Jewish New Year "Rosh Hashanah 2023"

Rabbi Meir Moscowitz with Lubavitch Chabad demonstrated the shofar, an ancient musical instrument made from a ram's horn.

It is blown in synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur 10 days from Friday. It is one of the central symbols of the Jewish holiday, which happens to begin on the Jewish Sabbath this year.

"The shofar is our calling out to God and saying, 'God, this is a new year. We want to connect with you. We want that relationship,'" Moscowitz said.

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and it begins a month of important Jewish Holy days. Many Jewish people observe it at their synagogues starting Friday evening and, by eating sweets. It is symbolic of the beginning of what they pray will be a sweet year. Many in the congregation gathered during the week to assemble these packages for distribution Friday.

Rosh Hashanah often involves a ritual called tashlich, where you throw bread onto running water to symbolically cast off sins from the past year. 

Rosh Hashanah is believed to mark the date of the creation of the world and it also begins the "Days of Awe" or "Ten Days of Repentance," a 10-day period which culminates with Yom Kippur. 

Yom Kippur is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar and also one of the most somber commemorations of the year. Jewish adults observing Yom Kippur typically will fast for around 25 hours (starting at sundown the night before). However, Jewish teaching explains that anyone whose health may be at risk by fasting is exempt and should still eat and drink water on Yom Kippur.   

A hollowed-out ram’s horn, called a shofar, is blown during services to awake any spiritual slumber and remind worshipers to return to God and reflect on their sins.

Another important part of Rosh Hashanah is Tzedakah, or giving back to those in need. The belief is that by carrying out good deeds, God will notice these efforts and bless them with a fruitful new year.

Some Jewish families toss bread crumbs into bodies of water to symbolize the discarding of their sins, a tradition that dates back centuries.

Rosh Hashanah is a time to come together and wish one another a good and sweet New Year. Whether you choose to use traditional Hebrew greetings or opt for English, the sentiment behind your words is what truly matters.

Your warm wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity will be greatly appreciated as Jewish communities around the world celebrate this significant holiday.

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 Sarah H

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