Rosh Hashanah 2022: When Is It, And How Is It Celebrated?
What And
When Is Rosh Hashanah? Rosh Hashanah is a religious and festive time when
family and friends gather together for meals and worship and grow closer to
God. It’s a time for looking forward to a new year with anticipation and
reflecting on the past year to improve ourselves for the next. This
two-day Jewish celebration of the New Year literally translates to “head of the
year” in Hebrew. It is observed on the first and second days of the Jewish
month of Tishrei, the first month in the civil calendar. In 2022, it begins on
Monday, September 26, and ends at sundown, Tuesday, September 27.
Yom Teruah is
the biblical name for this holy day. Teruah means a massive shout by a crowd or
the blowing of a horn. Its origin can be traced back to the Old Testament book
of Numbers, in the Bible. The children of Israel were commanded by the Lord to
make this observance: And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month,
ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of
blowing the trumpets unto you.
Traditions
Of Rosh Hashanah
Candle-Lighting
It is customary for the women or girls to light candles in the home to
usher in the holiday, and on each evening throughout Rosh Hashanah. Blessings
are recited when the candles are lit. Check out more on lighting the candles
and reciting blessings.
Blessings
& Prayers In addition to the blessings spoken during the lighting of
candles each evening, other blessings called Kiddush (meaning sanctification)
are recited before the meal. A blessing is spoken over the wine, and another
blessing is recited over the bread.
Pomegranate
- Plant-based diet Challah bread is always fashioned into a round loaf for
Rosh Hashanah and served with honey. The circle symbolizes the seasons and
cycle of life. Eating sliced apples dipped in honey is another Rosh Hashanah
tradition. Honey symbolizes the desire to have a sweet, enjoyable, and
bountiful year. No bitter, sour or tart foods like horseradish or vinegar at
this holiday meal. Pomegranate is another customary food on the Rosh
Hashanah table. The vast number of seeds in this fruit represents the desire
for a productive and abundant life.
Attend
Synagogue Services—Gathering together in a synagogue for prayer services is
an important part of Rosh Hashanah. Special prayers for this holy service and
readings from the Torah are read from the Machzor prayer book. Some synagogues
will live stream their services this Rosh Hashanah for those unable to attend.
Listen to a
Shofar—The shofar is a trumpet typically made from a hollowed-out ram’s
horn. In ancient biblical times, the shofar was blown during temple worship and
in battle, such as in the battle of Jericho (Joshua, Chapter 6). The sounding
of the shofar today remains a key element of the Rosh Hashanah synagogue
service. For the hearer, it is a demonstration of his obedience to God’s
commandment. According to Rabbi Saadia Gaon, hearing the sound of the shofar
stirs excitement within us, reminding the listener that God is King of the
world, awakening slumbering souls that have grown complacent.
Casting
Bread Crumbs on Water — This custom is known as the Tashlich ceremony. It
involves going to a natural, outdoor water source, (river, creek, lake, pond,
or ocean) and throwing bread crumbs on the water. This act symbolizes casting
away the things you’ve done wrong. A prayer for this ceremony is found in the
Machzor prayer book.
Self-Reflection
— Rosh Hashanah encourages self-examination of the past year to see where
you’ve “missed the mark.” Evaluate the personal aspects of your life, the
negative and positive to decide what you should do differently in the future,
how you can improve, and “hit the mark” in the new year.
10 Days Of
Awe The 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Yippur (which is October 4-5,
2022) are significant days known as the “10 Days of Awe” or the “10 Days of
Repentance.” During this time, further introspection takes place. Other
positive ways to use this time for spiritual enrichment is to pray, perform
charitable deeds, acts of loving kindness, seek forgiveness, and reconciliation
with others. It is said that one’s actions between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Yippur
can change God’s judgments toward us into blessings.
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