Guest Post from Shannon Gonyou, Author of Since Sinai: Rosh Hashanah

 


This week, Jews around the world gathered to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, and are now turning to preparations for the rest of the fall holidays: Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, and Shemini Atzeret.  To say that the fall is busy for Jews would be an understatement, particularly for Jews who are adjusting to a new school year (or helping kids do the same). 


Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Instead of celebrating with fireworks and champagne toasts, Jews bring in the New Year with round loaves of challah, apples dipped in honey, and the sharp cry of the shofar (a ram’s horn that is blown in the month leading up to the holiday to “wake us up” to the new year and day of judgment ahead).  Although the mood of the “high holidays” Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are supposed to be serious and reflective, since we are focused on evaluating a year’s worth of behavior and our destiny for the year ahead, Rosh Hashanah tends to be a more light-hearted event for family and delicious food.  Yom Kippur, in contrast, involves a full-day fast from all food, liquid, and even sex and other pleasures.  

Round foods like apples and pomegranates symbolize the ever-repeating cycle of the calendar year, while honey forecasts a sweet new year. If you want an extra sweet new year, you can feast on honey cake with chocolate chips or decadent apple tortes. 

On a more mystical level, Rosh Hashanah symbolizes the souls of all Jews being called home— toward the light of community, reflection, and repentance. It is one of the most important days on the Jewish calendar, and a day where many synagogues are uncharacteristically packed. 

Shana tova and a blessed 5783 to all who are celebrating! 

For more posts by and about Shannon and her book, click HERE.

For more posts on Jewish topics, click HERE.


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Mea culpa from Blog Editor - we unintentionally missed the actual date for Rosh Hashanah. We promise to do better next new year!

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