Rosh HaShanah, meaning "head of the year" in Hebrew, signifies the Jewish New Year. Biblically known as Yom Teruah or "day of shouting/blasting," it marks the onset of the Jewish High Holy Days, occurring in late summer or early autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Leviticus 23:23–25 outlines its observance. Rosh Hashanah initiates a ten-day period of penitence, concluding with Yom Kippur, and commences a cycle of autumnal religious festivals like Sukkot, culminating in Shemini Atzeret in Israel and Simchat Torah elsewhere. This two-day observance starts on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the ecclesiastical year. Unlike the ecclesiastical lunar new year during the first month, Nisan, coinciding with Passover in spring that commemorates Israel's exodus from Egypt, Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the civil year according to Judaism. It is considered the traditional anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, signifying humanity's initiation into God's world. Customs during Rosh Hashanah include sounding the shofar, a ram's horn, as instructed in the Torah. Additional rabbinical practices involve attending synagogue services, reciting special liturgy concerning teshuva (repentance), and partaking in festive meals. Symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey are consumed, symbolizing a desire for a sweet new year—an ancient tradition mentioned in the Talmud.

Rosh Hashanah - Wikipedia