Iran (IMNA) – It is believed that Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman according to the Hebrew Bible. Each year, this celebration is held on the first day of Tisheri which is considered as the first month of the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanas always is a two-day celebration at some point between September and October according to the Gregorian calendar.
During the festival, it is a special costume to attend prayer services at synagogue. After that Jewish people walk beside rivers, lakes or streams and recite special prayers of penitence, then somebody throws breadcrumbs in the water to symbolize casting off their sins; it is called "Tashlich ceremony".
Another important tradition is that on both mornings, a "shofar" which is an ancient musical instrument fashioned from a ram's horn is blown by Jews during the prayer service. The shofar shows the presence of God, it is a symbol of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in order to show his obedience to God.
It is also a special time to share meals with your family and friends. Eating symbolic food is a common tradition of this festival; these meals include apples or challah bread with honey which symbolize a sweet new year which is coming. People also eat pomegranates to wish for blessings in the coming year as many as the seeds of this fruit. Some families also eat fish and believe that it is the symbol of fertility and abundance. They never eat bitter foods during this period of time in order to avoid having a bitter year.
When you want to hope a happy new year for Jewish people, you should say "Shana Tova" or "Shana Tova Umetukah" which means "have a good year" and "have a good and sweet year" respectively.
IMNA's Press Team wish all Jewish people around the world, especially Iranian Jews, a happy Rosh Hashanah.
Shanah tovah um’tukah
Your Comment