Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish New Year, beginning at sundown on September 11, 2026, and concluding at sundown on September 13. This two-day observance is a time for prayer, reflection, and festive meals, symbolizing a fresh start on the Hebrew calendar. Join in traditions like sounding the shofar and sharing apples dipped in honey to welcome a sweet new year.
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Expected Rosh Hashanah Deals
While Rosh Hashanah is primarily a religious observance, many retailers offer special promotions on items traditionally associated with the holiday. Expect to find discounts on kosher foods, including challah, honey, and wine, at grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and Kroger. Judaica shops, such as Zion Judaica and Rite Lite, often feature sales on shofars, honey dishes, and other ceremonial items. Additionally, bakeries may offer special pricing on round challah and honey cakes. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September 11 approaches.
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History of Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is not mentioned in the religious text of Judaism, the Torah, but appears under various names in the Bible. Given the evidence and existing text, the holiday was well established by the sixth century B.C. ‘Rosh Hashanah’ appeared for the first time in 200 A.D. in the Jewish code of law — Mishnah.
A new year in the Jewish calendar starts with Rosh Hashanah on the first day of the month of Tishrei, however, for religious purposes, the year begins on the first of the month of Nisan. This difference is due to the fact that God is said to have created the world on the former date. So, in a way, Rosh Hashanah is not just the start of a New Year but is also the birthday of creation.
In addition to Rosh Hashanah, there are three other ‘New Years’ on the Jewish calendar, according to the Mishnah: Nisan 1, Elul 1, and Shevat 15, respectively. Each date has its own significance and reason for celebration.
Tradition tells us that God passes judgment on all creatures during the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, known as ‘10 Days of Awe.’ Whether or not someone will continue to live or die in the coming year is determined during this time. According to Jewish law, the names of the righteous are inscribed by God in the “Book of Life” and the wicked are condemned to death on Rosh Hashanah. People have time until Yom Kippur to repent by performing ‘teshuvah,’ to tip the scales in their favor. For this reason, observant Jews consider Rosh Hashanah and the days surrounding it as a time for vigilant prayer, good deeds, reflecting on past mistakes, and making amends with others.
Rosh Hashanah timeline
Following the Second Temple of Jerusalem's destruction, Rosh Hashanah changes from a one-day event to a two-day event due to the fact that it becomes too difficult to determine the date of the new moon.
Although this holiday is considered to have been established sometime during the sixth century B.C., the phrase 'Rosh Hashanah' does not surface until the Mishnah — the book of Jewish oral laws.
Originally referred to as 'berches,' the term 'challah,' coined in Austria, appears.
'Tashlikh' is the tradition of throwing items into a body of water to symbolize ridding oneself of sin.
The Western Union Telegraph Company reports that Jewish people send telegrams of congratulations and well-wishing much more frequently than members of any other group.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Rosh Hashanah
Local businesses can honor Rosh Hashanah by offering special kosher menus or products. Restaurants can create holiday-themed dishes featuring apples, honey, and pomegranates. Grocery stores can highlight kosher sections and offer discounts on traditional ingredients like challah, wine, and festive desserts. Judaica stores can promote shofars, honey dishes, and other ceremonial items, providing resources for community members to observe the holiday meaningfully.
Traditions of the Day
During Rosh Hashanah, Jews may take one or two days off from work, attending High Holy Day Services, gathering with family and friends, and preparing special meals. Symbolic foods include apples, honey, challah (egg bread), fish, couscous, and dates.
The High Holy Days conclude 10 days later with the Jewish calendar’s most sacred day, Yom Kippur.
Rosh Hashanah FAQs
When is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, September 11, and concludes at sundown on Sunday, September 13. This sacred period marks the start of the Jewish New Year, a time for introspection and renewal.
What are the main traditions of Rosh Hashanah?
Key traditions include sounding the shofar (ram’s horn), attending synagogue services, and eating symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey for a sweet year. Many also perform Tashlich, casting bread crumbs into a body of water to symbolize casting away sins.
How many people celebrate Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah is observed by millions of Jewish people worldwide, including an estimated 7.5 million in the United States. It is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the Jewish calendar, marking a significant spiritual milestone.
What is the meaning of Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew, signifying the start of the Jewish calendar year. It is a time for spiritual accounting, seeking forgiveness, and committing to a better year ahead, often referred to as the Day of Judgment.
How to Observe Rosh Hashanah
Attend synagogue services
Because of its religious significance, Rosh Hashanah can be celebrated by attending synagogue, participating in prayers, and performing the Tashlikh — a ceremony in which bread is tossed into a body of water to symbolize the casting away of sins.
Eat (the traditional way)
Jews eat challah bread because it represents the continuity of life. They dip apples into honey to embody the hope for good health and sweetness throughout the New Year.
Greet others in Hebrew
Just as you wish a person a "Happy Birthday," or offer the sentiment of a "Happy Holidays," you can pay respect to those celebrating Rosh Hashanah by wishing them the following: “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year" in Hebrew. Specifically, to a man you would say: “Leshanah tovah tikatev vetichatem;" and to a woman, you would say: “Leshanah tovah tikatevee vetichatemee."
5 Facts About Rosh Hashanah
Enjoying exotic fruits
It’s traditional to eat a fruit you haven’t eaten for a long time on the second night of Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah liturgy has inspired at least two songs
The 20-minute song ‘My Father, My King’ by the band Mogwai and Leonard Cohen’s ‘Who By Fire’ were inspired by religious liturgy.
There is an annual pilgrimage
Thousands of Hasidic Jews undertake a pilgrimage to Ukraine for ‘Kibbutz’ — the annual Rosh Hashanah gathering.
It’s not the only new year
Rosh Hashanah is one of four Jewish New Years.
The traditional shofar horn smells bad
It is commonly known that the ram’s horn blown on the holiday is very smelly.
Why Rosh Hashanah is Important
A new beginning
As the first of the Jewish High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah is viewed as an opportunity to reset and establish the tone for the next year. During this time, people are reminded to think about their past years' experiences, practice penitence, settle any debts they may have accrued, and ask for forgiveness.
A father's sacrifice
On Rosh Hashanah, it is a custom for a shofar (ram's horn) to be blown like a trumpet. This gesture takes place in synagogue— where most of Rosh Hashanah is spent — and reminds people of the blessed event in which God allowed Abraham to sacrifice a ram instead of his son Isaac.
Reflection
Rosh Hashanah's a time to begin self-reflection, repent for their past wrongdoings, practice righteousness, and set new goals.
Rosh Hashanah dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 22 | Monday |
| 2026 | September 11 | Friday |
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