ROSH HASHANAH 2015

Yesterday at sundown, the Jews started celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of their new year for 5776. It started on 13 September sundown and will end on 15 September, sundown. This year is especially significant because it is also their Jubilee year. The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the shofar, the ram’s horn, which also represents the trumpet blast of a people’s coronation of their king. The cry of the shofar is also a call to repentance, for Rosh Hashanah is also the anniversary of man's first sin and his repentance, and serves as the first of the “Ten Days of Repentance” which culminate in Yom Kippor, the Day of Atonement.

Additional Rosh Hashanah observances include eating a piece of apple dipped in honey to symbolize their desire for a sweet year, as well as many other special foods. All have special significance and symbolize sweetness, blessings, and abundance. They bless one another with the words Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." And as with every major Jewish holiday, women and girls light candles on each evening of Rosh Hashanah and recite the appropriate blessings. For the first time, our family celebrated Rosh Hashanah last night with the eating of apples dipped in honey and lighting of candles. Heng also prayed a special blessing for our family for the new year.

In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "Head of the Year," and as its name indicates, it is the beginning of the Jewish year. With the beginning of a new year, old things are gone and the new has come. The anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, it is the birthday of mankind, highlighting the special relationship between God and humanity. Jewish families are also preparing to enter the High Holy Days. They celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on September 14,Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, on September 23 and the Feast of Tabernacles, known as Sukkot, September 27- October 4. These Holy Days are festivals ordained by God (Leviticus 23:23-44) and are supposed to be a joyous time.