L’Shanah Tovah! Last night at sundown, the Jewish New Year began with Rosh Hashanah. This two-day celebration is a time of reflection and repentance, and marks the beginning of the High Holy Days. It’s a time for sending good wishes for the year and gathering with family and friends.
Fun facts about Rosh Hashanah
How much to do you know about Rosh Hashanah? We’ve compiled some interesting facts about this Jewish New Year celebration:
- Rosh Hashanah means “beginning of the year” in Hebrew.
- A significant ritual is the sounding of the Shofar—a hallowed out ram’s horn that is blown like a trumpet and used as a call to repentance.
- No work is allowed on Rosh Hashanah.
- The common salutation is “L’shanah tovah,” which means “for a good year.”
- Pomegranates are eaten because the number of seeds believed to be contained in the fruit (613) is the same number of mitzvoth (commandments) associated with the Jewish faith.
- Fish is a typical dish served and represents knowledge, since its eyes are always open, and it is customary for the head of the fish to be placed in front of the head of household.
- The most popular food custom is eating apples and honey to express hope for a sweet new year.
- According to the Talmud, the world was created on the first day of Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. So, Rosh Hashanah is considered a birthday of sorts for the world.
Happy New Year from us to you!
