. In modern times, some branches of Judaism have abandoned this custom, returning the holidays to the length specified in the Bible. Other branches continue the ancient tradition of adding a day to certain holidays. Thus for some Jews, Thursday is a holiday but Friday is not, while for others, both Thursday and Friday are holidays. Adding to the confusion is the fact that a Jewish "day" starts at sunset, and holidays start the evening before the day on your secular calendar. For example, if your calendar says that Passover starts on April 24, families will be getting together for Passover dinner on the night of April 23. A few secular calendars mark the preceding day as "Erev Passover," which basically means Passover Eve.

If your calendar says "Erev" or "Eve" before a holiday name, it means the holiday starts the evening of that day and continues into the next day. Popular Jewish Holidays The holidays discussed below are not necessarily the most important Jewish holidays, but they are the holidays that are most commonly observed by American Jews, and they are the holidays that American Jews will expect you to be familiar with. Passover This holiday commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. If you've seen Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments," then you know the story of Passover, more or less. Passover is celebrated for seven or eight days (depending on your branch of Judaism) starting on the night of a full moon in April. Passover usually overlaps with Easter, though occasionally Passover occurs a month after Easter. Almost all American Jews observe Passover to some extent, even if only to go to their parents' house for a ritual dinner (called a seder, pronounced SAY-der) on the first and/or second night of the holiday.

Most (though not all) American Jews avoid bread and grain products to one extent or another throughout this holiday, in memory of the fact that our ancestors left Egypt in a hurry and didn't have time to wait for their bread to rise. You should avoid scheduling events involving food during this holiday, and should avoid scheduling travel for Jews because it may be hard for them to find suitable food away from home. Strictly observant Jews do not work, go to school or carry out any business on the first two and last two days of Passover (first one day and last one day for some branches). This is a requirement of Jewish law; however, only about 10% of the American Jewish population observes this rule strictly. Most American Jews will work through Passover, although many may want to take time off the day before Passover, to prepare for the big family dinner. To put this in perspective: imagine if you had to work during the day of Thanksgiving, then prepare for Thanksgiving dinner after getting home from work. Remember that Passover, like all Jewish holidays, begins the evening before the date that it appears on your calendar.

If your calendar says that Passover starts on April 24, then Passover really begins with the family dinner on the night of April 23. Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah is Jewish New Year, the day when the year number on the Jewish calendar increases. It occurs between Labor Day and Columbus Day. It lasts for one or two days, depending on your branch of Judaism. Rosh Hashanah is a happy, festive holiday, but somewhat more solemn than American New Year. Like American New Year, it is a time to look back at the past year and make resolutions for the following year. It is also a wake-up call, a time to begin mental preparations for the upcoming day of atonement, Yom Kippur. Many Jews who do not go to synagogue any other time of year will go to synagogue on Rosh Hashanah. You've heard of "twice-a-year Christians" who go to church only on Christmas and Easter? "Twice-a-year Jews" go to synagogue only on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Most American Jews expect gentiles to be aware of Rosh Hashanah.

It is, after all, listed on most calendars you buy in the store, but remember: the holiday starts at sunset the night before the day shown on your calendar! Many will be offended if you schedule important events, meetings or tests on Rosh Hashanah. Even those who do not go to synagogue and do not observe the holiday may be offended. Imagine how you would feel if someone scheduled such activities on Christmas or Easter, even if you didn't have anything special planned for the day, and you will understand how Jews feel about this holiday. Yom Kippur Yom Kippur is the Jewish day of atonement, a day of fasting and repentance to reconcile ourselves with the Creator for the mistakes we have made in the last year. It occurs on the ninth day after the first day of Rosh Hashanah (Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first day of the Jewish month; Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th), so it is usually in late September or early October, sometimes falling on Columbus Day. For obvious reasons, nobody adds an extra day to this 25-hour fast! Remember that this holiday starts the evening before the day it appears on your secular calendar.

Some secular calendars will mark the preceding day as Kol Nidre, which is the name of the first service of the holiday, in the evening. Most (but not all) Jews take off from work or school on this day, even ones who are not religious at other times. This is the busiest day of the year for synagogues, even though many synagogues charge for tickets to this day's services (to defray the cost of serving so many extra people). Many will also want to leave work early the night before, so they have time for a large, slow meal before this 25-hour fast. Like Rosh Hashanah, most American Jews expect gentiles to be aware of this day, and almost all will be offended if you schedule important activities on it. How do you pronounce the name of this holiday? "Yom" rhymes with "home" and "Kippur" sounds like "key poor" with emphasis on the "poor." A lot of Americans (even American Jews) pronounce "Kippur" like the smoked fish dish, kipper, but this really isn't correct. Please don't pronounce it that way; there is something fundamentally wrong with naming a fast day after a food item!

