The Rosh
Hashanah is the new Jewish year and the first and second day of Tishrei is
celebrated, which is called the first month of the Modern Hebrew calendar, and
the seventh month according to the Bible, according to this order the first
month Nisan, commemorating the departure of the Hebrews from Egypt.
We
know as Rosh Hashanah the new Jewish year 2021. This year will be celebrated with
the arrival of the first evening star from Friday, September 18 until Sunday, September 20, 2021. This time is presented to the Jews as a
time of meditation and reflection, taking stock of all the acts they have done
during the year, rectifying through the prayers of repentance.
The most crucial moment of this celebration occurs with the touch of the Shofar that represents the shout of the entire Jewish people to God, recognizing him as Eternal King and as Creator.
In 2021, the Jewish community celebrates the Hebrew year 5780.
Rosh Hashanah Origin
The
Rosh Hashanah is also known as Yom Hadin
that is, Judgment Day, and refers to the moment of creation of the world and of
Adam and Eve as the first man and first woman. Therefore, prayers are also held
for the life of the human being and the peace of the universe.
- The 1st of Tishrei is the first day of a new year and with it begins a time of 10 days that the Jews use to reflect and return to their more spiritual side.
- During these days God asks to get rid of everything that does not correspond in each one's life in order to rectify and live according to the divine law.
- This 10-day period ends with the Day of Forgiveness known as Yom Kippur or Yom Kippur.
Rosh Hashanah or Jewish New Year Celebration 2021
As we said above, the touch of the Shofar is the celebration center of Rosh Hashanah. The Shofar is a primitive instrument made from a ram's horn and refers to the ram that Abraham sacrificed, instead of sacrificing his son Issac, whom he intended to use for the sacrifice at first. This instrument is played during the Morning Prayer, and everything refers to repentance, this time represented in Abraham's repentance. Hence the sound emitted by the Shofar is similar to the sound of crying. For the Jews, this is the cry of God, who cries because man has moved away from his path.
- The sounds that are emitted with the Shofar with Tekiá, which corresponds to a fixed and long sound, then the Shevarim or Teruá, which means breakage, and then again the Tekiá. These are the sounds that are used because they are the same as they sounded when the Jewish people wanted to warn the desert camp that their journey was continuing.
- The first Tekiá represents the call in one place, the Teruá means "to dismantle," and the last Tekiá speaks of the new place that will be reached on a spiritual level.
During the Rosh Hashanah holiday, all kinds of apple and honey foods are taken that
represent the desire for a sweet year, as well as other specialty foods to
celebrate the New Year.
How
to wish the Jews a happy year? It is often said “Shaná Tová” and the meaning is similar to having a prosperous year.
The other person must respond with "Leshaná tová tikatev vetejatem"
which means "that you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."
As
in the rest of the Jewish holidays, after lighting the candles the Kiddush is
prayed and recited, and the food is blessed before taking the challah, which
is the braided bread so typical on these dates?
Dates & Times of the Rosh Hashanah 2021
Rosh Hashanah Festival 2021, which means "Head of the Year" in Hebrew, refers to the Jewish New Year. As per the Hebrew calendar, the new year begins on the day of Rosh Hashanah, a celebration that commemorates the anniversary of the creation of the world.
- The idea of counting from the creation of the world appeared belatedly in Judaism. It arises from the desire to detach from the Christian calendar that begins with Jesus.
- Rosh Hashanah festival lasts for two days, usually takes place between September and October (more broadly between late summer and early fall), begins at dusk of the vigil, and ends two days later.
- The next ten days are days of penance before the feast of Yom Kippur, the Great Forgiveness. It is a period dedicated to prayers to ask God for forgiveness.
Therefore, the Rosh Hashanah is considered the day of judgment and the Kippur as the day of forgiveness.
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Religious Celebration
The celebration of Rosh Hashanah represents an opportunity to take stock of last year, to proceed to an examination of conscience in the light of Jewish values.
Each one reflects on their goals in life and makes good resolutions relying on divine authority, which remains the sole judge of past actions.
- Rosh Hashana insists on the importance of Tefila, prayer, and its positive influence on the human soul, but also on charity and solidarity with others (Tsedaka).
- These two days begin with the morning prayer and the buzz of the shofar, the ram's horn from which a series of clear sounds are extracted. History tells us that God asked Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice. When the prophet was about to obey, an angel replaced his son with a ram.
- The Baal Tekya, the person responsible for this moment, considered one of the most solemn of the Jewish year, sounds the Shofar several times to remind the faithful of Abraham's sacrifice.
- Jews usually wear white to go to the synagogue. This tradition reflects the will of men to approach God by purifying themselves of their sins.
- In the afternoon, Tashlikh is practiced, a tradition that consists of going to the edge of a river or another water point to recite verses. This relatively recent custom (dating back to the 16th century) refers to the purification of water, which acquits absences, which makes them disappear at the bottom of the water.
Festive Tradition of Rosh Hashanah
Although the emphasis placed on human guilt and divine judgment gives Rosh Hashana a somewhat austere and solemn look, the party does not lose joy, and it is also the occasion to hold family gatherings with festive meals. Traditions differ from one community to another. Among the Ashkenazis or Jews from Eastern Europe, apple wedges are bathed in honey, wishing others a year as sweet as this sweetened fruit.Among the Sephardim, mainly from Spain and the Arab countries, the party is marked by a real banquet that lasts two days, the omnipresence of the apple dipped in honey.On this occasion of Rosh Hashanah 2021, greeting cards is sent wishing a "Happy New Year."