Lechaim, Salud, Cheers to New Beginnings
Happy Jewish New Year! Happy Rosh Hashanah!
Rosh Hashanah is considered the universe’s birthday, the day Adam & Eve were created, Therefore, it’s one of the most important festivities in the Jewish religion. It’s celebrated very soon, so we decided to dedicate a blog post for such a special holiday focusing on its main messages.
Rosh Hashanah actually means “head of the year” and just like the head controls the body, our actions on this special time, have a tremendous impact on the rest of the year. Many Americans use the New Year as a time to reflect and plan a better life, making "resolutions." Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year.
* This pomegranate is decorated with our signature Gold Crown Ring. Get it here >>
This festivity and the one coming after, called Yom Kipur, are holidays which are meant for reflection and introspection. Although humans should deal with this kind of matters throughout the year, the holidays give you the perfect opportunity to stop and think of what you’ve done right and wrong during the year. What would you want to improve and from who do you need to ask for forgiveness. This way, one should start the new year hoping to be a better person with a set of goals and a purpose in life.
The word shanah, which means year, also has the definition of ‘shinuy’ which is translated into change. Therefore, Rosh Hashanah is also the beginning of adjustment in our lives, where we look to better ourselves for the coming year. This decision to change serves as the perfect opportunity for growth in every aspect of our lives. “There is no renewal without change and there is no change without renewal.”
During Rosh Hashanah, we bless each other to have a sweet good year. This expression was created many years ago in a time where there was almost no sugar and sweets were considered a rare delicacy. Nowadays, Jewish people have the custom to dip apples in honey as a symbol for it. We also eat pomegranates referring to a year full of many blessings like a number of seeds it contains. Additionally, Jewish people eat a fish’s head during this holiday, symbolizing how we should always strive to be the head and not the tail. It’s a symbol of our personal aspirations to lead in every aspect of our lives, personal or professional.
Why are we telling you all that? We believe the concept of the Jewish new year’s is universal and everyone can learn from it, to appreciate how far they’ve come in their life. Then, to take the time to determine what’re the next steps for a better life. And finally, try to reach a state of acceptance within yourself to be able to realize that your past can serve as a motivation for an improved future.
We wish you the sweetest year of all, surrounded by the people you love the most! Chag Sameach.
