Rosh Hashanah For Beginners
1. Prepare Your Heart ❤️
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, but it’s also a time of spiritual reflection.
Before it begins (at sunset) on September 22, 2025 spend some quiet time thinking about the past year—your actions, words, and relationship with God and others. It ends on September 24, 2025 this year
It begins the Ten Days of Awe, leading to Yom Kippur, a season of repentance and renewal.
2. Candle Lighting at Sundown 🕯️
Just like Shabbat, the holiday begins with lighting candles at sundown.
A blessing is said to welcome the new year.
3. Attend Services (if possible) ⛪📖
Synagogues hold special Rosh Hashanah services.
The shofar (ram’s horn) is blown, calling people to return to God and start fresh.
4. Festive Meals 🍯🍎🥖🐟
Meals are central and full of symbolic foods:
Apples dipped in honey → for a sweet new year.
Round challah bread → symbol of eternity and God’s unending goodness.
Pomegranate → many seeds, reminding us of fruitful blessings and good deeds.
Fish (or head of a fish) → symbol of being the “head and not the tail” (Deut. 28:13).
Begin with blessings over wine and bread, then enjoy with family and friends.
5. Tashlich Ceremony (Optional but Beautiful) 🌊
On the afternoon of the first day, many walk to a river, lake, or stream.
Bread crumbs (or pebbles) are tossed into the water, symbolizing casting away sins (Micah 7:19).
6. Personal Reflection & Prayer 🙏
Take time to pray, journal, or read Scriptures.
Traditional readings include Genesis 21–22 and 1 Samuel 1–2. Psalms 27 is also recited daily during this season.
The Life Bible is a great online Bible website. You can choose any version that you are most comfortable with to read and study
✨ Key Thought for Beginners: You don’t have to do everything perfectly. Start with the basics—light candles, enjoy a festive meal with symbolic foods, listen to the shofar (in person or even online), and spend time reflecting and praying for a fresh start.
