Shana Tova!

Today I want to wish my Jewish friends and visitors to this blog “Shana Tova”. Today we celebrate the Head “Rosh” of the Year “Hashanah”. It is a festival which is both serious and joyful; serious because it is the day of judgement and happy because if the meaning of the day is understood and used properly then the Jewish people receive a favourable judgement. On Rosh Hashanah humanity and free will is celebrated. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated as the “birthday of the world”, as according to the Torah it is on this day that God created man. Each year on this day, the Jewish people proclaim God as their one and true King.

The Torah states that we are made in the image of God and this means that human beings possess free will (our actions not being predetermined but chosen by us). We are responsible for the consequences of our actions.

The food associated with this Festival are apples and honey. The apples are dipped in honey which symbolise our desire for a sweet and happy year.

On the first night of Rosh HaShanah (tonight), after prayer services, a special greeting is used, which is only said on this night "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."

Amen