God King's Sealing
The New Year in Judaism marking the creation of Adam and Eve and the start of the Ten Days of Repentance.
The text exclusively details Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, also known as Yom Teruah. This holiday begins on the first day of Tishrei and marks the civil new year, contrasting with the ecclesiastical year that starts in Nisan. It as the traditional anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve and the initiation of humanity's role in God's world.
Quick Facts
- Subject
- Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
- Target
- Humanity (Adam and Eve's creation anniversary)
- Location
- Global Jewish communities
- Consequence
- Ten Days of Repentance culminating in Yom Kippur
Lore & Background
Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holy Days, occurring in late summer or early autumn. Biblical names for this holiday include Yom Teruah, meaning 'day of blasting,' as specified in Leviticus 23:23–25 and Numbers 29:1. While the term Rosh Hashanah appears once in Ezekiel 40:1 with a different meaning, it is not found in the Torah to describe the holiday itself. The Talmud characterizes this day as when God is crowned king anew each year, an act effectuated by shofar blasts symbolizing coronation horns. This period initiates the Ten Days of Repentance, culminating in Yom Kippur. On this day, three books of judgment are opened: one for the completely wicked, one for the wholly righteous who are immediately sealed 'for life,' and one for those in an intermediate state who have ten days to repent.
Reader's Guide
Practitioners observe Rosh Hashanah over two days starting on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the ecclesiastical year. The celebration begins the evening prior to the first day. Key customs include sounding the shofar as prescribed in the Torah for Yom Teruah and eating symbolic foods representing a sweet new year, an ancient custom recorded in the Talmud. Services center on three themes: crowning God as king, shofar blasts, and God remembering us in judgment. A specific ritual called 'Tashlich' (to cast) is performed between the first day of Rosh Hashanah and Hoshana Rabbah. Participants recite prayers by water, shaking out garments or throwing stones and bread to symbolically cast away sins into the depths.
Etymology and Biblical Terminology
The name Rosh Hashanah translates to 'head of the year,' derived from Hebrew words for head (rosh), the definite article (ha), and year (shana). Despite its current meaning, this term does not appear in the Torah. Leviticus 23:24 refers to it as zikhron teru'ah ('a memorial of blowing'), while Numbers 29:1 calls it yom teru'ah ('day of blowing'). The phrase appears once in Ezekiel 40:1, but there it likely refers generally to the beginning of a year or possibly Yom Kippur. In prayer books (siddurs and machzors), the holiday is also called Yom haZikkaron, meaning 'the day of remembrance,' distinguishing it from the modern Israeli remembrance day.
Theological Significance and Divine Coronation
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the civil year in Judaism, distinct from the spring month of Nisan which begins the ecclesiastical year. It is traditionally celebrated as the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, initiating humanity's role in God's world. The Sages in the Talmud characterize this day as the moment when God is crowned king anew, a symbolic act performed through shofar blasts that mimic coronation horns. This event initiates the Ten Days of Repentance, making it an opportune time for reflection and atonement before Yom Kippur.
Agricultural Roots and Ancient Origins
While Semitic speakers set their new year in autumn, other civilizations like Persians or Greeks chose spring. Scholars note similarities between Rosh Hashanah and the Babylonian Akitu festival, which was celebrated in Tashritu (the seventh month) and involved creation myths similar to the Jewish belief that the world was created on this day.
Ritual Customs and Symbolic Practices
Customs include sounding the shofar, eating symbolic foods for a sweet year, and attending synagogue services. The liturgy focuses on three themes: God's kingship, shofar blasts, and divine remembrance in judgment. The 'Tashlich' ritual involves reciting prayers by water between Rosh Hashanah and Hoshana Rabbah, where participants cast away sins symbolically using stones or bread.
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