Let's celebrate! Dip your apple in honey. Shana Tova!

Tonight marks the first day in the Jewish new year! Happy Year 5778! The New Year's celebration starts at sundown on September 20 (Tishrei 1 on the Jewish calendar) and continues through sunset on September 22. This celebration marks the birthday of the universe, when God created Adam and Eve. During these two days, it is a time to ask the Almighty to grant us a year of peace, prosperity and blessing. Moreover, it is a joyous day when God is proclaimed King of the Universe.

The Jewish new year is often called Rosh Hashanah, which means head of the year. It is also referred to in the Torah as Yom Teruah (Day of Shouting). In Jewish prayers, it is often called Yom Hazikaron (Day of Remembrance) and Yom Hadin (Day of Judgment). Rosh Hashanah is the start of Yamim Nora'im (High Holidays). The day of Yom Kippur, when Jews gather in synagogue for 25 hours of fasting and prayer, is less than two weeks later. The days in between (known as the 10 Days of Repentance or the Ten Days of Return) are a time for teshuvah, returning to God. Yom Kippur is followed by the joyous celebrations of Sukkot (eight days where the Jews dwell in tents) and Simchat Torah (the start of the annual Torah reading cycle).

The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the shofar (ram's horn). The blowing of the shofar represents the trumpet blast that is sounded at the king's coronation. The shofar blast also serves as a call to repentance. Additionally, the shofar is a reminder of Abraham binding his son Isaac on Mount Moriah, an event that occurred on Rosh Hashanah in which a ram took Isaac's place as an offering to God (see Genesis 22:1-19). Often on the first day of the new year, the shofar is blown 100 times during the morning services. The blowing of the shofar contains three types of blast: tekiah (a long sob-like blast), shevarim (a series of three short wails) and teruah (at least nine piercing staccato blasts).

During this time, the festive meals often contain specific foods. The bread (traditionally round challah loaves which are often sprinkled with raisins) is dipped in honey instead of salt, expressing the wish for a sweet year. Furthermore, it is tradition to start the meal on the first night with slices of apples dipped in honey. Before eating the apple, the ha'eitz blessing is said, "May it be Your will to renew for us a good and sweet year." It is tradition to avoid certain foods such as nuts, vinegar-based foods, sharp foods and horseradish since a bitter year is not wanted.

So, let's sing and shout, blow the shofar and dip an apple in honey! Tonight rings in the year 5778! Let's celebrate this start to another glorious new year! Shana Tova!