Rosh Hashanah

What is the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and the day on which the world was created. The two-day festival begins on the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which falls in September or October.

The holiday has many names. Sometimes it is referred to as Yom Hazikaron (Day of Remembrance), other times as Yom Hadin (Day of Judgement), since this is the day when God determines the fate of His people for the year ahead, and often as Yom Teruah (Day of Shofar Blowing). 

The Jewish New Year is packed with interesting and fun customs, such as the sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn), dipping apples in honey and eating other sweet foods, sending holiday greeting cards, and reciting special prayers.

 

What you need to celebrate Rosh Hashanah?

A Shofar:

The sounding of the shofar—a trumpet made from a ram’s horn—is an essential and emblematic part of both Rosh Hashanah. The shofar blower sounds four types of notes: tekiah, a long blast; shevarim, three short blasts; teruah, nine staccato blasts; and tekiah gedolah, a very long blast. 

Shofars (or shofarot in proper Hebrew) come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and lengths. You can purchase a polished shofar - easier to clean - or an all-natural one. Many people prefer to purchase decorated ram’s horns, with silver plating, paint, or other adornments. That’s because outside of their use on Rosh Hashanah, shofars make excellent home decorations.

 

Apples & Honey:

Another tradition is to dip apples in honey - hoping to evoke a sweet New Year - and to eat a variety of sweet dishes during several holiday feasts. Our honey dishes range from glass to ceramic to dishes made from various metals, and come hand-painted or designed in many cases. 

We also have a collection of holiday-themed serveware in a variety of sizes, and at different price points, for those who are hosting guests or looking to bring their host a special gift. Our serverware is beautiful and often one-of-a-kind.

 

Machzor:

The Rosh Hashanah prayer book is called a Machzor. It is like a traditional siddur but contains all the prayers and Torah readings for the Jewish New Year, such as the shofar blowing ceremony. It is important to find a machzor that fits you and your preferences for page and font sizes, and language (Hebrew, English, transliteration).

 

New Year’s Cards:

It is customary on Rosh Hashanah to wish people “L’shanah tovah tikatev v’tichatem” (“May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year”) or “Gemar chatimah tovah” (“A good inscription and sealing [in the Book of Life]”). Family, friends and other loved ones enjoy receiving holiday gifts cards with these greetings. 

 

Calendars:

Since Rosh Hashanah is the start of a new year, many people buy their new holiday calendar in time for the holiday. Judaica.com’s selection of calendars is sure to infuse your home with a dose of spirituality and allow you to set your schedule to “God’s timing”, helping you keep track of Jewish holidays from Rosh Hashanah to Tu B’Av - Jewish Valentine’s Day.

 

Want other ideas of what to get for Rosh Hashanah? See our Rosh Hashanah toys and other novelty pieces.