Happy New Year

Rosh Hashanah, literally, "head of the year," which is commonly known as the Jewish New Year, celebrates the creation of the world. Rosh Hashanah, the first of a string of holidays in the fall, is one of the Jewish nation's holiest days. The Torah refers to Rosh Hashanah as "Yom Ha-Zikaron," the day of remembrance, and "Yom Teruah," the day of sounding the shofar (the ram's horn).

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. The Jewish New Year Celebration has little in common with the secular celebration in January. The traditions and rituals of Rosh Hashanah are not associated with partying, fireworks, or football games, rather they are devised to encourage contemplation, reflection, and self-evaluation. They reinforces the notion of responsibility for one's life, conduct, and actions.

Unlike the other Jewish holidays, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are not connected to nature, agriculture or historical events, rather it's celebrated based on the Torah's instruction in Leviticus 23:24. The Torah says, "...In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a complete rest, a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts."

Mazor Guide to Rosh Hashanah brings you much more about the holiday, its meaning and its traditions... See the links below.

• Rosh Hashanah Home Page

• Rosh Hashanah for Jews Without a Prayer

• What Does Rosh Hashanah Celebrate?

• Rosh Hashanah Customs

• Symbolic Foods

• The Shofar Blasts!

• Candle Lighting & Blessing

• Special Prayers for a Special Holiday

• Torah Reading for Rosh Hashanah

• Tashlich

• Rosh Hashanah Shopping