Rosh Hashanah celebration

L’Shanah Tovah! This translates to “good year” from Hebrew. Rosh Hashanah (literally “Head of the Year” in Hebrew) is the Jewish New Year, and the first of the Jewish High Holy days. The first mention of Rosh Hashanah was found in the Mishna, or the first major collection of Jewish Laws, from 200 C.E. While this holiday may have originated with the Babylonians, rabbis practice Rosh Hashanah as the anniversary of the creation of the world and of humanity. Since Judaism uses a lunar calendar, the date will change every year on the Gregorian calendar, but it most often falls in September or early October.

The celebration of Rosh Hashanah traditionally begins at sunset with an evening meal and services continuing into the next day. Before the first meal on the evening of Rosh Hashanah, candles are lit and a prayer of gratitude for new things is said, the Shehecheyanu blessing. While the food and traditions may vary from household to household, some of the traditional foods include round challah bread with raisins, apples dipped in honey, pomegranates, and many bean-based dishes. The sweetness intrinsic to many of these dishes symbolizes the hope of a sweet new year.