Celebrating the Jewish New Year
Shanah Tovah!
As we look forward to celebrating our Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, let’s reflect on the past year and look forward to new beginnings that lie ahead. This is a time for renewal, introspection, and hope. We pray that the coming year brings peace, health, and happiness to ourselves and our loved ones. Let us embrace the opportunities for growth and positive change and may our temple community continue to thrive and support one another.
What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew. It marks the beginning of the High Holy Days, a ten-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah is a time for self-reflection, prayer, and the sounding of the shofar, which serves as a call to repentance and a reminder to us of the importance of spiritual renewal.
The shofar, ram’s horn, holds deep significance in our Jewish tradition, especially during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The ritual of blowing the shofar is rich in symbolism and meaning.
On Rosh Hashanah, the shofar is blown to mark the beginning of the Jewish New Year. It serves as a spiritual wake-up call, urging individuals to reflect on their actions, seek forgiveness, and commit to personal growth in the coming year. The sound of the shofar is meant to stir the soul and inspire a sense of awe and reverence.
The shofar is also blown during Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The final blast of the shofar at the end of Yom Kippur signifies the conclusion of the fast and the sealing of the Book of Life, symbolizing a new beginning and the hope for a year filled with blessings.
The shofar’s calls consist of four distinct sounds: Tekiah (a long, unbroken blast), Shevarim (three short, broken blasts), Teruah (nine staccato blasts), and Tekiah Gedolah (a very long blast). Each sound has its own unique significance and is intended to evoke different emotions and reflections.
Overall, the shofar ritual is a powerful reminder of the importance of repentance, renewal, and the continuous journey towards spiritual growth and uplift.
Let me quote from Jewish tradition to hopefully inspire us during this special time:
“L’shanah tovah tikatevu v’techatemu” (לְשָׁנָה טוֹבָה תִּכָּתֵבוּ וְתֵחָתֵמוּ) – “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”
Additionally, let us find comfort and blessing in the words of the Torah:
“May God bless you and keep you; may God make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may God turn His face toward you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26
Shanah Tovah
Rabbi Howard S. Herman DD