Rosh Hashana Overview:
Rosh Hashana is the new Jewish Year lasting for two days at the start of the month of Tishrei. Unlike other festivals, the keeping of two days is universal, also being kept by those living in Eretz Yisroel. It also starts the ten days of repentance. It has four names:
- Yom HaDin – day of Judgement,
- Yom HaZikoroin – day of remembrance,
- Rosh Hashana – literally Head of the Year,
- Yom Terua – day of blowing.
The four names of Rosh Hashana:
These name each reflect a different facet to the nature of this day. Rosh Hashana describes the time of year and the implication behind it – a time for a new start. Perhaps in this sense it starts the ten days of repentance. Yom HaDin reflects the nature and mood of the day – the whole following year for the whole world is to be judged and decided on this day! Yom HaZikoroin is incorporated in this being remembered for whom we are and what our function is in the world. Yom Terua is named after the sound of the blowing of the shofar that comes to help us in judgement by switching the judgement from din to rachamim.