Rosh Hashanah, which leads to Yom Kippur, starts Friday. What to know about Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashanah, one of the largest Jewish holidays of the year, kicks off at sunset on Friday and begins a two-day celebration that leads into a longer stretch culminating in Yom Kippur.
Both are some of the most familiar and important holidays on the Jewish religious calendar. Rosh Hashanah, which can be translated as “first” or “head of the year,” marks the start of the Jewish New Year.
The holiday also begins the Jewish High Holy Days that lead to Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism, where Jews reflect on sins or wrongdoings from the previous year.
Here’s what to know about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
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When is Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?
Rosh Hashanah starts at sundown on Friday and continues through sundown on Sunday. Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Sept. 24 and continues through the next day.
What is Rosh Hashanah and why is it celebrated?
Rosh Hashanah, sometimes referred to as the “birthday of the world,” represents the start of the Jewish New Year. It’s often spent reflecting on the previous year and hopes for the coming year through special prayers, foods and gatherings.
The celebration of the new year is the only Jewish holiday that is two days long inside and outside Israel. It’s called yoma arichta, translated as “a long day” because the 48-hour celebration may be considered as one extended day.
The Jewish High Holy Days kick off the Friday evening Rosh Hashanah begins. The 10 “Days of Awe” are when Jews focus their attention on repentance and reflection leading up to Yom Kippur.
According to tradition, the names of the righteous are written in the Book of Life and names of the wicked are written in the Book of Death. Everyone else has 10 days to repent before their fate is sealed in one of the two books.
How is Rosh Hashanah celebrated?
Rosh Hashanah is celebrated by attending services at synagogues and other spaces for worship. Jewish congregations will recite special prayers and songs to mark the new year.
Some Jewish communities will blow a shofar, a curved ram’s horn. This is also used to observe Yom Kippur to ceremonially conclude the celebration.
During Rosh Hashana, others may also pray near a body of water in a Tashlich ceremony, in addition to tossing pieces of bread or other food into the water to symbolize sending off sins.
What is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day of the year in Judaism and is when Jews reflect on sins or wrongdoings from the previous year.
Jewish people will spend time attending services at synagogues or other congregations, reciting special prayers and singing special songs.
How to greet people during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
If you’re not sure how to greet someone on Rosh Hashanah, you could just say “Shanah Tovah,” which means “good year” in Hebrew. The word “u’metuka” – meaning “and sweet” – is sometimes added to the end of that phrase as in “good and sweet year.”
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Rosh Hashanah starts tonight. What to know about Jewish New Year
