Rosh Hashanah, the 2-day celebration of the Jewish New Year, begins Wednesday, Oct 2, 2024, at sundown and ends on Friday, Oct 4, 2024 at sundown. These are the first two days of the Jewish month of Tishri and the beginning of the 10 days of Awe, culminating in the High Holiday of Yom Kippur.
This time of penitence, prayer, and services at a Synagogue commemorates the beginning of humanity in God’s world and strengthens that relationship. The Torah describes it as Yom Teruah (which literally translates as the Day of Shouting) which is the Feast of Trumpets and thus, the Shofar (a ram’s horn) is blown as a symbolic spiritual wake-up call during the morning services.
Families celebrate by attending special services at the synagogue, lighting candles at home, and eating delicious foods like roasted lamb with dried fruits, rice or couscous, and matzoh ball soup. Dates, pomegranates, raisin challah, and apples dipped in honey represent the desire for a sweet new year.
“The sound of the shofar – the ancient alarm - rouses us from indifference, moves us to action, and renews our conviction to keep going despite seemingly insurmountable challenges…The shofar is the catalyst that allows us to rise from mourning the persecution of our people to celebrating the giving of the Torah. The shofar inspires us to rise above despair and embrace the promise of a better tomorrow.” –Robert Bank, President and CEO of American Jewish World Service
Shana tova umetukah! Have a good and sweet year!
Anyada Buena, Dulse i Alegre! May you have a good, sweet, and happy New Year!