MAIN Home Life Holidays/Observances Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashana marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year, when the faithful look back at the mistakes of the past and plan for a better life in the year ahead.

The Bible speaks of Rosh Hashanah as Yom Teruah, the day of the sounding of the shofar, but since then it has become more popularly known as the "first of the year" or Rosh Hashanah.

Holiday traditions include Challah (egg bread) which is normally braided on Shabbat as a round loaf to symbolize the year's cyclical nature. It is also customary to celebrate the hope of a "sweet life" in the coming year with ceremonial apples and honey, pomegranates, and traditional honey cake dessert recipes.

When is Rosh Hashanah? The beginning of the year 5770 in the Jewish calendar, Rosh Hashanah begins this year at sunset on Friday, September 18 and will continue for 2 days until nightfall on Sunday, September 20, 2009.

Happy New Year - Shana Tova

More about Rosh Hashanah around the Web:

Judiasm 101: Rosh Hashanah - With details on the notes played on the shofar with an accompanying audio file, an overview of popular customs and observances that mark the Jewish New Year and more on Rosh Hashanah blessings.

Torah Tots - Rosh Hashanh - Fun as it is educational with descriptions of Selichot prayers, the sounding of the Shofar (ram's horn), Tzom Gedalia and traditional customs together with related coloring pages, e-cards and interactive games.

Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish New Year - Excellent presention from Torah.org with everything you always wanted to know including Rosh Hashanah basics, laws and customs, online classes, a complete page of recipes plus a classy collection of related e-cards.

OU.ORG Presents Rosh HaShanah! - Jewish New Year central, with information on basic-to-advanced information and related links plus an extensive array of audio classes and video presentations. RealPlayer and Windows Media Player required.

Rosh Hashanah Recipes - Including dozens of variations on honey or apple cake, cookies, vegetable and side dishes as well as tzimmes, chicken and pomegranates, and lots more plus a complete menu for a Vegetarian Rosh Hashanah.

also see in Holidays -> Chanukah | Purim | Yom Kippur

also see in Religion -> Judaism