Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is a holiday in the religion of Judaism. Followers of Judaism are known as Jews.

Rosh Hashanah takes place in September or October. The dates of Rosh Hashanah are based on the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of Tishrei. Tishrei is one of the months of the Jewish year. Tishrei always starts in September or October.

Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Jewish New Year.

It also celebrates the beginning of the world. Rosh Hashanah is the first two days of the month of Tishrei. According to Jewish tradition, God created the world at the beginning of Tishrei.

Many Jews go to religious services on Rosh Hashanah. Since the services are during the day, people often have to miss work or school to go.

A shofar is a trumpet made out of a ram's horn. Blowing a shofar is an important part of Rosh Hashanah religious services.

The shofar is blown to remind Jews to repent, or show that they are sorry for their sins. A sin is a particularly bad act.

The shofar blower will usually go through four different types of blasts:

1. Tek'iah: a blast lasting a few seconds

2. Shevarim: three shorter blasts

3. Teruah: at least nine very short blasts

4. Tekiah

5. Gedolah: a very long blast

Individuals eat the following on Rosh Hashanah:

• • People often eat apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah. Both foods are sweet. People eat them to have a sweet beginning to the new year.

  • A round loaf of challah is also a Rosh Hashanah tradition. Challah is a kind of bread made with eggs. It is usually baked as a long, braided loaf. On Rosh Hashanah, however, it is usually baked in a round loaf. Some say the round loaf stands for the cycle of the year. Others say the round loaf stands for the crown of God.

  • Another Rosh Hashanah food is the pomegranate. A pomegranate is a kind of fruit. Some people say the seeds represent the many mitzvot, or commandments, from God.

Hebrew phrase English translation

Rosh Hashanah head of the year

Shanah Tova good year

In English, both phrases have the word "year" in them. In Hebrew, both phrases have "shanah" in them. So, you can tell that shanah means year. Now, look at the remaining pieces. In Hebrew, rosh means head and tov means good.

Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of a period called the Ten Days of Repentance. The period ends with holiday of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is a day of atonement, or making up for one's sins. On Yom Kippur, many Jews fast, or go without food. Together, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as the High Holidays. They are two of the most important holidays in Judaism.