Rosh Hashana is an important religious holiday, with which the Jewish New Year is celebrated. It usually falls in September or October, generally lasts for two days and is a recurrence characterized by ancient and suggestive traditions.
Steps
Step 1. Reflect on the past and contemplate the future
The meaning of the Hebrew expression Rosh Hashana is "new year". Traditionally, the birthday of the world is celebrated on this day. It is a time when you learn from the mistakes made in the previous year and think about how to improve yourself in the future. It is also time for projects and end-of-year resolutions, big and small.
Step 2. Practice the ritual bath (Mikveh)
On the eve of Rosh Hashana, it will help you purify yourself spiritually for the upcoming holiday.
Step 3. Attend the function in the synagogue
Usually we dress well for this very solemn party, so plan for formal or at least elegant informal attire.
Step 4. Listen to the sound of the shofar
It is the only explicit commandment in which, in the Torah, reference is made to the celebration of this feast. The shofar is a ram's horn, which is blown by the Ba'al tekiah, or shofar player, during the religious service. It is a symbol of spiritual awakening and reflection. Since we do not know exactly the technique with which it was played in ancient times in the Temple, four different rings are emitted, to make sure that everyone can hear it:
- Tekiah: a ring of a few seconds, abruptly interrupted.
- Shevarim: Three 1-2 second rings, with rapid transition from low to high tones.
- Teruah: nine short and quick rings.
- Tekiah Gedolah: a long and continuous ring, traditionally protracted for nine bars, but which, in some less traditionalist contexts, tends to last as long as possible.
Step 5. Observe the Tashlikh (Hebrew for "throwing away"), which is the custom of going to a stream and emptying one's pockets inside
In general, stale bread crumbs are thrown away. It is a tradition that is observed in the early afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashana.
Step 6. Say blessings for candles, wine, and challah (Hebrew for "bread")
The latter is a form of bread which, for the occasion, is round, to symbolize the cyclical nature of the solar year.
Step 7. Eat apples dipped in honey
Also in this case it is a food custom that represents the hope that the new year will be as sweet as honey. Another traditional food for Rosh Hashana is pomegranate. According to Jewish tradition, this fruit contains 613 seeds, which correspond to the 613 commandments. The symbolic meaning is the wish that the new year will be fruitful and fruitful.
Step 8. Please note:
if Rosh Hashana falls on a Saturday, the shofar is not sounded.
