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Rosh Hashanah, which literally means “the head of the year,” is observed and celebrated on the first of Tishri. In ancient times it was difficult for Jews outside of Jerusalem to be sure of the exact date of the new Moon during Tishri, which begins the holiday, so Rosh Hashanah is usually celebrated for two days both in Israel and in other parts of the world where Jews live. According to the Torah, Tishri, sometimes called Ethanim, is the seventh month in the Jewish calendar. Despite this, the Jewish New Year has been observed and celebrated on the first day of Tishri since ancient times. n Celebrating Rosh Hashanah Jews believe many important events occurred on or after Rosh Hashanah. It is on this day that God created humanity, making it the birthday of the world. It is also the day that Isaac was born to Abraham. Rosh Hashanah marks the time when God revealed to Moses that the first tribes of Jews,

p  During the Jewish High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), a curtain is hung over the ark that houses the Torahs. Here, Jewish men pray at the ark that houses the Torahs.

Origins and Celebrations of Rosh Hashanah n 13