Shana Tova: Rosh Hashanah. Happy Jewish New year

Shana Tova! Yes, that greeting means that it’s Jewish New Year – or, as it’s also known, Rosh Hashanah.

This year the celebration runs from sunset (Sunday, September 9) through to nightfall on Tuesday (September 11) – and in Jewish calendar terms, will be ushering in the year 5779. But what exactly is Rosh Hashanah? And how come people are celebrating New Year now? Why is this Jewish tradition so important and how exactly is it celebrated? Allow us to explain.

Rosh Hashanah – or to give it its Hebrew translation ‘the head of the year’ – is the Jewish New Year. It’s considered a major date in the Jewish calendar, and the majority of Jewish people keep or mark it in some way, regardless of their levels of religious observance the rest of the year. This year it kicks off tonight (Sunday) at sunset, and will come to an end at sunset on Tuesday.

Traditional Jewish New Year greetings?

Shana Tova, which is Hebrew for ‘a good year’. Some people also say Shanah Tovah Umetukah, meaning ‘a good and sweet year’ too.

Why is it in September?

That’s because Jewish festivals are determined by the Hebrew calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar. And if you think the whole New Year in September thing’s nuts, the fact it’s about to become 5779 in the Jewish calendar is also pretty mind-blowing – especially given in Gregorian terms we’re only in 2018. How do Jewish people mark Rosh Hashanah? Most Jews will mark the festival by attending their synagogue and spending time with family and friends. Although it’s a time for celebration, it’s also regarded as quite a solemn festival. People are encouraged to take the opportunity for personal reflection and ask forgiveness for their wrongdoings over the year just gone.

*Is there any special food?*Jewish holiday we’re talking about – of course to much food.
Traditionally you eat apples dipped in honey, in the hope of having a sweet year, and honey cake… which is delicious.
Are there any other traditions or customs?
If you go to synagogue on Rosh Hashanah you’ll hear the Shofar – an instrument made out of a ram’s horn – being blown, to remind you to think about your actions in the past year, repent, start afresh etc.

*Anything else?*
It’s also traditional to wear white (as a colour of purity). New clothes are also traditional.
The following week is regarded as a period of reflection (although normal life resumes), culminating next weekend in the festival of Yom Kippur – a 25-hour fast during which the whole ‘repenting’ business reaches its peak – and you get a bit peckish.
It also kicks off a month-long cycle of festivals which is followed by Sukkot, a harvest festival, and the festive Simchat Torah – Rejoicing Of The Law – which rounds things off with a massive celebration.