What is

ROSH HASHANA?

Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year.  It falls on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishri, and begins this year at sundown on Friday, Sept. 18.  Rosh Hashanah is a time of introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning changes to make in the new year. One of the most important observances of this holiday is the blowing of the shofar. Another popular observance during this holiday is eating apples and/or challah dipped in honey, a symbol of our wish for a sweet new year.  Another popular practice of the holiday is the observance of Tashlikh ("casting off"). We walk to flowing water (e.g., a creek or river) on the afternoon of the first day and toss small pieces of bread or bread crumbs into the river, symbolically casting off our sins.  The common greeting at Rosh Hashana is L'shanah tovah ("for a good year").  From all of us at Challah Connection and Kosher Gift Box, “L’Shanah tovah!”

OFFICIAL Rosh Hashanah Quiz!

1.        Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish:

(a)       New Year                               (c)        Sadie Hawkins Day

(b)       Halloween                              (d)        Arbor Day

2.        This year, we are celebrating the beginning of the Jewish year:

(a)  1776                             (c)        5770

(b)  1492                             (d)        2009

3.        In synagogue on Rosh Hashanah, a ______ is blown:

(a) trumpet                          (c)        stack

(b) shofar                                        (d)        tuba

4.        Which of the below is NOT one of the notes blown by the correct answer to number 3?

(a)           Tekiah                                 (c)        Teruah

(b)           Shevarim                            (d)        E-flat

5.        On Rosh Hashanah, we eat (circle all that apply):

(a)          apples & honey                   (c)        beer & honey

(b)          pizza & honey                     (d)        challah & honey

6.        Tashlikh is the symbolic casting off of:

(a)           one’s clothes                      (c)        one’s mid-term exam schedule

(b)           one’s sins                           (d)        one’s roommate

7.        “L’Shana Tova” is generally translated as:

(a)           “For a good year.”

(b)           “Call your mother; she worries.”

(c)           “Don’t eat that!  It fell on the floor!”

(d)           “Oy!  What a mensch he is!”

8.        Rosh Hashanah falls in the Hebrew month of:

(a)           Shalom                               (c)        Nissan

(b)           Tishri                                  (d)        Etrog                                    copyright 2009, Challah Connection