Rosh Hashanah - A Time of Reflection, Prayer, Forgiveness and Deterrmination

Each year Rosh Hashanah is celebrated as the Jewish New Year. Rather than the rowdy frolic of the New Year celebrated on every December 31st, this holiday is part of the special time of reflection on the past year. Each person takes the time to review how they behaved in the past year during the Ten Days of Awe that occur prior to Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah is the first day of these ten days.

During this time period there is a traditional blowing of the shofar in some communities. The shofar is a horn made from one of the horns of any kosher animal, except a cow. This horn can be quite beautiful and intricately shaped, though it usually only sounds three notes. In many communities this horn is blown every morning during the entire month. It is meant to ‘remind’ those that hear the horn they are being examined by God for their behavior in the past year.

Since this is the New Year in Jewish religion it also celebrates all of creation and the birth and binding of Isaac, who happened to be the longest lived of the Old Testament patriarchs and the only one who never left the land of Canaan. In general this holiday is celebrated with festive meals, prayers and self-examination.

Larger family meals are filled with many symbolic foods during Rosh Hashanah. Foods like apples and honey represent the sweetness of the New Year and can be made into many tasty dessert treats. Tongue meat and other meat from the head can be served in some places to literally symbolize, ‘the head of the new year.’ Lots of fruit is served up at the meal to help symbolize a fruitful New Year and other foods that are mentioned in the bible are served as well, such as Black Eyed Peas, Leeks, Dates, and Pomegranates.