Judaism: Rosh Hashanah | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Introduction

Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish New Year, a two-day festival celebrating the creation of the world. The term "Rosh," meaning "head," signifies the direction the new year will take. According to Jewish teachings, this period is when God evaluates humanity, reviewing individuals’ good and bad deeds from the past year to determine their fate for the coming year. The festival emphasizes judgment and encourages repentance for past wrongdoings, prompting Jews to reflect on how they can improve their lives.

During Rosh Hashanah, Jews contemplate significant questions about their actions and purpose, such as:

• What holds the most meaning in my life?
• Who are the most important people in my life, and how often do I express this to them?
• What are my most notable accomplishments from the past year?
• What are my goals for the upcoming year and my life overall?

Rosh Hashanah is closely followed by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which occurs ten days later. Jewish belief holds that on Rosh Hashanah, God judges individuals and records their fates in a book, which is finalized on Yom Kippur. Jews pray to be inscribed in the Book of Life, alongside their loved ones, during this time.

How to Celebrate Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, observed in September or October based on the Jewish lunar calendar, is a time for reflection on the past year’s deeds, both positive and negative. The festival initiates the Ten Days of Repentance, also called the Days of Awe, culminating in the significant fast day of Yom Kippur.

Preparations and Traditions

One week prior to Rosh Hashanah, Jews incorporate special prayers known as Selichot into their rituals. On the eve of the festival, synagogue services are held, and traditional practices are observed, including:

• Blowing the shofar, a horn, during the morning service 100 times as a symbolic call to repentance.
• Consuming special foods, such as apples dipped in honey and a round challah loaf, representing the hope for a sweet new year and the cyclical nature of time.
• Exchanging greetings like, “May you be inscribed for a good year.”

The Tashlich Ceremony

A key ritual during Rosh Hashanah is the Tashlich ceremony, where Jews symbolically cast away their sins. This is often performed by praying near a flowing stream and tossing bread crumbs into the water, representing the desire to be rid of past wrongdoings and seek God’s forgiveness.

God’s Judgment and the Three Books

Jewish tradition teaches that during Rosh Hashanah, God assigns each person’s name to one of three books based on their deeds:

• The Book of Life, for those who are entirely righteous.
• The Book of Death, for those who are wholly wicked.
• An intermediate book, where most individuals’ names are recorded.

Jews believe their actions during the festival can influence which book their name is written in. To seek forgiveness and improve their standing, they engage in acts of charity or other efforts to atone for harm caused over the past year.

The Ten Days of Repentance

• In the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Jews reflect deeply on their past actions. 
• Jewish teachings emphasize that to receive God’s forgiveness, one must first seek forgiveness from those they have wronged.
• This period is a time for introspection and making amends.

Symbolic Foods and Their Significance

• Eating apples dipped in honey is a cherished tradition, symbolizing the hope for a sweet and prosperous new year. 
• Historically, apples were believed to have healing properties, a notion referenced in the Hebrew Bible.

Importance of Synagogue Attendance

• Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are considered the most significant festivals in the Jewish calendar, and much time is spent in synagogue during these observances. 
• These sacred days provide opportunities for communal prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal.