Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Jewish New Year, is one of the most significant holidays in the Jewish calendar. It marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days, a period of reflection, repentance, and renewal that culminates with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, ten days later.
This year, Rosh Hashanah begins Friday evening, September 15th and goes until Sunday evening, September 17th.
According to Rabbi Daniel Cohen, senior Rabbi at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, Connecticut, Rosh Hashnah’s messages are universal and relevant to people regardless of faith. Did you know that the holiday celebrates the birth of humanity? It is a season of renewal for every human being and offers a portal for reflection for all of us.
It is also a time for prayers, hopes and dreams for the coming year. When we can envision our aspirations, they can become real. What are yours?
Rabbi Cohen is uniquely equipped to explore how the holiday can make all of our lives more meaningful and offers a number of aspects of Rosh Hashanah that everyone might find interesting:
New Year Celebration: Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish New Year, and learning about how it is celebrated can provide insight into how different cultures mark the passage of time and the start of a new year.
Symbolism: Many elements of Rosh Hashanah, such as the shofar (ram’s horn) and symbolic foods like apples and honey, have deep meanings. Understanding the symbolism behind these customs can be fascinating and provide insight into Jewish culture and history.
Community and Family Values: Rosh Hashanah is a time for families to come together, much like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Learning about the importance of family and community gatherings can be relatable to people of all backgrounds.
Cultural Cuisine: Exploring the traditional foods associated with Rosh Hashanah, such as honey cake and challah, can be a delicious way to learn about Jewish cuisine and culinary traditions.
Theology and Significance: Understanding the theological and historical significance of Rosh Hashanah as the Jewish New Year and a time of judgment and repentance can deepen one’s appreciation of the holiday.
Charitable Acts (Tzedakah): Reflecting on the tradition of giving to charity during Rosh Hashanah as a way of demonstrating kindness and generosity can inspire individuals to engage in acts of Tzedakah.
Connection to Yom Kippur: Understanding the relationship between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as the Ten Days of Repentance, and how the themes of both holidays are interconnected can help individuals prepare for the entire High Holy Days season.
Rosh Hashnah’s messages are universal and relevant to people regardless of faith. Reflection, renewal, gratitude, goal-setting, reconciliation, unity, hope, and repentance are values we can all relate to and embrace. They remind us of our shared humanity and the common desire for personal and collective improvement, making Rosh Hashanah’s messages relevant to people from diverse backgrounds.
Popular motivator, mentor, and inspirational speaker, Rabbi Daniel Cohen’s unique blend of authenticity, humor, wisdom, and insight helps anyone better navigate contemporary society and lead a life of legacy. Rabbi Cohen has served in the rabbinate for over twenty years and is the author of What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone? Creating a Life of Legacy, and his newest book, The Secret of the Light.
