High Holy Days 101

L'Shanah Tovah!!

Tonight is Erev Rosh Hashanah ("Rosh Hashanah eve") As a Jewish woman, I am very traditional. Although I do not usually attend temple (Jewish House of worship), I try to attend for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (is known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jews.) Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most holy of days. They are commonly called High Holy Days. 

 Every year on Rosh Hashanah we eat the traditional foods and wish each other a sweet new year. Rosh Hashanah meals usually include apples and honey, to symbolize a sweet new year. We recite a prayer for a good and sweet year.. Other foods with a symbolic meaning may be served. We serve apple and honey cakes, dip apples into honey and we eat a round challah symbolizing the continuity of Creation. Sometimes raisins or honey are added to the recipe in order to make the resulting loaves extra sweet. Every year on Rosh Hashanah we eat the traditional foods and wish each other a sweet new year

 On the first night of Rosh Hashanah after the evening prayer, it is the Ashkenazi and custom to wish Le'shana Tova Tikoteiv Vetichoteim, which is Hebrew for "May you (immediately) be inscribed and sealed for a Good Year (and for a Good and Peaceful Life)". 

Shana Tova (pronounced [ʃaˈna toˈva]) is the traditional greeting on Rosh Hashanah which in Hebrew means "A Good Year." 

Shofar

This is my favorite High Holy Holiday song!

Avinu Malkeniu:
Hear our prayer

We have sinned before Thee
Have compassion upon us and upon our children
Help us bring an end to pestilence, war, and famine
Cause all hate and oppression to vanish from the earth
Inscribe us for blessing in the Book Of Life
Let the new year be a good year for us


To learn more about Rosh Hashanah, please follow the links below:

Treats for the Jewish new Year: SFGate

Rosh hashanah: Judaism 101

Yom Kippur: Judaism 101

Jewish NewYear food customs : Judaism about.com