The High Holydays
Tishrei is the 7th month of the Jewish lunar Calendar and normally falls in September or October on our modern Gregorian solar calendar. The three major holidays we celebrate during Tishrei are Rosh Hashanah (New Year or Trumpets); Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement); and Sukkot (Tabernacles). This year, 2007, which will begin the Jewish Year 5758, the dates fall:
Rosh HaShanah/Trumpets: September 13 (beginning at sundown on the 12th)
Yom Kippur/Atonement: September 22 (beginning at sundown on the 21st)
Sukkot/Tabernacles: September 27 through October 5 (period of seven days)
In biblical times there were two “New Year” celebrations. One was in the Spring, with the 1st of the month of Nisan, which falls in March/April (Exodus 12:1), and the other in the Fall, the date known as Rosh HaShanah today. These days are described in the Torah in Leviticus 23: 23-36. Ironically, these three major holidays that fall in the 7th month serve as both an “end” and a beginning to the “sacred seasons” in that the cycle that began with Passover ends, but the Sabbath and Jubilee years were renewed at that season (see Leviticus 25:1-10), and important legal matters were settled (debts forgiven, etc.).
Rosh Hashanah, literally “head of the year” has become the tradition New Year’s Day in Judaism today. Ten days later is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement”. The days between them are called “Days of Awe”. This description captures the the mood, the meaning, and the purpose of this 10-day period of the year. These are days of awe because they evoke anxiety, trepidation, humility, and soul searching. 
The first steps of any journey set the course and how we begin the year is the key to everything else that follows. The potential– and the responsibility– of the first two Jewish holidays are awesome.
According to one group of ancient rabbinic sages Rosh Hashanah commemorated the day G-d created Adam and Eve and was the birthday of the world as far as humankind is concerned, while others maintained the world began in the Spring, in Nisan. Over the centuries the observance of the 1st day of the 7th month prevailed. In the Bible this day is called the “Day of the Blasting,” referring to the Shofar or Trumpet that was blown throughout the land. It came to symbolize the day of Judgment, and thus the day for G-d to annually judge the world and everyone in it. So, the other name for Rosh Hashanah is — the “Day of Judgement”. There is a unique mitzvah (good deed) directly correlated to Rosh Hashanah in most all the synagogues of the world: To hear the blowing of the shofar, a simple ram’s horn. After the Torah reading during services, 30 blasts of the shofar are sounded in a prescribed pattern. Later come another 70 blasts for a total of 100. The shofar is blown on both days of Rosh Hashanah. During these days every moment should be filled with good thoughts, words, and deeds.
The custom of dipping Challah (bread) and/or apple slices in honey became symbolic of our confidence of a “sweet judgement”. The following prayer is recited on the first evening after eating the first piece of challah and the honey coated apple slices:
“May it be Your will to renew for us a good and sweet year”.
You can find much more information about traditional Jewish observances and meanings related to the Holydays at the helpful Web site Judaism 101. If you scroll down the table of contents you will see an extensive section on this subject.
For those interested in trying a traditional Jewish Menu for Rosh HaShanah here are some suggestions:
Honey cake, honeyed chicken, sweet potato and carrot casserole, and dough balls made from eggs, butter (or margarine), sugar, flour, baking powder and chopped nuts mixed together with honey syrup and baked, salads with a honey/mustard or honey/lime dressing\
Classic Honey Cake 3 eggs; 1 1/3 cups honey; 1 1/2 cups sugar; 1 cup strong black coffee; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 3 tablespoons butter/margarine, softened; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 4 cups flour; 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Grease and flour a 9×13-inch cake pan.
In a large mixer bowl, beat eggs and honey together. Add sugar and mix again. Mix coffee with baking powder and then add butter or margarine to the egg mixture. Add baking soda, flour, and cinnamon and beat well together.
Pour into a greased 9×13 cake pan. Bake for 55 minutes to an hour.
In subsequent posts we will discuss Yom Kippur and the traditions and mandates associated with this most solemn of holidays.
Rebecca Buntyn