The Basics
What does "Rosh Hashanah" mean literally?
Head of the year.
What fruit do we dip in honey on Rosh Hashanah? Bonus: what is the Hebrew name for this fruit?
Apples. Bonus: tah-pu-ach, tah-pu-chim, תַפּוּחַ, תפוחים.
What is Rosh Hashanah considered the "birthday" for?
The world or universe.
What's the prayer we say over challah?
Ha-motzi, Baruch atah Adonai, eloheinu melech ha-olam, ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ
How many days do we celebrate Rosh Hashanah?
Most Orthodox and Conservative Jews celebrate for two days. Reform congregations typically do just one.
Yom Teruah (day of shofar-blowing), Yom HaZikaron (day of remembrance), and Yom HaDin (day of judgment).
What is special about the challah we eat on Rosh Hashanah?
It's typically round, to represent the circular nature of the year or "goodness without end."
What is a shofar made of?
Usually a ram's horn, but it can be made of the horn of any kosher animal (except for a cow).
Do we say kiddush (the prayer over wine) at home on Rosh Hashanah eve?
Yes, we do! Almost every Jewish holiday involves drinking/blessing wine at some sort of festive meal.
Do we light candles on Rosh Hashanah?
Yes, we do. Just like on Shabbat.
What is the name of the Hebrew month that Rosh Hashanah begins?
Tishrei, תִּשְׁרֵ.
What is another fruit that's a symbol for Rosh Hashanah?
A pomegranate (rimon/רִמוֹן), it symbolizes our wish to have a year as full of goodness and mitzvot as a pomegranate is filled with seeds
What are we supposed to think about on Rosh Hashanah?
What we've done over the past year, how we've been as people, and what we can do to be better.
What is the name of the prayer we say when we do something for the first time in a given year?
"Shechehiyanu," שהחיינו. "Praised our You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, for granting us life, sustaining us, and for helping us to reach this day."
What phrase(s) do you use to wish someone a happy Rosh Hashanah?
Shana tovah, shana tovah u'metukah, chag sameach. שָׁנָה טוֹבָה, שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה, חַג שָׂמֵחַ.
What is the name of the ceremony that typically occurs after services on the first day of Rosh Hashanah where we "cast off" our bad deeds into water using bread crumbs (or something similar)?
Tashlich, תשליך.
How do you say "honey" in Hebrew?
D'vash, דְבַשׁ
How many shofar blasts do you hear during the High Holy days?
100.
What are the names of the three/four notes for the shofar?
Tekiyah, shevarim, teruah/ tekiyah g'dolah, תקיעה, שברים, תרועה,
In order to do Tashlich, must you go to a body of water containing fish?
The rabbis prefer that the body of water contain fish, but it doesn't have to. It could even be a puddle. Tashlich is a newer tradition (13th century) and doesn't come from the Torah.
What is the name of the special prayer book we use on the High Holy Days?
Machzor, מַחְזוֹר.
It's traditional to have fish- in particular, the head of a fish- on Rosh Hashanah. Why?
Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year," and so the fish head is both symbol of that and a bit of a joke. When served, it’s customary to recite a blessing: “May we be heads, not tails.” Based on a verse in Deuteronomy, it’s a reminder to be like heads—leaders and changemakers. Also, in the ancient world—and especially in the Talmud, fish, which are famously fruitful, symbolized fertility, blessing, and abundance. In fact, many talmudic verses mention fish as an essential ingredient for holiday meals.
What is the name of the last month of the Hebrew calendar, the month that precedes Rosh Hashanah?
Elul, אֱלוּל. We are required to blow the shofar every day during the month of Elul.
What's the prayer we say over the fruit we eat with the honey?
Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam borei p'ri ha-etz. (Fruit of the tree.) בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְ‑יָ אֱ‑לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ
What color do the Torahs "wear" on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?
White, to symbolize rebirth and purity.