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Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Rosh Hashanah 2008 falls on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 30, and October 1, 2008 . Yom Kippur 2008 -- The Day of Atonement ( Leviticus 23: 26-32). Thursday, October 9, 2008.

Biblical sources for Rosh Hashana can be found in Leviticus 23:23-24. A whole tractate of the Babylonian Talmud is named for the holiday (Rosh Hashanah). In the Code of Jewish Law, the laws of Rosh Hashanah can be found starting in Orach Chaim chapter 581.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are basically one "unit" of the holidays, with Sukkot and Simchas Torah another unit. The Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement are a culmination of a period of introspection started some 30 days before Rosh Hashanah. The Jewish New Year is also known as the Day of Judgement. The period between this day and the Day of Atonement is known as 10 days of Repentance. It is believed that even after judgement, true repentance to do Good can nullify a difficult judgement. From this belief spring many customs.

Customs of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur

• Wearing white at prayer services. The Talmud emphasizes that white is the color of merit, rather than guilt. Wearing white shows faith in the Judge of Judges to arrive at a true judgement.
• "Good Omen" foods. The Talmud mentions the custom of eating certain foods to arouse the heart to prayer. The first evening of the New Year is seen as a propitious time for prayers for both spiritual and physical benefits. Some common foods used for the "Significant Omen" are:
  • Apples and Honey, that one should be granted a good and sweet New Year.
  • Dates
  • Pomegranites
  • Gourd
  • Carrots or Black-eyed peas
  • Leeks or Cabbage
  • Beets
  • Fish
  • Head of Fish or Sheep
• Dipping the Challah in Honey -- It is customary to dip the challah in honey from Rosh Hashanah until the end of Simchat Torah.
• Greeting one's fellow with "Happy New Year" ("L'shanah Tova"), and "May you be sealed for a good year" ("G'mar Chatima Tova").
• Sending Greeting Cards wishing your friends and relatives a good and happy year.

Rosh Hashanah Greeting Cards