Rosh Hashanah is a Hebrew word which translates into ‘Head of the Year’. It is the Jewish New Year which is celebrated on the first 2 days of the month of ‘Tishrei’. Rosh Hashanah occurs 10 days before the feast of ‘Yom Kippur’ and is the first of the ‘High Holy Days’. According to the Jewish religion it is believed that God created the world in the month of ‘Tishrei’ and therefore Rosh Hashanah is celebrated as the Birth of the World.
People greet one another on Rosh Hashanah by saying ‘L’shanah Tovah’ which means ‘Have a good year’, ‘L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu’ meaning ‘May you be inscribed in the book of life for a good year’ and ‘Gemar Chatimah Tovah’ which means ‘May your final sealing in the book of life be good’.
This year Rosh Hashanah celebrations begin on the 4th of September. According to Judaism, during the ‘High Holy days’ God decides who is to live or die in the coming year, as a result Jews begin to examine their lives and repent for any sins they have committed in the past. Jews believe that on Rosh Hashanah the names are written in the Holy book and 10 days later on ‘Yom Kippur’ the book is sealed.
Rosh Hashanah is a Holiday full of Hope, compassion and forgiveness, and each one of us must strive to be a better person and to strengthen the bonds of our society. We can begin by greeting one another ‘Shalom Aleichem’ and by spreading Love and Happiness.
Holidays of the World 