Rosh Hashana • ראש השנה
The Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashanah 2024 begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2, and ends with nightfall on Friday, October 4.
What is Rosh Hashana?
Rosh Hashana is the Head of the Jewish Year, the birthday of the world, and the day G-d created Adam and Eve.
It is observed by listening to the sound of the shofar, eating sweet foods, and spending time in prayer, amongst other customs.
How can I celebrate?
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Listening to the sound of the shofar is a central aspect of the holiday. Let us know if you’d like to schedule a Shofar blowing!
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Prayer. This is a holy time, where we open our hearts and speak to G-d.
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Try sampling a sweet dish, particularly one made with honey, to infuse your year with sweetness!
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Lighting holiday candles on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, before sundown. When in a hospital where open flames are not allowed, electric ones may be used. Reach out if you'd like to receive a candle lighting kit!
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The Cry of the Shofar
There are things that are important to us, so we speak about them.
There are things so important to us that the words flow out in a burst of emotion, rich words, expressive and vibrant.
And then there are things that shake us to the core. Things that do not care for the mind’s permission or for the right words—for the mind cannot fathom them, the most poignant words could not contain them. Things that can only break out in a cry, in a scream, and then in silence.
This is the sound of the shofar: The very core of our souls crying, “Dad! Don’t leave me here alone!”
-Tzvi Freeman
Why a Shofar?
Here are some deeper insights into this special mitzvah:
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The shofar’s cry is like a broken heart; it pierces the heavens and carries our prayers straight to G-d’s throne.
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On Rosh Hashana, we crown G-d as king of the universe. The shofar's call is announcing His coronation.
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It reminds us the blasts we heard when G-d gave us the Torah at Mt. Sinai. It also gives us hope by mirroring the blasts that will herald the coming of Moshiach, when the world will be at peace.
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Did you know that we celebrate Rosh Hashanah on the anniversary of mankind (Day 6 of Creation), and not on the anniversary of the universe (Day 1)?
This is because we, the descendants of Adam, play an integral role in Creation.
G‑d created an incomplete world. It is up to us to use the coming year to fill in that gap, by instilling the world with goodness and kindness, one mitzvah at a time.
Wishing you a Shana Tova U'Mesuka!