Rosh HaShanah

Rosh HaShanah means Head of the Year and has this name because it is considered the “spiritual” new year even though it falls during the seventh month of the year on the Hebrew calendar. In Scripture, it is called Yom Teruah (The Day of Sounding/Festival of Trumpets) and is described in Leviticus 23:23-25. Rosh HaShanah is a day to focus on repentance and making changes that will lead to a new year that will please G-d. In fact, Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Yomim Nora’im (Ten Days Of Awe) the last of which is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. We eat tzimmes (carrots with honey), honey cake and apples and honey, symbolizing our hope for a sweet new year. The shofar is a key part of the services, sounding as a “wake-up call” to us, as well as to hail G-d, the King of Kings and the One who will be our Judge. With great anticipation, we look forward to the day when the shofar will sound signaling Messiah’s return and the regathering of those who are united with Him.