About.com has posted a very convenioent "top ten" list about the Jewish Holiday Rosh Hashana.
- Jewish New Year. This is the symbolic anniversary of the creation of the world. The words Rosh Hashana mean "Head of the Year." Jewish tradition sees everyone as being created anew at this time every year.
- Day of Judgment. This is the day when God opens the Books of Life and Death. Jews ask to be forgiven foe their sins in the hope that God will give them a good signing in the Book of Life for the coming year.
- Pre-Rosh Hashana: Slichot and Hatarat Nedarim. In order to enter the new year with a clean slate, Jews ask forgiveness and annual all vows before Rosh Hashana.
- Prayers. Most of the day is spent in the synagogue. The main focus is that God is King and He rewards good.
- Mitzvah of the Shofar. The essential mitzvah of Rosh Hashana is to hear the sounding of the shofar, which is a ram's horn. The horn is blown like a trumpet.
6. Meaning of the Shofar. The sound of a King's coronation, the wailing of a Jewish heart, a spiritual wake-up call for the Jews to repent, and Abraham's great faith in God.
7. Festive Meal. A round challah, symbolizes completion, and is dipped int honey to symbolize hope for a sweet new year. Apples are also dipped in honey.
8. Shana Tova. This means Good Year, and "Chatima Tova" means Good Signing in the Book of Life.
9. Tashlich. Jews walk to flowing water, say a prayer, and symbolically throw their sins into the water. This is done the first afternoon of Rosh Hashana.
10. Ten Days of Repentance. God signs one in the Book of Life, but only on Yom Kippur does he "seal" one in the book. Therefore, during the ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur one's verdict is not certain.
So Happy New Year everyone!
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