
This particular holiday brings to all a new beginning because
Rosh Hashanah (
Hebrew: ראש השנה, literally "head of the year,"
Biblical:
IPA:
[ˈɾoʃ haʃːɔˈnɔh], Israeli:
[ˈʁoʃ haʃaˈna],
Yiddish:
[ˈroʊʃ hɑˈʃɔnə]) is a
Jewish holiday commonly referred to as the "
Jewish New Year."
Rosh Hashanah is characterized by the blowing of the
shofar,
[10] a trumpet made from a ram's horn.
Rosh Hashanah meals often include
apples and
honey, to symbolize a sweet new year. Various other foods with a symbolic meaning may be served, depending on local
minhag (custom), such as tongue or other meat from the head of an animal (to symbolize the head of the year). Other symbolic foods are
dates,
black-eyed beans,
leek,
spinach and
gourd, all of which are mentioned in the
Talmud.
Pomegranates are used in many traditions: the use of apples and honey is a late medieval
Ashkenazi addition, though it is now almost universally accepted. Typically, round
challah bread is served, to symbolize the cycle of the year.
Gefilte fish and
Lekach are commonly served on this holiday.