History, progress… what is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year?

Meaning, origin, dates… What do we know about Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah, which means “beginning of the year” in Hebrew, celebrates the creation of the world and the birth of humanity. This festival, which lasts 48 hours (from Wednesday October 2 until nightfall to Friday October 4, 2024), marks the beginning of ten days of penance (Teshuvah), during which the faithful rereads the faults committed during the last year. This is why Rosh Hashanah is also called the day of judgment (Yom Hadin).

Wednesday, October 2 on the evening of Rosh Hashanah (or Rosh Hashanah)

The day before, some fast in order to prepare themselves spiritually, or go to the cemetery to pray.

Start of the 1st day of Rosh Hashanah (Thursday October 3, 2024)

At the synagogue, Rosh Hashanah liturgies are marked by the ringing of the shofar, a wind musical instrument carved from a ram’s horn. 100 bells ring out to invite the faithful to repentance and introspection.

During one of the afternoons, the faithful go to the edge of a source, a stream, a river, a lake or the sea, to symbolically throw their sins there. . This is the Tashlikh prayer.

Rosh Hashanah is punctuated by large meals, notably composed of apples dipped in honey, pomegranates, dates, chard, squash… which symbolize the sweetness of the year to come. In the evening, women and girls light candles while reciting blessings.

End of the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah (Friday October 4, 2024)

This is the continuation of the days of penance (Teshuvah). This period ends ten days later with Yom Kippur (day of forgiveness), the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar.