Shana Tova! That's Hebrew for Good Year.
Because my mom's side of our family has a Jewish family heritage, I grew up getting to eat my grandma's matzo ball soup, latkes, bagels and lox! I wanted to ask one of my friends more about this holiday to learn for myself, and also to share with you! If you celebrate a holiday that you'd like to share more about with our readers, send me an email at MichelleHolly@MacaroniKID.com!
My friend is Michelle P. with The Orlando Millenial. You can follow her on Instagram and check out her website/blog!
Will you explain what Rosh Hashanah is?
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Instead of January 1st being considered the new year, we (Jews) consider this the start of our year as we go by a different calendar. It is currently year 5783 and is about to be year 5784! Our calendar goes by the moon, so each day is from sundown to sundown. So, Rosh Hashanah will start this year at sundown on September 15th and be celebrated for two days (ending the evening of September 17th). Also, because of our calendar being like this, our holidays may fall on different days on the Gregorian calendar that is widely used today.
What are some ways Jews might celebrate?
Many Jews celebrate different ways, as Judaism is often looked at as a culture and not just as a religion, but traditionally one would go to synagogue for many hours to pray and hear a shofar blown. A shofar is a ram's horn and they make different sounds throughout the prayers. Both nights of Rosh Hashanah there are usually big dinners, think Thanksgiving meals, where family and friends gather around. Holiday candles are lit with prayers said, and there will be challah. However, instead of the traditional long braided challah, it is usually round to symbolize the year being round, and will often include raisins to make it sweet. Many will put honey on it too, to make it extra sweet. We also dip apples in honey, again to be sweet - all of this to symbolize a sweet new year - Judaism often does a lot of symbolic things during holidays. Many include a new fruit in their meal too, to symbolize the start of a new season and year. It is not uncommon to serve dishes that have sweet ingredients or to serve desserts like honey cake. This holiday is meant to be joyous and festive.
What is an important aspect of this holiday?
This holiday starts the time of repenting. It’s the beginning of the year so traditionally Jews use this time to ask for forgiveness from those in their life. Some people may take breadcrumbs and throw them into the lake, each one symbolizing something they are trying to ask forgiveness for. Jews do this until the next high holy holiday, which is Yom Kippur, less than 2 weeks after. That is not as joyous of a holiday.
What else can you share that would be good for us to know?
Rosh Hashanah is one of the major holidays for Jews. Many may think Hanukkah is, due to the closeness to Christmas. But in reality, this time of year is one of the most holiday filled and important for Jews, followed by Passover in the Spring. After Rosh Hashanah, we have Yom Kippur and then one of my favorites, Sukkot.
As this is a high holiday, just like on the sabbath, if someone is orthodox or just more observant, they will not do any work during this time. This includes the use of electronics, writing, cooking, driving, turning lights on/off, watching TV, etc.
Thanks, Michelle P. for sharing about Rosh Hashanah! I'll be sure to eat something sweet this weekend and wish you a Good Year!
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