Rosh Hashanah. You’ve heard the words a million times, but what does it really mean? Literally, Rosh Hashanah translates to “Head of the Year,” and is a time for prayer, reflection, celebration and repentance. This mix of the sweet and the bitter float into many Jewish customs. After all, we sing hava negilah, a song that means “let us celebrate,” in a minor key. So it makes sense to start our new year with a mix of happy wishes and Divine judgment. 

During Rosh Hashanah and in the 10 days leading up to Yom Kippur, we think about our actions in the past year and resolve to do better in the year to come. Doing better can take on many forms - apologizing to those we’ve wronged, confessing our sins, praying, giving to charity and working to repair our mistakes.

And because it wouldn’t be a Jewish holiday without food, we also celebrate by eating foods that are sweet and foods that are round to symbolize our wishes for a happy and full New Year. 


From Seeker Season Guidebook for the Curious & Courageous https://highholidaysathome.com/haggadah/seeker-season


Booklet Section: Introduction