Rosh HaShana (literally the "Head of the Year") is the Jewish new year. It is said to be the birthday of the mankind--the day on which humanity was created.

On the first night of Rosh HaShana, it is customary to eat an apple dipped in honey, which symbolizes our wish for a good and sweet year. In synogogue, the "shofar" is sounded to proclaim the start of the new year. The "shofar" is an instrument made from the horn of a ram.

Rosh HaShana is the first of ten days of reflection, which end with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. During this period, we ask for forgiveness of those whom we have hurt during the year. In these ten days, it is said that God writes the "book of life", the fate of each and every person for the coming year. On Yom Kippur, the "book of life" is signed and sealed.

In addition to apples and honey, the traditional Rosh HaShana meal includes the head of a fish or lamb, to symbolize the "head" (rosh) of the year and honey cake for dessert.

Since Rosh HaShana is celebrated for two days and Jewish law forbids blowing the shofar (or playing any musical instrument) on the Sabbath, when the first day of Rosh HaShana falls on the Sabbath, the shofar is blown on the second day, instead.