Happy Shana Tovah! What is Rosh Hashanah and When Does It Start in 2024?
Happy Shana Tovah! What is Rosh Hashanah and When Does It Start in 2024?
Rosh Hashanah, meaning “Head of the Year” in Hebrew, is the Jewish New Year, one of the most significant holidays in the Jewish calendar. It marks the start of the Hebrew year 5785 in 2024 and begins at sunset on October 2nd and ends at nightfall on October 4th.
Rosh Hashanah is a time for spiritual reflection, repentance, and renewal, ushering in the Ten Days of Repentance, which conclude with Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). These days are dedicated to self-examination, seeking forgiveness, and making resolutions for personal growth in the coming year.
Key Traditions of Rosh Hashanah:
- Blowing of the Shofar: A ram’s horn is blown to symbolize a call to repentance and a reminder of spiritual responsibilities.
- Symbolic Foods: Jews enjoy apples dipped in honey, pomegranates, and round challah to represent hopes for a sweet, fruitful, and complete year.
- Tashlich: This ritual involves casting crumbs into a flowing body of water to symbolize the casting away of sins.
Shana Tova U’Metuka — Wishing you a sweet, happy, and prosperous New Year in 2024!
