Bonus Trivia for Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, the Day of Judgement, the Day of Remembrance, and the Day of Shofar Blowing.

As the Day of Judgement, Jews worldwide examine their past deeds and asks for forgiveness for their sins.

As the Day of Remembrance, Jews review the history of their people and pray for Israel.

As the Day of Shofar Blowing, the Shofar is blown in temple to herald the beginning of the 10 day period known as the High Holy Days.

And of course it is New Year's Day.

Rosh Hashanah is observed the first and second day of the seventh month of the Jewish calender, Tishri, which usually falls in September.

In Israel, Rosh Hashanah is the only holiday kept for 2 days as it is considered too important to be observed for only 24 hours. Both days are considered one long day of 48 hours.

The common greeting at this time is L'shanah tovah ("for a good year"). This is a shortening of "L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem" (or to women, "L'shanah tovah tikatevi v'taihatemi"), which means "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."

On Rosh Hashanah, it is customary for families to gather together for the holiday meal. Traditional foods sweetened with honey, apples and carrots are served, symbolizing sweetness, blessings, abundance and the hope for a sweet year ahead.

The first night's meal begins with apple dipped in honey. Challah, the bread usually eaten on the Sabbath (not braided as at regular meals but instead baked in a circle - a wish that the coming year will roll around smoothly without unhappiness or sorrow) is also dipped in honey before eating.