Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a two-day celebration that commemorates the creation of the world. One of the holiest holidays in the Hebrew calendar, Rosh Hashanah, which means "head of the year" in Hebrew, begins Monday (Sept. 6) and ends on the evening of Wednesday (Sept. 8) this year.

The day is marked with feasts, candle lighting and prayers. Bread and apples dipped in honey is the symbolic food that signifies the wish for a sweet new year.

Several prayers associated with the new year are recited from a prayer book called the Machzor. The following are five prayers to recite on the occasion.

  • "Praised are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe who has chosen and distinguished us by sanctifying our lives with commandments. Lovingly have you given us this Day of Remembrance, a day for recalling the shofar sound, a day for holy assembly and for recalling the Exodus from Egypt. Thus have you chosen us, sanctifying us among all people. Your faithful word endures forever. Praise are You, Lord, Ruler of all the earth, who sanctifies, the people Israel and the Day of Remembrance." -- while holding a cup of wine before the evening meal.
  • "Who is like you, God, who removes iniquity and forgives transgression of the remainder of his heritage. He doesn't remain angry forever because he desires kindness. He will return and he will be merciful to us, and he will conquer our iniquities, and he will cast them into the depths of the sea. Give faithfulness to Jacob, kindness to Abraham like that you swore to our ancestors from long ago. From the straits I called upon God and with abounding relief God answered me. God is with me, I will not be afraid, what can man do to me? God is with me to help me, and I will see my foes [annihilated]. It is better to take refuge in God than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in God, that to rely on nobles."
  • "Praised are you, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth."
  • "Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe who has sanctified us with his commandments and commanded us to light the candles of the holiday." -- words recited while lighting candles.
  • "Blessed art thou, Lord our God, king of the universe, creator of the fruit of the trees. May it be your will, Lord our God and God of our fathers, that you renew for us a good and sweet year in our Lord Yeshua the Messiah."
Rosh Hashanah
Individuals take part in the Tashlikh casting off Rosh Hashanah ritual on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, in the southern city of Ashdod Sept. 5, 2013. Reuters
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