| While Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year is an | | | | to be a day of contemplation, learning and praying. |
| occasion of joyous celebrations, it is also deeply | | | | It is believed that if one is not prepared to do |
| characterized by religious customs. It's a solemn | | | | these on the day of Rosh Hashanah and spends |
| day of Judgment and Reckoning. Its also a joyous | | | | his time sleeping, his good fortune will not be |
| occasion for which people prepare by bathing, | | | | prepared to show its face during the upcoming |
| cutting out hair and wearing good clothing. Rosh | | | | year. This is mentioned in the Jerusalem Talmud |
| Hashanah marks the beginning of the High | | | | which says - |
| Holidays. It ushers in the ten days of repentance | | | | "If one sleeps at the year's beginning (Rosh |
| leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. | | | | Hashanah), his good fortune likewise sleeps." |
| Various customs are associated with Rosh | | | | 3) No nuts - Its is customary to avoid eating nuts |
| Hashanah. The list of religious norms to be | | | | during Rosh Hashanah because of two reasons - |
| maintained on this occasion is long. The blowing of | | | | (i) Nuts produce an overabundance of saliva or |
| Shofar, the Seder, the Taschlich, Tzedakha, | | | | phlegm and can make it difficult to recite the |
| Kiddush, the customary food that includes - the | | | | prayers of the day. (ii) Nuts have the same |
| Challah, Apple dipped in Honey, Pomegranate, | | | | numerical equivalent in Hebrew as that of sin. |
| Tamri, Tzimmes to name a few. However, there | | | | 4) No colored dresses - While there is no absolute |
| are also certain prohibitions to be followed during | | | | stricture regarding colored dresses, it is |
| this auspicious festival. While the stricture of | | | | customary to wear white garments during Rosh |
| theses customs and prohibitions has declined over | | | | Hashanah. The color white symbolizes purity and |
| the years, many people still follow these with | | | | renewal which reflects the true essence of Rosh |
| solemn dedication. | | | | Hashanh. The color white on Rosh Hashanah also |
| Six prohibitions during Rosh Hashanah - | | | | symbolizes the ideal of nearness to G-d, and it |
| 1) No work - Rosh Hashanah is meant to be a | | | | enhances the religious solemnities of the day. |
| day solely dedicated for praying in the synagogue, | | | | During the synagogue services, the Rabbi and the |
| asking for redemption of one's sin and enjoying | | | | Cantor wear white Kittels (kind of robes). It is |
| oneself with one's family. Hence it is a day of no | | | | reminiscent of the words read on Rosh Hashanah: |
| work. 'Melacha', which means actions that serve | | | | "Come, now, let us reason together, says G-d. If |
| any positive purpose, are prohibited on Rosh | | | | your sins are like scarlet they will become as |
| Hashanah with the exception of food preparation, | | | | white as snow; if they have become red as |
| carrying and transferring or increasing of fire. The | | | | crimson, they will become white as wool" |
| Jews treat this day as an important holiday and | | | | (Yeshayahu 1:18). |
| do not engage in jobs, business or other | | | | 5) No anger - One should be careful to avoid |
| productive work on this day. | | | | anger during Rosh Hashanah. It is believed that |
| 2) No sleep in the afternoon - It is customary not | | | | G-d judges and treats his followers in the same |
| to take a nap on the afternoon of Rosh | | | | way as they judge and treat others. If one is |
| Hashanah. While some hold this to be applicable | | | | angry with others, G-d similarly will be angry with |
| only for the first day of Rosh Hashanah ( it being | | | | him. |
| a two day occasion ), others consider this custom | | | | 6) No smoking - One should refrain from smoking |
| to hold good for both days of Rosh Hashanah. | | | | on this auspicious day. It's the beginning of a New |
| Rosh Hashanah is viewed as a representation of | | | | year when one should remain free from all |
| the coming year. If one engages in sleep on this | | | | negative addictions and engage in prayers and |
| day, he or she will likewise have a sleepy year. | | | | contemplation. |
| Rosh Hashanah is not a day to be idle. It's meant | | | | |