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What is Rosh Hashanah and how is it celebrated?
Evening of Friday September 15, 2023 – Sunday September 17, 2023
Rosh Hashanah which means ‘Head of the Year’ is the Biblical New Year and a time for new possibilities, new goals, and new beginnings. It is a significant and deeply meaningful holiday in the Jewish faith. It marks the beginning of the High Holy Days, a period of introspection, repentance, and spiritual renewal. At its core, Rosh Hashanah is a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal of one’s relationship with both God and fellow human beings. It is believed that on this day, God judges each individual’s deeds from the past year, determining their fate for the upcoming year.
The significance of apples and honey
Families gather together on Rosh Hashanah to share festive meals, typically featuring traditional foods imbued with symbolism. Apples and honey are a staple, symbolizing hope for a sweet and fruitful year ahead. Challah, a braided egg bread, is often baked in a round shape for this occasion, representing the cyclical nature of life and the continuity of the Jewish people. Pomegranates, with their numerous seeds, are also commonly eaten to symbolize abundance and fertility.
