Israel's new year
You're referring to Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year!
Rosh Hashanah, which means "Head of the Year" in Hebrew, is a significant holiday in the Jewish calendar. It marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year, which is celebrated on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, usually in September or October.
Here are some interesting facts about Rosh Hashanah:
- Blowing the Shofar: One of the most distinctive traditions of Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the shofar, a ram's horn. The shofar is blown 100 times during the holiday to awaken the soul and call out to God.
- Apples and Honey: It's customary to eat apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah to symbolize a sweet and prosperous new year.
- Tashlich: On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, many Jews participate in a ceremony called Tashlich, where they symbolically cast away their sins by throwing bread or breadcrumbs into a body of water.
- Yom Hadin: Rosh Hashanah is also known as Yom Hadin, the Day of Judgment, as it's believed that on this day, God judges each person's actions from the past year and decides their fate for the coming year.
- Family and Friends: Rosh Hashanah is a time for family and friends to come together, often for large meals and celebrations.
- Special Foods: Traditional Rosh Hashanah foods include round challah bread, which symbolizes the cycle of life, and dishes like honey cake, which represents sweetness and prosperity.
- Prayer Services: Rosh Hashanah prayer services are longer and more solemn than usual, with special prayers and hymns to mark the occasion.
Rosh Hashanah is a time for reflection, renewal, and celebration, and is considered one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar.