The blowing of the shofar is an important part of Rosh Hashanah. Crredit: The Gifted Photographer, Flickr
Observant Jews attend services at a synagogue in the evening and during both days of the holiday. Daytime services typically start by 9 am and go until at least noon. On Rosh Hashanah, Jews refrain from work and other types of activity forbidden on the Sabbath, such as using electricity and writing, but can prepare cooked food for use at holiday meals. Jewish children do not attend school on Rosh Hashanah; in communities with large Jewish populations, schools may even close for the holiday.
A traditional Rosh Hashanah celebration incorporates a variety of customs. Some are done as a group while others require individual action.
Blowing the Shofar
Perhaps the highlight of two nights and days of synagogue services is the blowing of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. A shofar is made from the horn of a kosher animal and is used to make several types of sounds. It takes extensive practice to learn to blow shofar correctly. At services each day during Rosh Hashana, at least 100 blasts of the shofar are blown, except on Shabbos (Saturday) when it is not blown. Individuals who are unable to attend synagogue services can arrange for a ba'al tekiah, or shofar blower, to come to them, as all Jews are commanded to hear the shofar blasts on Rosh Hashanah.
The shofar, often a ram's horn, serves as a reminder of the ram that Abraham sacrificed in place of his son Isaac. The sound is also celebratory; after all, the holiday marks the birthday of the world and offers a chance for Jews to recommit to God. Finally, the ritual is reminiscent of the shofar blown at the giving of the Ten Commandments, and thus reminds Jews of the importance of the Torah.
Tashlich
Jews believe that on Rosh Hashanah, God inscribes each person in the Book of Life, and on Yom Kippur that book is sealed. So the time period between the holidays, known as the Days of Awe, is a time of repenting, reflecting on past deeds, and committing to being a better person. One of the most ritualistic Rosh Hashanah traditions is tashlich, the practice of gathering at a body of water to symbolically cast away one's sins. Some people throw bread or stones in the water in a literal interpretation of this practice, in addition to reading specific prayers associated with the ritual.
Asking and Giving Forgiveness
Through repentance, charity and prayer Jews can obtain forgiveness for sins against God. But God can not forgive an individual for a sin against another person; the individual must seek forgiveness from that person directly. Thus, beginning on Rosh Hashanah and continuing through Yom Kippur, Jews ask those they have hurt or may have offended for forgiveness, and grant forgiveness to those who seek it.
Apples and Honey
What would a Jewish holiday be without rituals related to food? Rosh Hashanah celebrations have their share of food-related customs. It is traditional upon returning home from synagogue to eat apples dipped in honey, as a symbol of the good sweet year that Jews hope God will grant them in the year to come. At holiday meals, kiddush over wine is followed by the blessing over challah bread, which is eaten dipped in honey rather than in the usual salt.
In a related Rosh Hashanah tradition, some Jewish families eat pomegranate during the holiday. The fruit not only symbolizes the abundance that is desired for the coming year, but also contains the exact number of seeds to represent the 613 commandments or mitzvot mentioned in the Torah, so it serves also as an expression of Jews' desire to fill their lives with mitzvot. Jews may also incorporate other Jewish holiday dishes into their festive meals representing sweetness and abundance.
