New Year in Jewish Tradition and Modernity: Rosh Hashanah Between the Sacred and the Secular Introduction: New Year as a Day of Judgment Unlike the secular New Year's Day on January 1st, the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew for "Head of the Year"), represents a complex synthesis of liturgical, legal, and agricultural cycles. Celebrated on the first and second days of the month of Tishrei (September-October), it is not just a day of joy. According to the Oral Torah (Mishna, Rosh Hashanah 1:2), it is primarily the Day of Judgment (Yom ha-Din), when the Almighty evaluates the actions of each person and pronounces an initial verdict for the coming year. This duality — joy at the beginning of a new cycle and trepidation before judgment — forms a unique structure of the holiday that persists in modernity. Theological and Ritual Foundations: The Sound of the Shofar and Repentance The key commandment (mitzvah) of Rosh Hashanah is listening to the sounds of the shofar (ram's horn). Its blowing (teruah) is not a musical act but has a strict liturgical structure (tekiah, shevarim, teruah) and a profound symbolic meaning. The sound of the shofar is interpreted as: A reminder of the Sinaitic Revelation, when the blowing accompanied the giving of the Torah. A call to spiritual awakening (the Hebrew root "sh-f-r" is connected to the concept of "improve"). It is a tool for "shaking up" the soul, calling for internal self-analysis (hisbonen nefesh) and repentance (teshuvah). A reminder of the sacrifice of Isaac (Akeda), where the ram became a substitute for the son. This connection emphasizes the mercy of God. The period of ten days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is called "Days of Awe" (Yamim Noraim). This is a time of intense prayer, repentance, and reconciliation between people, for according to tradition, forgiving offenses committed against others is a necessary condition for receiving forgiveness from above. Symbolism of the festive meal: edi ... Read more