What is Rosh Hashana?
Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year Festival. It is considered one of the ‘High Holy’ days and is observed by many Jewish people across the globe.
Traditionally, one greets people by wishing them a ‘Shana Tova U’Metuka’ (a good and sweet year).
When is Rosh Hashana?
This year Rosh Hashana begins in the evening of Wednesday, 2 October and ends at nightfall of Friday the 4th October.
This marks the start of the year 5785 in the Jewish Calendar!
How is it celebrated?
There are many ways to celebrate Rosh Hashana, including through prayer and blowing the Shofar (a ram’s horn).
There are also many symbolic customs, such as eating an apple dipped in honey to represent having a sweet year ahead or eating pomegranate seeds, which represent abundance and merit!
Glossary of key terms
Shanah tovah – a common greeting for Rosh Hashana which means “Good Year” in Hebrew.
Shofar – a trumpet/horn made from the horn of a kosher animal.
Mitzvah – meaning ‘Commandment’, e.g. it is a mitzvah to hear the shofar being blown during Rosh Hashanah.
Tishrei – the Hebrew month in which Rosh Hashanah falls and the first month of the Hebrew calendar.
Torah – Judaism’s sacred scroll and teachings.
Shabbat – Sabbath – the day of rest on the 7th day of the week.
Useful links
The Multi-Faith Chaplains
The University of Manchester Jewish Society JSoc
Chabad.org – Rosh Hashanah 2024 – What is Rosh Hashanah?
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