Rosh Hashanah in Hebrew means head of the year, or New Year. It is considered to be an auspicious time in Judaism when Jews must turn over a new page in the book of judgment that weighs in favor or against a person's conduct in the previous year and prepares him or her for the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur that follows thereafter.

It is celebrated for two days, beginning on the first day of the Jewish month of Tishri and usually falls in September or early October.

Solemn prayers mark the two days for a happy and prosperous New Year. Traditionally, it is a period when the Lord judges the life of every man and woman, and enters them, either in the Book of Life or the Book of Death. It is a custom in Rosh Hashanah to greet friends and relatives with the words, "May you be inscribed for a Happy New Year," that is recorded in the Book of Life.

Rosh Hashanah paves the way to the most important time of the Jewish religious year - the ten-day period leading up to the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur, at which time, most Jews fast and pray to the Lord to forgive them for their sins.

There are certain rites that must be observed on both days of Rosh Hashanah, such as setting the dinner table with honey, specific vegetables and fruits such as pomegranate and apple preserves, these being symbols of hope for a "sweet, smooth and prosperous year." Rosh Hashanah is also known as the Feast of Trumpets when a Shofar (trumpet), made out of a ram's horn, is blown in the synagogue to call people to prayer. It is a day to which most Jews look forward and is celebrated in Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Synagogues. Generally, people, particularly in the orthodox communities, dress in white and wear soft, comfortable shoes that symbolize spiritual purity. It is not a requirement and is considered to be optional.

Unlike the Christian New Year that is celebrated globally with no spiritual significance, Rosh Hashanah marks the first milestone in the observance of Judaism, followed by other religious celebrations throughout the rest of the year, all of which are biblically and historically chronicled in the Old Testament.

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