Or "For a good year!" -

Sundown on September 12 marks the beginning of the Jewish year 5768. On that evening, Jews will begin celebrating one of their most important religious holidays. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah literally means the "head of the year" or the "first of the year". Orthodox and Conservative Jews celebrate the holiday for two days and Reform Jews for one day.

While it does have a festive side, Rosh Hashanah is not one big party as the New Year's celebrations on December 31 tend to be. Instead Rosh Hashanah is a time for personal introspection and prayer. There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one. Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making "resolutions". Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year.

The traditions of Rosh Hashanah are simple as the only commandment specified for the holiday is the blowing of the shofar. In temple the shofar is blown on Rosh Hashanah to herald the beginning of this period known as the High Holy Days. The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the temple. A total of 100 notes are sounded each day.

No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah other than cooking, baking, transferring fire and carrying. Much of the day is spent in synagogue (temple) where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. A popular tradition during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey to denote a sweet new year, and eating round challah bread to symbolize the circle of life and the hope that our lives endure without end. Another popular practice of the holiday is Tashlikh ("casting off"). People walk to flowing water, such as a creek or river, on the afternoon of the first day and empty their pockets into the water, symbolically casting off their sins.

Some items in our library with information about Rosh Hashonah are:
Holiday decorating for dummies by Kelley Taylor,

Great world religions [videorecording]: Judaism by Isaiah M. Gafni (videodiscs),

Great world religions [videorecording]: Judaism by Isaiah M. Gafni (videocassettes),

The tapestry of Jewish time: a spiritual guide to holidays and life-cycle events by Nina Beth Cardin.

Or you may wish to check out some websites as:
The Meaning of Rosh HaShanah,

Three Prayers of Rosh HaShanah

High Holy Days on the Net - The Jewish Holiday of Rosh Hashanah.

L’Shana Tova to all!