What Is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah, on Sunday night, Sept. 16, 2012, will begin one of their most important religious holidays for our Jewish brothers and sisters.

It remembers the creation of the world. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means the “head of the year.” It is also called the Feast of the Trumpets. The blowing of a ram’s horn, a shofar, proclaims Rosh Hashanah, and summons Jews to religious services.

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Jews used the ram’s horn as a trumpet in Biblical times to announce the new moon, holidays, and war. Today, a variety of horns are used, including curved antelope horn

While it does have its festive side, Rosh Hashanah is not one big party, as the New Year’s celebrations on Dec. 31 tend to be. Rosh Hashanah is a time for personal introspection and prayer.