Laws & Customs
How do you say "happy new year” in Hebrew?
"Shanah Tova"
What is different about the challah and why is it different?
It’s round - to symbolize the cyclical nature of the year and the circle of life
What does Rosh Hashanah translate to?
the head of the year
What is the Shofar traditionally made out of?
a ram's horn
In what month (on the Jewish Calendar) does Rosh Hashanah fall on?
Tishrei
Name one phrase that we say to people on Rosh Hashanah
Hint: Our wish for them
“L'Shanah Tovah Tikateivu”- “for a good year, may you be written” or
“Shanah Tovah Oo'Metukah”- “may you have a good and sweet year” or
"G’mar hatimah tova" - “a good inscription”
What food symbolizes the head of the new year?
The head of a fish
What is one other name for Rosh Hashanah?
Yom HaZikaron or Yom Teruah or Yom Harat Olam or Yom HaDin
What animal can a Shofar NOT be made out of and why?
a cow- because of the sin of the golden calf
Rosh Hashanah celebrates the anniversary of this
Creation
When are we NOT allowed to blow the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah?
Shabbat
What are the Hebrew words for apples and honey?
tapuchim u’dvash
What is the name of the ritual involving throwing bread into a body of water?
Tashlich
What are three blasts from the shofar?
Tekiah- One long blast
Shevarim- Three short blasts
Teruah- Nine quick notes
What ten days does Rosh Hashanah begin?
Yamin Noraim or Days of Awe or Days of Repentance
How many days do we celebrate Rosh HaShanah in Israel and how many days do we celebrate it in the Diaspora?
2 in both, except for some reform congregation who celebrate it for one day only
Why do we eat pomegranates on Rosh HaShanah?
613 mitzvot is said to correspond to the number of seeds in a pomegranate
What does the word Teshuva mean?
Repentance
How many times does a Shofar sound on Rosh Hashanah?
100
What Hebrew year does this Rosh Hashanah begin?
5780
What color do we cover the Torah in on Rosh Hashanah?
White
What type of fruit is customary to eat on Rosh Hashanah (Hint: not a specific fruit)?
a new fruit that you haven’t tried before
What is the name of the special prayer book we use on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?
Machzor
What is the final blast of the shofar called?
Tekiah Gedolah
What is the fast day that occurs the day after Rosh Hashanah?
Tzom Gedaliah