Rosh Hashanah is the first holiday of the year as it celebrates the Jewish New Year. In 2023, Rosh Hashanah takes place in September. What are the traditions and customs of this religious holiday?
Rosh Hashanah celebration celebrates the Jewish New Year, and commemorates the creation of the world and the day of judgment. It is closely linked to Yom Kippour (the feast of the ‘Great Forgiveness’), from which it is separated by the ten days of penance. When is the Hebrew New Year in 2023? What are the rites and traditions of this Jewish holiday? Here is the information you need to know about the Rosh Hashanah 2023.
What are the dates of Rosh Hashanah in 2023?
In 2023, Rosh Hashanah begins on Friday evening, September 15, and ends on Sunday, September 17 at nightfall.
What is the year of Rosh Hashanah 2023?
In 2023, the holiday of Rosh Hashanah allows us to begin the year 5784 of the Hebrew calendar.
What is the meaning of Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah means the “head of the year” and thus corresponds to the Jewish New Year. This traditional holiday precedes Yom Kippur, which takes place 10 days later and refers to the creation of Adam and Eve.
Referred to in the Bible as “Ringing Day”, Rosh Hashanah is a moment of introspection since it is a question, for the practitioners, of review the year. Good resolutions will naturally follow this examination of conscience.
Getting to the Mikveh
On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, as with most Jewish holidays, observant Jews can immerse themselves in a Mikveh, the ritual bath. This rite of purification makes it possible to pray in the best conditions on the day of judgment.
Listen to the Shofar
Participating in the ceremony at the synagogue is also an important part of Rosh Hashanah, where the Torah is read. It is customary during the Jewish New Year festivities to blow the shofar, musical instrument made from a ram’s horn, for repentance, during the two feast days.
What is Tashlik?
Another symbolic ritual for the faithful, the Tashlikh consists of going on the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah near a stream in order to throw pieces of bread or pebbles into it. A way to symbolically shed the sins of the past year.
A feast meal
As with most Jewish holidays, the lighting of the candles is followed by a festive meal and blessings over wine and challah. Referring to the bread in Hebrew, (traditionally a brioche bread) the allah has on this day a circular shape to evoke the cycle of the year. Traditionally, it is tasted with honey.
What to put on the table, on the Rosh Hashanah platter?
On the occasion of Rosh Hashanah, several prayers are recited over different foods arranged in a Seder plate:
- squash
- Spinach or chard
- Fish or a sheep’s head
- Sesame
- Dates
- Pomegranates
- Apple dipped in honey
- Jujube
What Meals on Rosh Hashanah?
THE soft and sweet dishes are privileged during the celebration of Rosh Hashanah. Apples dipped in honey, dates, figs, squash and pomegranates garnish the tables.
Thus, the pomegranate, having many seeds, symbolizes abundance, honey, sweetness.
Another custom: the fish head that is eaten to express the wish to always be in the lead and to master situations with intelligence and wisdom.
We also taste a “new fruit”, on which a special prayer (Cheheyanou) is made. It is a fruit not consumed since it was out of season (usually figs, pomegranates, dates or prickly pears…).
Sour or bitter dishes are not welcome on Rosh Hashanah celebrations. To benefit from a “sweet year”, we try above all to consume foods in this image… According to customs, families cook couscous, lamb and potatoes, or Tafina, a specialty based on stewed meat, wheat, potatoes and eggs…
It is by the use of the expression “Shana tova oumetouka“, in other words “happy new year” that the Jews wish each other a happy new year. However, this is not the only expression you may hear.
Before Rosh Hashanah, Jews, for example, readily use the formula “Ketiva va’hatima tova“, Or “Gmar Hatima Tova”, meaning “A good inscription and a good seal in the book of life”. As with all Jewish holidays, one can also simply wish a Happy Hag Sameah Day
When to say “Shana Tova”?
The expression Shana Tova is used throughout Rosh Hashanah and until Yom Kippur, to wish a happy holiday to his loved ones.