Rosh Hashanah Traditions
This is the Hebrew term for the Jewish New Year, which marks the beginning of the High Holy Days.
What is Rosh Hashanah?
This sweet food is traditionally eaten to symbolize the wish for a sweet year ahead.
What is apple dipped in honey?
This fruit is often used to symbolize the desire for a year full of merits, with many seeds representing good deeds.
What is a pomegranate?
This instrument, made from an animal’s horn, is blown during Rosh Hashanah services.
What is a shofar?
This book of the Hebrew Bible talks about the creation of the world, which is commemorated on Rosh Hashanah.
What is Genesis?
On Rosh Hashanah, Jews engage in this practice to seek forgiveness from others.
What is asking for forgiveness or "Tashlich"?
This round-shaped bread, often enjoyed on Rosh Hashanah, symbolizes the cyclical nature of the year.
What is challah?
This animal’s horn is blown during Rosh Hashanah to announce the new year and to wake people from spiritual slumber.
What is a shofar?
The sound of the shofar is meant to inspire these two emotions in the listener during Rosh Hashanah.
What are repentance and awareness?
In this prayer recited on Rosh Hashanah, God is asked to inscribe the faithful for a good year.
What is the Unetanneh Tokef?
This prayer, said during Rosh Hashanah, is a central part of the service and calls for the judgment of the new year.
What is the Unetanneh Tokef?
Rosh Hashanah meals often feature this fish dish, symbolizing the hope to be “head of the year.”
What is a head of a fish?
This symbol of peace and hope is often seen on Rosh Hashanah cards and represents new beginnings.
What is a apple dipped in honey?
The sound of the shofar is meant to evoke the call of this ancient figure who was bound for sacrifice.
Who is Isaac?
This central theme of Rosh Hashanah emphasizes God's sovereignty over the world and the judgment of all people.
What is kingship or malchuyot?
This symbolic act is performed by casting bread crumbs into a body of water to symbolize casting away sins.
What is Tashlich?
This vegetable, symbolizing hope for a year of increased blessings, is often used as part of the Rosh Hashanah seder.
What is a pumpkin or gourd?
This sweet dish, often served as dessert on Rosh Hashanah, symbolizes the wish for a sweet and happy year ahead.
What is honey cake?
The shofar is blown in a sequence of three types of blasts. This type of blast is long and drawn out.
What is a teruah?
The concept of “Teshuvah” is mentioned in Rosh Hashanah prayers. This word means to return or repent, and it is derived from this root.
Answer: What is the Hebrew word for repentance, Teshuvah?
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, culminating in this holiday.
Answer: What is Yom Kippur?
This fruit, sometimes included in the Rosh Hashanah meal, is traditionally eaten to symbolize the wish for a fruitful year.
What is a pomegranate?
This is a traditional blessing given during Rosh Hashanah that wishes people a good and sweet year.
What is "L'shanah tovah"?
The shofar is blown 100 times during Rosh Hashanah, but on this special day, it is heard in synagogue to signal the beginning of the new year.
What is Rosh Hashanah?
This well-known Jewish scholar and philosopher wrote about Rosh Hashanah and repentance in his classic work The Guide for the Perplexed.
Who is Maimonides?