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Shana tovah u’metukah

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Happy New Year- Jewish New Year that is! Rosh Hashanah is considered one of Judaism’s holiest days and will occur from September 6-8 this year. Keep reading to learn more about one of the most important days to Jews worldwide. 

Fast Facts

  • Rosh Hashanah literally translates to “head of the year”
  • The holiday spans two days and begins on the first day of Tishrei, which is the seventh month of the Hebrew Calendar
  • Rosh Hashanah 2021 began at sundown on September 6 and is celebrated through nightfall on September 8.
  • Since the Hebrew calendar differs from the Gregorian calendar used in the U.S. Rosh Hashanah’s date varies from year to year, but always almost falls in September or October
  • According to Hebrew tradition, the timing marks the creation of the world, hence the “new year” aspect of the holiday
  • The holiday also marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, which is ten days of introspection and repentance for the previous year’s sins
  • After the ten days, Yom Kippur is observed, which is the day Jews believe God decides people’s fate in the new year
  • Working is prohibited on the holiday, and many Jews spend the day at a synagogue instead
  • A huge part of holiday’s tradition is the sounding of the shofar, made from a hollowed-out ram’s horn which is a trumpet that gets played in four sets of notes
  • The shofar produces three “voices”: tekiah (a long blast), shevarim (a series of three short blasts), and teruah (a staccato burst of at least nine blasts)
  • The cry of the instrument serves as a reminder to repent and acknowledge that God is king
  • Rosh Hashanah coincides with Shabbat; the shofar is not blown on that day.
  • Following the synagogue service, a meal is traditionally had at home that gathers families together with foods representing positive hopes and wishes for the new year
  • Some of the traditional foods served are apples with honey and round challah bread
  • It’s traditional to eat a fruit you haven’t eaten for a long time on the second night of Rosh Hashanah. Many choose to eat a pomegranate. 
  • Jews greet each other on Rosh Hashanah with “L’shana tovah” which translates to “for a good year”

We at the Auburn Examiner wish all of our Jewish readers a happy and healthy Rosh Hashanah. May this new year bring blessings of health and good spirits to you and yours.

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Curious about other holidays we celebrate? Learn more from our past coverage or contact us to let us know a future holiday you want to see covered.

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