ROSH HASHANAH
ראש השנה« Beginning the year with sweetness, without forgetting those for whom it begins in hardship. »
Next occurrence2 October 2027 – 3 October 2027 · In 339 days
The feast begins the evening before, at sunset.
Calendar: choose your city to determine the Israel or Diaspora context.
The essentials
In brief
Rosh Hashanah, on the 1st and 2nd of Tishrei, opens the Jewish year: it is the day of judgment and the beginning of the ten days of Teshuva.
The sounding of the Shofar is at its center: a call to wake up, examine the past year, and set out again.
It is a day both solemn and full of trust: we acknowledge the kingship of Hashem and ask for a good year, for ourselves and for others.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ROSH HASHANAH ↓
THE MEANING OF THESE TWO DAYS
Rosh Hashanah is not merely a calendar transition: tradition presents it as a day of judgment, when each person stands before Hashem.
It is also the day on which His kingship is proclaimed: hence the central place of the Malkhuyot prayers in Musaf.
THE SHOFAR
Hearing the Shofar is the mitzvah unique to the day. Its sounds — Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah — follow one another in an order fixed by tradition.
The sound of the Shofar is understood as a call: to break out of habit, to wake up, to return.
When Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat, customs differ: ask your Rabbi.
THE PRAYERS OF THE DAY
The services are longer than usual, with a Musaf specific to the day.
- Arvit at the start of the holiday.
- Shacharit and the Torah reading.
- Musaf: Malkhuyot, Zichronot, Shofarot.
- Mincha, then Tashlich according to community customs.
AT HOME
The festive meals are accompanied by simanim: foods carrying wishes, presented with a short formula depending on the community.
Sephardi custom often includes a more elaborate order of simanim on the first night.
The lists and formulas vary by community: follow your family's custom or your Rabbi's guidance.
THE TEN DAYS OF TESHUVA
Rosh Hashanah opens a period that extends until Yom Kippur: Selichot, Tzedaka, and requests for forgiveness are increased.
The work begun here reaches its completion at Yom Kippur.
Editorial references: Vayikra / Leviticus 23:24 · Bemidbar / Numbers 29:1
Festival dates
From the evening of Friday 1 October 2027 until Sunday 3 October 2027
א׳ תִּשְׁרֵי תשפ״ח
The feast begins the evening before, at sunset.
Key points
- Rosh Hashanah is observed on the 1st and 2nd of Tishrei.
- The central mitzvah of the day is hearing the Shofar.
- These days open the ten days of Teshuva leading to Yom Kippur.
- The prayers emphasize the kingship of Hashem and judgment.
- The festive meals include simanim, signs of good wishes for the year.
PRACTICAL INFO — THIS OCCURRENCE
Jerusalem
Times for this occurrence, calculated for Jerusalem (Israel) in its own time zone.
Times are unavailable for this date and city.
For any personal situation or halachic question, seek guidance from your Rabbi.
What this feast teaches us
« When we ask for a good and sweet year, we can also help make another family's year a little sweeter. »
Our action
LET EVERY FAMILY ENTER THE YEAR WITH DIGNITY
As Rosh Hashanah approaches, THORA FREE mobilizes its community to help families prepare Yom Tov with dignity: food needs, essential expenses and help adapted to their situation.
Your gift makes a real difference
Every contribution allows THORA FREE to pass on the Torah and provide concrete help to families in our community.
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