Rosh Hashanah’s Traditions and Customs Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish holiday marking the first and second days of the Jewish year. (In 2022, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Sunday, September 25, and continues through nightfall on Tuesday, September 27). It’s the day G-d created Adam and Eve, and is celebrated as the head of the Jewish year. Rosh Hashanah Is Celebrated With Hearing the sounding of the ram’s horn (shofar) on both mornings Lighting candles each evening Eating festive meals with sweet delicacies during the night and day, which include: - Kiddush, a benediction and prayer recited over a cup of wine immediately before the meal on the eve of the Sabbath or of a festival; the ceremony acknowledges the sanctity of the day that has just begun. (britannica.com) - Round, raisin challah bread dipped in honey - Apples dipped in honey (on the first night) - The head of a fish, pomegranates, and other foods symbolizing our wishes for the coming year (on the first night) - A new fruit (on the second night) - Performing Tashlich, a brief prayer said at a body of fresh water - Attending services in synagogue - Desisting from creative work The Shofar-Blowing The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is hearing the sounding of the shofar, the ram’s horn. It is a mitzvah (a good deed) to hear the shofar on both mornings of the holiday. The first 30 blasts of the shofar are blown following the Torah reading during morning services, and as many as 70 are then blown during (and immediately after) the Musaf service. For someone who cannot come to synagogue, the shofar may be blown the rest of the day. If you cannot make it out, please call us to arrange a “house call.� Chabad of Topanga is located at 1459 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga, CA 90290. (310) 455-1597. chabadoftopanga.com; Facebook.