Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah means "Head of the year" or "First of the year" in Hebrew. It is one of the holiest days of Judaism. Rosh Hashanah occurs for two days at the start of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Rosh Hashanah is a time to reflect on mistakes and plan changes for the new year.
The Shofar
The Shofar is a trumpet used in religious ceremonies made from the horn of a ram, goat, gazelle, or antellope. Shofars have an important role in Jewish history. They were blown to announce jubilee and the start of a new month. The number of times the Shofar is blown differs. Some congregations will blow it 100 times. Others will blow 41 or 101 blasts.
The Food
There are many symbolic foods eaten on Rosh Hashanah. One of those foods isit is eaten. honey. On the first night of Rosh Hashanah, apples are dipped in honey and eaten. Loaves of challah are also eaten on Rosh Hashanah. Challah is an egg bread served traditionally on Shabbat. On Rosh Hashanah, the loaves are shaped into spirals or rounds. Sometimes raisins or honey are added to the challah. Many households will also make honey cakes, sometimes made with recipies that have been passed down. Honey cake can be made with many different spices. On the second night of Rosh Hashanah, new fruit is eaten. New fruit is fruit that has come in to season recently that has not had the oppurtunity to be eaten yet. Pomegranates are often eaten as the new fruit.
Jewish Holidays
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. It is a time to reconcile with God and with each other. Yom Kippur occurs on the tenth day of Tishrei.
Fasting
Yom Kippur is a day of fasting. For 25 hours, from sunset on the night before Yom Kippur to nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur, no eating or drinking is permitted. According to tradition, all males from age 13 and all females from age 12 must fast. Women in childbirth and children under the age of nine are not permitted to fast.
Breaking the Fast
Often, the breakfast meal is made up of dairy-based dishes. Bagels with cream cheese and fish are one common breakfast dishes. Kugels, baked puddings usually made with noodles or potatoes, are convenient because they can be made in advance. Another common dish, blintzes are thin pancakes wrapped around a filling then fried. Both kugels and blintzes can be either sweet or savory. Eggs are eaten because they are full of protein and amino acids. In addition to healthy dishes, cookies and cake are served. Cookies like rugelach, mandelbrot, and German cinnamon stars are often eaten. Light, simple cakes including babka, küchen, and coffee cake are also popular options.
By M. Woodburn