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Rosh Hashanah inaugurates the beginning of the Jewish year and is a feast that celebrates the creation of the world, which is reflected in his name, which means "leader of the year" in Hebrew.
Rosh Hashanah 2018 will begin Sunday, Sept. 9 at sunset, and will continue until nightfall on Tuesday, September 11, marking the beginning of the Days of Fear, a period of reflection and repentance of 10 days that will end with Yom Kippur. or the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah begins the first days of Tishrei (the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar), which usually takes place in September or October, and many choose to celebrate the day only one day.
As a Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah is one of the most sacred moments for those who practice Judaism, with many popular traditions observed.
In anticipation of the first big holy holiday of the year, here is a glimpse into the history of five of Rosh Hashana's most popular traditions.
Wishing someone "Shana Tova"
Those who observe Rosh Hashanah often greet each other with the Hebrew expression "shana tova" or "shana tova", which means "happy new year" or "happy new year". According to History.com, there is "an abridged version of the Rosh Hashanah salutation" The shanah tovah tikatev v taihatem "(" That you are registered and sealed for good year").
The shofar sound
One of the most important ways to observe Rosh Hashanah is the sound of shofar, an instrument made from a ram's horn. The shofar's breath is not only a tradition, but actually a mitzvah, or commandment, to be performed every morning on Rosh Hashanah, unless the first day of the holiday falls on Shabbat (Sabbath). .
A man blows shofar (ram's horn)
Lior Mizrahi – Getty Images
According to History.com, the sound of the shofar is a call to repent and a reminder to the Jews that God is their king. History.com also notes that four sets of notes are traditionally played on the shofar for Rosh Hashanah: tekiah, a long blast; shevarim, three short explosions; teruah, nine explosions of staccato; and Tekiah Gedolah, a very long explosion.
Lighting candles at night
Lighting candles in the evening to celebrate Rosh Hashanah is an important part of the holiday. According to Chabad.org, women and girls light candles at different times before sunset on the first night of vacation and at nightfall on the second night of vacation.
Eat festive meals, including sweet delights and symbolic foods
Although challah bread is consumed many times (including the weekly Shabbat dinner), it is customary to eat a round challah during Rosh Hashanah. The unique circular form symbolizes the cyclical nature of life, as well as the crown of God. Raisins are often added to the dough to symbolize the hope of a sweet New Year, as is the practice of dipping bread in honey instead of salt. Sweetness for a happy new year is also the reason why many people eat honey-dipped apple slices at the beginning of a Rosh Hashanah meal, one of the most famous practices of the party.
Other holiday meals rich in symbols, sometimes served at Rosh Hashanah, include pomegranates and fish heads. According to the Jewish Museum in New York, pomegranates are thought to contain 613 seeds in each fruit, which corresponds to the 613 commandments of the Torah. Pomegranates are also sweet, in keeping with the theme of sweet treats for a new year. The fish heads are sometimes served and eaten on Rosh Hashanah because of the literal meaning of the "head of the year" holiday, and in the hope that the year will be as abundant as the fish in the sea.
Perform Tachlich to a water plan
According to Chabad.org, it is customary for some to observe Rosh Hashanah to go to a body of water to perform a Tachlich ceremony, which consists in symbolically throwing away their sins. Some people literally throw things like bread in the water, and some, following the prayers, shake the corners of their clothes. The ceremony usually takes place on the first day of the holiday, unless the first day falls on Shabbat, in which case it takes place on the second day.
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