The first and second days of Tishri mark the days of Rosh Hashanah.
Though there are not many similarities between the Jewish and American new year as far as festivities go, both holidays are used as a time to resolve for a better upcoming year, make peace in the community, and to be a better person.
No work is allowed on Rosh Hashanah, and much of the day is spent in a synagogue reading from a special prayerbook, the machzor, that is also used for Yom Kippur.
One food-based tradition at this time of year is to dip apples and bread into honey as a way to wish for a sweet new year.
Another Rosh Hashanah-specific tradition not addressed in the Bible is the Tashlich, “casting off.” For this, the Jewish will walk to flowing water on the first day of the holiday and empty the contents of their pockets into the river, symbolizing the casting off of sins. Often, a piece of bread is placed in the pockets to be cast off as well.
In the spirit of the holiday, L’Shanah Tovah to the Jewish Leesville community!
Virginia Reed is a superb writer and an even better friend. She enjoys unhealthy foods and writing sarcastic articles. Virginia is the Online Editor for the 2011-12 school year and was a Managing Editor for the 2010-11 year but has not forgotten her humble beginnings as a staff writer when she was a wee sophomore. Her goals for the future are to get an A in newspaper and to apply to college in a timely fashion.
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