This year, Roch Hachana’s feast begins on the evening of September 22. Here are the traditions of this religious holiday for a “sweet and honey” year.
There Roch Hachana festivalwhich literally means “head of the year”, celebrates the Jewish New Year And the start of the new year in the Hebrew calendar. This religious holiday commemorates the creation of the world and the day of judgment. During this day, many traditions and customs are to be respected by practitioners.
What are the dates of Roch Hachana in 2025?
In 2025, Roch Hachana’s feast began the Monday September 22 in the evening and ends on Wednesday September 24 at nightfall. The party schedules depend on sunset time, and differ depending on the cities.
Why are we celebrating the year 5786?
Roch Hachana’s feast corresponds to The year 5786 of the Hebrew calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Hebrew calendar is lun-solar. Roch Hachana thus corresponds to the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.
What is the meaning of Roch Hachana?
Roch Hachana literally means the “head of the year”. The Jewish New Year refers to the creation of Adam and Eve. Mentioned in the Bible under the name of “Sonor day”, Roch Hachana is a moment of introspection since it is, for practitioners, to carry out an assessment of the year and to take good resolutions for the following year.
Roch Hachana, the Jewish New Year, marks a highlight of the year. It is also called the “day of judgment”, because according to tradition, it is on this date that God assesses the actions of each and decides from the coming year. At the synagogue, the offices occupy a central place. We read the Torah and one of the most striking moments is the ringtone of the Shofar, a horn of ram. This powerful sound, repeated many times, invites everyone to think, repent and get closer to the essentials. Another very followed rite is the Tashlikh. The afternoon of Roch Hachana, the faithful go near a river. They throw pieces of bread or sometimes pebbles. This simple gesture represents the fact of getting rid of its sins of the past year to start again. Finally, the first two evenings of Roch Hachana, families meet around a festive meal, and dip an apple in honey as a sign of sweetness for the coming year.
What to put at the table, on Roch Hachana’s tray?
On the occasion of the festival of Roch Hachana, several prayers are recited on different foods arranged in a Seder tray ::
- Squash or leek
- Spinach or chard
- A fish head
- Sesame
- Dates, figs (for the “new” fruit)
- Granada, with many seeds, symbolizes abundance
- Apple dipped in honey for a soft year
- Jujube (also called Chinese date)
What meal during Roch Hachana’s party?
Sweet and sweet dishes are privileged during the celebration of Roch Hachana. Apples soaked in honey, dates, figs, squash and grenades garnish the tables. Depending on the customs, families cook a couscous, lamb and potatoes, or Tafina, a specialty based on simmered meat, prunes, wheat, potatoes and eggs …
It is through the use of expression “Shana Tova Oumetouka“, In other words” good and sweet year “that Jews wish each other a happy new year. This is not the only expression you can hear. Before Roch Hachana, the Jews use for example the formula “”Ketiva Va’hatima Tova“, Or “Gmar Hatima Tova “meaning “A good inscription and a good seal in the book of life “. As with all Jewish festivals, you can also simply wish a Happy birthday “Hag Saméah”. The expression Shana Tova is also used Throughout the duration of Roch Hachana And until Yom Kippour, to wish his loved ones a happy new year.
