I know a number of people who are now celebrating Rosh HaShanah which is the Jewish New Year. This collage is one big greeting card to all of them. The images here were taken at a local bookstore and are actually from greeting cards used at this time of year for this celebration. I took these photos yesterday. L’shana Tova means “for a good year.” Many people just say Shana Tova.
Sundown on Sunday was when Rosh HaShanah started. Two people I know began the celebration this past Sunday by baking challah bread. They sent me a photo of them with the bread which looked delicious and I’m sorry that I couldn’t be there to share it with them.
Since I wanted to find out more about the holiday, I looked it up and this is what I found:
“Rosh HaShanah (ראש השנה) is the Jewish New Year. It falls once a year during the month of Tishrei and occurs ten days before
Yom Kippur. Together, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are known as the Yamim Nora’im, which means the Days of Awe in Hebrew. In English they are often referred to as the High Holy Days.
The Meaning of Rosh HaShanah
Rosh HaShanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew. It falls in the month of Tishrei, which is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar. The reason for this is because the Hebrew calendar begins with the month of Nissan (when it’s believed the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt) but the month of Tishrei is believed to be the month in which God created the world. Hence, another way to think about Rosh HaShanah is as the birthday of the world.
Rosh HaShanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei. Jewish tradition teaches that during the High Holy Days God decides who will live and who will die during the coming year. As a result, during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur (and in the days leading up to them) Jews embark upon the serious task of examining their lives and repenting for any wrongs they have committed during the previous year. This process of repentance is called teshuvah. Jews are encouraged to make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. In this way, Rosh HaShanah is all about making peace in the community and striving to be a better person.
Even though the theme of Rosh HaShanah is life and death, it is a holiday filled with hope for the New Year. Jews believe that God is compassionate and just, and that God will accept their prayers for forgiveness.”
I’m glad that I found this invaluable explanation about what this holiday is all about. I hope to have my own little “New Year” following along the lines of what I have come to understand here. No effort to make peace in the community and any striving to be a better person is ever wasted. Hope you enjoy the collage. L’shana Tova! Shana Tova!Happy New Year!