Chanukkah Chanukkah is the festival of lights, commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a successful revolt against the Seleucid Greeks. As part of the rededication, the victorious Jews needed to light the Temple's menorah (candelabrum), but they had only enough oil to last one day and it would take eight days to prepare more oil. Miraculously, the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days. The miracle of the oil is commemorated with this eight-day candlelighting holiday. Chanukkah begins between Thanksgiving and Christmas. About half of the time, it overlaps with Christmas, but there are many years when Chanukkah ends long before Christmas. In 2002, for example, Chanukkah began on Thanksgiving and ended in the first week of December, but that is unusual. Almost all Jews light candles with their families for at least some nights of the holiday, so people like to be at home during this holiday. Although almost nobody takes off from work or school for this holiday, many may not want to work nights or travel during the holiday so they can light candles with the family, and accommodations should be made for this.

The most important thing to remember about Chanukkah is that it is not Jewish Christmas, no matter what the card shops and toy stores want you to believe. Chanukkah is a very minor holiday. It's not about joy to the world and peace on Earth and presents galore for everyone you've ever met; it's about lighting candles and playing games for chocolate coins and eating potato pancakes. Many Jewish parents give their children gifts during Chanukkah because they don't want their children to feel left out of Christmas, but Chanukkah gift-giving rarely extends much beyond one's own children. Most American Jews feel a sort of ambivalence about Chanukkah. On the one hand, most of them know that Chanukkah is not a big deal, and they don't want to make a big deal about it. On the other hand, Christmas is everywhere, unavoidable and overwhelming, and Jews want something of their own to counterbalance it. This is the primary motivation behind elaborate Chanukkah decorations and enormous Chanukkah menorahs in public areas: Chanukkah is not very important, but asserting our Jewish identity and distinctiveness and existence in the face of overwhelming pressure to conform to a non-Jewish norm is important.

Pressuring Jews to conform to that norm or to participate in Christmas events if they don't want to is inconsiderate at best. Other Jewish Holidays There are many other Jewish holidays, but most American Jews do not celebrate these holidays as strictly or as regularly as the holidays above, and most do not expect gentiles to be aware of them. In fact, there are a surprising number of Jews who don't know about many of these holidays. Sukkot: This festival of booths commemorates the Biblical period of wandering in the desert, and is commemorated by building a temporary shelter (called a sukkah, usually rhymes with "book a") in the yard and eating meals in it. Some spend considerable time in the sukkah, even sleeping there. Sukkot begins on the fifth day after Yom Kippur, in late September or October, and lasts for 7 days. From the perspective of the Bible and Jewish law, this holiday is every bit as important as Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but most American Jews don't see it that way.

About 10% of Jews do not work on the first two days of this holiday (one day for some branches), in accordance with Jewish law, and will not want to travel during this holiday, because they want to be able to have meals in the sukkah. Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah: These two holidays fall immediately after Sukkot. Shemini Atzeret is sort of an extra day tacked onto the end of Sukkot; Simchat Torah celebrates the completion of the annual cycle of Bible readings in sabbath services. About 10% of Jews will take both of these days off from work. Some branches celebrate these two holidays on the same day, which is the first day after Sukkot. Tu B'Shevat: Jewish Arbor Day, used for calculating the age of trees for certain religious purposes. Occurs in late January or early February. There are no restrictions on this holiday that would require accommodation. Purim: Jewish Mardi Gras, more or less. This is a partying holiday celebrating the rescue of the Jews from a Hitler-like figure bent on genocide. Occurs in March, a month before Passover, and lasts for one day.

Although work is technically not forbidden on this holiday, a small number of Jews prefer not to work on it because of rabbinical dictum that no good will come from work done on this day. Yom Ha-Shoah: Holocaust Memorial Day. A day to remember the victims of the Holocaust. Occurs in late April or early May. No accommodations are usually needed. Yom Ha-Atzma'ut, Yom Ha-Zikkaron, Yom Yerushalayim: Israeli Independence Day, Israeli Memorial Day and Jerusalem Day. Yom Ha-Atzma'ut, in late April or May, commemorates the day that the British Palestinian mandate expired, and David Ben-Gurion declared the creation of the State of Israel within the lands that the UN had set aside for a Jewish state in Palestine. Yom Ha-Zikkaron in May is a memorial day for Israeli soldiers who died defending the state of Israel in its many wars. Yom Yerushalayim in late May or early June commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem in Israeli hands during the 1967 War. No accommodations are usually needed.

