God King's Sealing

Lore & Background

Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holy Days, occurring in late summer or early autumn. The source states that biblical names for this holiday include Yom Teruah, meaning 'day of blasting,' as specified in Leviticus 23:23–25 and Numbers 29:1. While the term Rosh Hashanah appears once in Ezekiel 40:1 with a different meaning, it is not found in the Torah to describe the holiday itself. The Talmud characterizes this day as when God is crowned king anew each year, an act effectuated by shofar blasts symbolizing coronation horns. This period initiates the Ten Days of Repentance, culminating in Yom Kippur. The source notes that on this day, three books of judgment are opened: one for the completely wicked, one for the wholly righteous who are immediately sealed 'for life,' and one for those in an intermediate state who have ten days to repent.

In Their Own Story

The narrative within the source describes a spiritual journey rather than a physical battle. It recounts how, according to rabbinical tradition, humanity is judged on Rosh Hashanah with creatures passing before God 'like sheep.' The Talmud cites Rabbi Kruspedai, attributing his view to Rabbi Yochanan, stating that the fate of individuals is inscribed in these books. The righteous are sealed for life, while the wicked are blotted out from the book of the living, referencing Psalm 69:29. Midrashic descriptions depict God sitting on a throne with open books evaluating deeds. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis noted in October 2024 that this time is for reflecting on the past for the sake of the future. The story concludes with the transition to Sukkot, followed immediately by Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, ending the holiday season.

Reader's Guide

Practitioners observe Rosh Hashanah over two days starting on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the ecclesiastical year. The celebration begins the evening prior to the first day. Key customs include sounding the shofar as prescribed in the Torah for Yom Teruah and eating symbolic foods representing a sweet new year, an ancient custom recorded in the Talmud. Services center on three themes: crowning God as king, shofar blasts, and God remembering us in judgment. A specific ritual called 'Tashlich' (to cast) is performed between the first day of Rosh Hashanah and Hoshana Rabbah. Participants recite prayers by water, shaking out garments or throwing stones and bread to symbolically cast away sins into the depths.

Did You Know?

• Rosh Hashanah marks the traditional anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.
• The term 'Rosh Hashanah' does not appear in the Torah; it is called Yom Teruah or 'day of blasting'.
• According to Talmudic tradition, three books are opened on this day: one for the wholly righteous, one for the completely wicked, and one for those in an intermediate state.
• The ritual of Tashlich can be performed anytime between the first day of Rosh Hashanah and Hoshana Rabbah.
• Rosh Hashanah begins on the first day of Tishrei, which is the seventh month of the ecclesiastical year.

Etymology and Biblical Terminology

The name Rosh Hashanah translates to 'head of the year,' derived from Hebrew words for head (rosh), the definite article (ha), and year (shana). Despite its current meaning, this term does not appear in the Torah. Leviticus 23:24 refers to it as zikhron teru'ah ('a memorial of blowing'), while Numbers 29:1 calls it yom teru'ah ('day of blowing'). The phrase appears once in Ezekiel 40:1, but there it likely refers generally to the beginning of a year or possibly Yom Kippur. In prayer books (siddurs and machzors), the holiday is also called Yom haZikkaron, meaning 'the day of remembrance,' distinguishing it from the modern Israeli remembrance day.

Theological Significance and Divine Coronation

Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the civil year in Judaism, distinct from the spring month of Nisan which begins the ecclesiastical year. It is traditionally celebrated as the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, initiating humanity's role in God's world. The Sages in the Talmud characterize this day as the moment when God is crowned king anew, a symbolic act performed through shofar blasts that mimic coronation horns. This event initiates the Ten Days of Repentance, making it an opportune time for reflection and atonement before Yom Kippur.

Agricultural Roots and Ancient Origins

While Semitic speakers set their new year in autumn, other civilizations like Persians or Greeks chose spring. Scholars note similarities between Rosh Hashanah and the Babylonian Akitu festival, which was celebrated in Tashritu (the seventh month) and involved creation myths similar to the Jewish belief that the world was created on this day.

Ritual Customs and Symbolic Practices

Customs include sounding the shofar, eating symbolic foods for a sweet year, and attending synagogue services. The liturgy focuses on three themes: God's kingship, shofar blasts, and divine remembrance in judgment. The 'Tashlich' ritual involves reciting prayers by water between Rosh Hashanah and Hoshana Rabbah, where participants cast away sins symbolically using stones or bread.