rosh hashanah

• celebrated in autumn on two days between 5th sep and 5th oct
• high holidays= head of the year
• commemorates the creation of the world and is marled by two rituals
• SOWA:

  "you shall observe a sacred occasion" (deut 29:1)
• shofar- ram's horn and is the most recognisable symbol
• during special service in synagogue shofar blown 100 times:

  • tekiah - one long note like alarm
  • shevarim - three medium blasts
  • teruah - eight quick staccato notes followed by one slight longer blast
• usually one person is given the honour of blowing the shofar during rhe services
• teshuvah: since its a new year festival it is a time of looking back at the past in repentance and looking forward with resolve to do better
• actually lasts 40 days from a month before rosh hashanah
• festival to call people to repentance because g-d will judge them
• g-d opening three books on rh:

  • book of death
  • book of life
  • book for people who are sometimes wicked and sometime righteous

  intended to motivate jews to lead better lives in the new year
• tashlich - empty fluff from pockets to symbolise casting off sins and letting go of previous year
• symbolic foods:

  jews will eat sweet foods such as apples dipped in honey
• kapparot:

  ten days between rosh hashanah and the festival of yom kippur these days known as the days of awe
• day before yom kippur jews swing live chicken over their head three times
• jews don't actually believe it does atone for their sins it is purely a symbolic act