Cities with large Jewish populations often have parades on a Sunday for Israeli Independence Day, just as cities with large Italian populations have Columbus Day parades. The other two Israel-related holidays get little acknowledgement in America. If gentiles choose to acknowledge these holidays, they should be sensitive to the feelings of Arabs, who may not think that the creation of the state of Israel or the reunification of Jerusalem in the hands of Jews is a cause for celebration, or that the death of Israeli soldiers is a cause for mourning. Shavu'ot: Commemorates the Giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Occurs between Memorial Day and Independence Day, and lasts for one or two days, depending on your branch. Like Sukkot, this holiday is every bit as important as Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but most American Jews don't see it that way. About 10% of Jews do not work on this holiday, in accordance with Jewish law. Tisha B'Av: A fast commemorating the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and other tragedies. Occurs in late July or August. About 10% of Jews observe this fast.

Although work is not forbidden on this day, some prefer not to work on this day because it is difficult to fast while working with others who are not fasting. Minor Fasts: There are five other fast days scheduled at various times of the year, which are observed only from sunrise to sunset. For the 10% or so of Jews who observe these fasts, no accommodations are usually needed, other than sensitivity for the fact that they are not eating. © Copyright 5764-5771 (2004-2011), Tracey R Rich If you appreciate the many years of work I have put into this site, show your appreciation by linking to this page, not copying it to your site. I can't correct my mistakes or add new material if it's on your site. Click Here for more details. Rosh Hashana in Canada Home Calendar Holidays Canada Rosh Hashana Rosh Hashana in Canada Many Jewish Canadians celebrate Rosh Hashana (or Rosh Hashanah), which is also known as the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashana starts on the first day of Tishrei (or Tishri), which is the seventh month in the Jewish calendar, and may last for two days.

It is sometimes called the Day of Remembrance or the Day of Blowing the Shofar. Pomegranates, apples and honey are eaten during Rosh Hashana. Pomegranates, apples and honey are eaten during Rosh Hashana. ©iStockphoto.com/Victoria German What Do People Do? Many Jewish Canadians observe Rosh Hashanah, known as the New Year in the Jewish calendar, for two days, while others celebrate the event for one day. It is a time of family gatherings and special meals. Rosh Hashana commences at nightfall the day before the actual holiday. The celebrations begin after the evening prayer, when family and friends join in to reflect on the past and make a fresh start for the New Year. Jewish Canadians traditionally eat challah bread, pomegranates, and apples dipped in honey on Rosh Hashana. Unlike the secular New Year in the Gregorian calendar (January 1), Rosh Hashana is a time when God reviews and judges a person’s deeds in the past year, according to Jewish belief. It is also a time to look ahead with hope. Many Jewish people in Canada seek forgiveness from friends and family prior to this event.

Rosh Hashana (or Rosh Hashanah) greeting cards are also sent at this time of the year. Another activity that occurs during Rosh Hashana is performing the tashlikh, which involves reciting prayers near naturally flowing water and “throwing sins away” (for example, in the form of bread pieces). The shofar is also blown like a trumpet in the synagogue during this time of the year. Some people of Jewish faith may take the day off work or organize time off during this time of the year, to observe the belief that no work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Public Life Rosh Hashana is not a national public holiday in Canada. However, many Jewish organizations may be closed or have restricted opening hours on Rosh Hashana. Background Rosh Hashana (or Rosh Hashanah) marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and covers two of the 10 High Holy days that conclude with Yom Kippur , the Day of Atonement. Some sources say that the early Jewish calendar had four New Years, corresponding the seasons, with Rosh Hashana being one of the New Years.

Festivals to mark the beginning of a new year in the fall have been held since the earliest days of the Israelites. These took the form of prayers of thanks for the grain harvest. The custom of blowing trumpets on the 10th day of the month of Tishrei is first described in the vision of Ezekiel, a prophet who lived sometime around 600–500 BCE. This custom has continued into modern times. Symbols The challah bread, which is eaten during Rosh Hashana, symbolizes the continuity of life. The apples that are dipped in honey symbolize sweetness and good health throughout the New Year. Some people also eat fish heads, which symbolize their desire to be on top, not the bottom, of life in the New Year. Pomegranates symbolize an abundance of goodness and happiness. The shofar reminds people of Jewish faith that God allowed Abraham to sacrifice a ram instead of Abraham’s son, Isaac. The tashlikh is an act that symbolizes throwing one’s sins in the water, so people believe that they are freed from their sins. About Rosh Hashana in other countries Read more about Rosh Hashana .

Rosh Hashana Observances Note: Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. Select another year-range: Rosh Hashana in Australia Home Calendar Holidays Australia Rosh Hashana Rosh Hashana in Australia Many Jewish Australians celebrate Rosh Hashana (or Rosh Hashanah), which is also known as the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashana starts on the first day of Tishrei (or Tishri), which is the seventh month in the Jewish calendar, and may last for two days. It is sometimes called the Day of Remembrance or the Day of the Sounding of the Shofar. Apples, pomegranates and honey are traditional foods eaten during Rosh Hashana. Apples, pomegranates and honey are traditional foods eaten during Rosh Hashana. ©iStockphoto.com/Shmulitk What Do People Do? Rosh Hashana (Rosh Hashanah) is one of the holiest days of the year for many Jewish Australians. It is known as the New Year in the Jewish calendar. Some Jewish communities celebrate the event for two days, while others celebrate it for one day.

Rosh Hashana differs to the New Year in the Gregorian calendar (January 1) in that Rosh Hashana is a time when God reviews and judges a person's deeds in the past year, according to Jewish belief. It is also a time to look ahead with hope, and for personal growth and reflection. It is also customary for some people to visit deceased loved ones at cemeteries on the eve of the holiday. Many Jewish families gather for special meals to celebrate Rosh Hashana, which commences at nightfall the day before the actual holiday. The celebrations begin after the evening prayer, when family and friends join in to reflect on the past and make a fresh start for the New Year. The challah bread, pomegranates, and apples dipped in honey, and carrot stew are popular dishes during Rosh Hashana. Some people eat fish during Rosh Hashana, while others abstain from fish. Many Jewish Australians spend their time in the synagogue at some stage during Rosh Hashanah. The shofar is blown like a trumpet in the synagogue during this time of the year.

Another activity that occurs during Rosh Hashana is performing the casting ritual (tashlikh), which involves reciting prayers near naturally flowing water and “throwing sins away” (for example, in the form of bread pieces). Some people of Jewish faith may take the day off work or organize time off during this time of the year, to observe the belief that no work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Public Life Rosh Hashana is not a federal public holiday in Australia. However, many Jewish organizations may be closed or have restricted opening hours on Rosh Hashana. Background Rosh Hashana (or Rosh Hashanah) marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and covers two of the 10 High Holy days that conclude with Yom Kippur , the Day of Atonement. Some sources say that the early Jewish calendar had four New Years, corresponding the seasons, with Rosh Hashana being one of the New Years. Festivals to mark the beginning of a new year in the fall have been held since the earliest days of the Israelites. These took the form of prayers of thanks for the grain harvest.

The custom of blowing trumpets on the 10th day of the month of Tishrei is first described in the vision of Ezekiel, a prophet who lived sometime around 600–500 BCE. This custom has continued into modern times. Jewish Australians across the country celebrate Rosh Hashana each year. Judaism came to Australia with the first European settlers in the nation. The 2006 Australian census recorded nearly 89,000 people of Jewish faith in Australia, which was an increase of nearly six percent since the 2001 Australian census. Symbols The challah bread, which is eaten during Rosh Hashana, symbolizes the continuity of life. The apples that are dipped in honey symbolize sweetness and good health throughout the New Year. Some people also eat fish heads, which symbolize their desire to be on top, not the bottom, of life in the New Year. Pomegranates symbolize an abundance of goodness and happiness. The shofar reminds people of Jewish faith that God allowed Abraham to sacrifice a ram instead of Abraham’s son, Isaac.

The tashlikh is an act that symbolizes throwing one’s sins in the water, so people believe that they are freed from their sins. About Rosh Hashana in other countries Read more about Rosh Hashana . Rosh Hashana Observances Note: Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. Select another year-range: 11 questions about the Jewish High Holidays you were too embarrassed to ask 11 questions about the Jewish High Holidays you were too embarrassed to ask 11 questions about the Jewish High Holidays you were too embarrassed to ask A father of a student at Judy Gordon Nursery School at Temple Israel of Natick sang songs and blew the shofar to celebrate Yom Kippur. –The Boston Globe By Eric Levenson September 23, 2014 As a Jewish person, it can get a bit tiring to answer the same questions from non-Jewish friends again and again about the Jewish holidays. So to speed up everyone’s understanding, here’s all you need to know about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, also known as the High Holidays. 1. What are the High Holidays?

The High Holidays are two different holidays, separated over the course of 10 days. The first is Rosh Hashanah, a two-day celebration of the Jewish new year. Eight days after that, we have Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah starts on the night of Sunday September 13 this year, and Yom Kippur starts Tuesday night September 22. Advertisement 2. Jewish new year? Wait, Jews have a different year? Yeah, the Jewish religion follows a separate, lunar-based calendar. That’s why holidays like Hanukkah move around the Gregorian (i.e. “regular’’) calendar every year, which gave us the rare gift of a combined Thanksgiving/Hanukkah celebration two years ago. Thanksgivukkah, we will miss you. The Jewish calendar is also different in that each day is defined to start at sunset, rather than at midnight. That’s why Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur start at night. 3. Do I really need to know about the High Holidays? How many Jews are there in the Boston area?

About 210,000 Jews live in the Greater Boston area, according to a 2005 study from Steinhardt Social Research Institute at Brandeis University. (Only about half of those got their degree from Brandeis.) Basically, there are enough Jews in the area that someone you know will celebrate the High Holidays. Dip some apple slices in honey for a traditional Rosh Hashanah snack, symbolizing the coming sweet year. —Karoline Boehm-Goodnick for The Boston Globe 4. What’s so big about these High Holidays? For Jews, these are the biggest and most important holidays of the year. Most secular Jews even go to synagogue on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. 5. Even bigger than Hanukkah? The High Holidays are way more important than Hanukkah. The biggest thing going for Hanukkah is that it comes at the same time of the year as Christmas, making it a widely-celebrated holiday by proxy. But Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the real heavy hitters of the Jewish holiday schedule. Advertisement 6. So do we get the day off for the High Holidays? It depends where you live.

In most towns, including Brookline, Newton, and Cambridge, public schools were canceled for Rosh Hashanah last year. Still, there are occasionally major events scheduled to take place on the same for the High Holidays. For example, in 2009, a major statewide running competition was held on Rosh Hashanah, and so religious Jews couldn’t participate. Oops. 7. What do Jews do on Rosh Hashanah? Mostly, go to synagogue, reflect on life, and spend time with family. There’s also a lot of really good food to be eaten, including the traditional combo of apples and honey. That mix is supposed to symbolize the hope that the new year will be sweet. It’s also just delicious. 8. Any other fun traditions? Absolutely! A lot of families also cook big beef briskets, potato kugel, or other Jewish cultural foods. Bagels and lox are encouraged. There’s also the shofar, a loud, bugle-like noisemaker made from a ram’s horn. The shofar is like a call to attention, and everyone in synagogue stands and gets quiet to hear the call.

Here’s what it sounds like when a pro blows the shofar: They also make for nice playthings for little kids. Fair warning, though: They really are quite loud. Here’s what it sounds like when a non-pro tries to blow the shofar: 9. Sounds fun! What about Yom Kippur? On Yom Kippur, you don’t drink or eat anything for a whole day. You’re encouraged to reflect on your own faults, apologize to people you’ve wronged, and generally think about all the things you said you would do but failed to do over the past year. Advertisement 10. Oh. Sounds…great? Yom Kippur – or the Day of Atonement, as it’s sometimes called – isn’t supposed to be a fun holiday. It’s meant to be meaningful and a way to think about how to be a better person for the coming year. There is a big feast at the end of the fast, with all the food you could ever imagine, (and which you’ve in fact been imagining the entire, hunger-filled day). Starve yourself for a day and that chocolate cake is twice as delicious. 11. Alright, so how can I impress my Jewish friends?

Here are some things you can say to them that they’ll appreciate: Phrase: “L’shanah tova!’’ – Pronounced: le-SHAH-nah TOE-vah. Meaning: Have a good new year! Phrase: “L’shanah tova umetukah!’’ – Pronounced: le-SHAH-nah TOE-vah oo-MEH-too-kah. Meaning: Have a good and sweet new year! (The extra “and sweet’’ really adds credibility.) Phrase: “Chag sameach!’’ – Pronounced: chag sah-MEH-ach. (Note that the “ch’’ sound comes from the back of the throat, like hocking a loogie.) Meaning: Happy holiday! Phrase: “gut yontef.’’ Pronounced: Good YUN-tiff. Meaning: Have a good holiday, but in Yiddish.

Question: What does the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah celebrate?
Answer: New Year