Rosh Hashanah: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Rosh Hashanah (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Rosh Hashanah is observed on September 15th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Rosh Hashanah, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you ought to know about Rosh Hashanah.

📅 What day is Rosh Hashanah 2024?

In 2024, Rosh Hashanah is on Friday, September 15th. It is the 3rd Friday in September; in 2024, it is Sunday. There are until the next observance. You also can see all the exciting details and facts about September 15, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Jewish New Year, starts on the first day of Tishrei, which is the first month in the Jewish calendar. This year, it will be celebrated from September 15 to September 17 on the Gregorian calendar. In 2021, Rosh Hashanah kicks off the Jewish year 5782 and is a two-day event.

📜 Rosh Hashanah History

The Jewish calendar marks the start of a new year with Rosh Hashanah, which falls on the first day of the month of Tishrei. However, for religious reasons, the actual beginning of the year is considered to be on the first day of the month of Nisan. This difference is based on the belief that God created the world at an earlier time. Therefore, Rosh Hashanah not only symbolizes the start of a new year, but also represents the birthday of creation.

According to the Mishnah, there are three more significant dates that are considered “new years” in the Jewish calendar: Nisan 1, Elul 1, and Shevat 15. Each of these dates holds its own significance and is celebrated for different reasons.

During the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, known as the “10 Days of Awe,” it is believed that God judges all things. It is during this period that it is determined whether someone will survive or die in the upcoming year. On Rosh Hashanah, the names of the righteous are inscribed in the “Book of Life,” while the wicked are sentenced to death. People have until Yom Kippur to repent and engage in “teshuvah,” which can tip the scales in their favor. For this reason, devout Jews view Rosh Hashanah and the days leading up to it as a time for fervent prayer, performing good deeds, reflecting on past wrongdoings, and seeking reconciliation with others.

✅ Rosh Hashanah Facts

🔖 Rosh Hashanah liturgy has inspired at least two songs
Both Mogwai’s lengthy track “My Father, My King” and Leonard Cohen’s “Who By Fire” draw inspiration from religious ceremonies.

🔖 There is an annual pilgrimage

🔖 Enjoying exotic fruits
It is a tradition to eat a fruit on the second evening of Rosh Hashanah that you have not tasted in a while.

👍 Why Is Rosh Hashanah Important

Rosh Hashanah, the first of the Jewish High Holy Days, is seen as a chance to reset and set the tone for the next year. People are reminded during this time to reflect on their previous years’ experiences, practice penitence, settle any debts they may have accumulated, and ask for forgiveness.

It is customary to blow a shofar (a ram’s horn) like a trumpet during Rosh Hashanah. This gesture occurs in synagogue, where the majority of Rosh Hashanah is spent, and reminds people of the blessed event in which God permitted Abraham to sacrifice a ram instead of his son Isaac.

Rosh Hashanah is a time for people to start thinking about themselves, apologize for past wrongdoings, practice righteousness, and set new objectives.

🙂 How To Observe Rosh Hashanah

⚡ Greet others in Hebrew

⚡ Attend synagogue services
Rosh Hashanah, a significant religious holiday, can be commemorated in several ways. People can choose to attend a synagogue, engage in prayer, and participate in a symbolic ritual called Tashlikh. During Tashlikh, individuals cast bread into a body of water as a symbolic gesture of discarding their sins.

⚡ Eat (the traditional way)
Just like you would wish someone a “happy birthday” or “happy holidays,” you may show respect to people celebrating Rosh Hashanah by wishing them “may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year” in Hebrew. To be specific, you would say to a male, “Leshanah tovah tikatev vetichatem,” and to a woman, “Leshanah tovah tikatevee vetichatemee.”

📅 When is Rosh Hashanah?

See all 🔗 September holidays, including 🔗 Religious and other 🔗 Jewish holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and cool facts about Rosh Hashanah. So be sure to check back soon.