Rosh Hashanah Tips on Celebrating the High Holy Days

Rosh Hashanah is known as the Jewish New Year. As a matter of fact, we are in our 5770^th year. It arrives at sundown on September 18^th. Rosh Hashanah is a time for people of the Jewish people to repent for their sins and try to find ways to better their lives. So how exactly do we celebrate this wonderful holiday? This article gives tips on how to celebrate the coming of the Jewish New Year.

1. Read the Prayers

We start out the holiday by saying prayers. While I know certain Hebrew phrases, I am by no means an expert at saying prayers and I have a limited amount of ability in speaking in Hebrew. Still, I listen to my mother read the prayers from her Siddur (prayer book) in Hebrew every year and I follow along in English. You see, my mother went to Hebrew school for many years as a child and learned how to read the Hebrew alphabet.

There are prayers that are read for each day of Rosh Hashanah. On day one, we read Genesis XXI. This part of the book talks about the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah. It is said that Sarah gave birth to Isaac on Rosh Hashanah.

On day two, we read Genesis XXII. In this part of the book, we read about how Abraham almost sacrificed his son Isaac. In the end, a ram is sacrificed instead of Isaac. This event is symbolized by the sounding of the shofar (instrument made from a ram's horn). Before, during, and after each prayer, we say "Shana Tova V' Chatima Tova" to the people we are with. This Hebrew phrase means "good year and good seal in the Book of Life."

2. Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor

Rosh Hashanah is about enjoying the fruits of your labor and celebrating the coming of the New Year. You can do this by making some of the delicious cuisine that is made during Rosh Hashanah. Some of the best recipes include Jewish Apple Cake (one of my favorites), Brisket, Chopped Liver, Gefilte fish, and apples and honey. Have a whole bunch of family and friends over to celebrate the hope that comes with the New Year.

3. Go to the Synagogue

On Rosh Hashanah, all Jewish people are supposed to go to the synagogue and recite prayers. We are supposed to repent for our sins and seriously examine our lives. We are supposed to look for ways to better ourselves. We ask God to save us, be merciful and forgive us for any sins we may have committed. Unfortunately, I have never really had the chance to go to a synagogue during the Jewish holidays. The one time I did get to go to a synagogue was when a friend of mine had his bar mitzvah. Someday, I hope to be able to say the prayers in a Synagogue.

4. Take Off From Work

According to prayer, Jews are not supposed to do any service work during the two days of Rosh Hashanah. While I would love to be able to do this, it is not always possible. Sometimes we just have to fulfill life's demands. It does not look like I will be able to take off from work this year. However, I will definitely try to take off in the future.

Sources:

Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosh_Hashanah

Rabbi Ralph De Koven, "A Prayer Book With Explanatory Notes." KTAV Publishing House Inc.