
Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year" in Hebrew. It is a time for reflection and repentance and is referred to as the "day of judgment" or the "day of repentance." One of the most significant rituals of the holiday is the blowing of the shofar, or ram's horn. It is used as a call to repentance during the High Holy Days.

A popular ritual is to walk to a river or body of water and recite special prayers of penitence. Afterward, one throws breadcrumbs in the water to symbolically cast away sins.

Getting a hair cut and the wearing of new clothes is customary during Rosh Hashanah.

Apples dipped in honey are often eaten during the holiday, symbolizing the hope for a good year to come.

Round loaves of challah bread are also often dipped in honey during the celebrations.

Pomegranates are eaten because the seeds are symbolic of the many commandments in the Torah that Jews must fulfill.


