On October 3 and 4 (Tishrei 1 and 2 according to the Jewish calendar), Jews around the world celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the holiday of the beginning of the new year. This year, the Jewish community celebrates the beginning of the 5785th year since the creation of the world.
The origins of Rosh Hashanah come from biblical times; the Torah calls these days “the days of holy gatherings.” On these days, believers try to do good deeds, go to the synagogue to listen to the sound of the shofar, which is addressed to the human conscience, and pray, atoning for sins. Jews believe that on these days G-d watches all people especially carefully and judges them according to their deeds. On Rosh Hashanah, the fate of each person is determined in heaven. At this time, it is decided what the next year will be: success and honor await someone, and sorrow awaits someone. G-d gives judgment based on how she spent the previous year.
During the celebration, pomegranates and apples with honey are eaten, symbolizing a sweet New Year.
There is another ritual associated with the Jewish New Year. It is called taslich and symbolizes salvation from the sins of the year. Believers gather on the shore of some reservoir, read prayers and shake crumbs from their pockets into the water, as if feeding their sins to fish.
On the holiday, gifts are given to loved ones, letters and postcards are sent to those who are far away.
On Rosh Hashanah, many Hasidic pilgrims from different parts of the world come to Uman to the grave of Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman. It is said that in the last year of his life Rabbi Nachman gathered all his disciples together to celebrate this day. His followers consider this a testament and a call to gather at the Master's grave. They believe that Rabbi Nachman will personally plead before the Almighty for the participants of the joint prayer.
This year, despite the danger, more than 50 thousand Hasidic pilgrims are expected in Uman. To ensure public order, police officers from Israel have already arrived in the city, and the Ukrainian police is recruiting horsemen to patrol places where cars cannot be driven. Divers of the State Emergency Service carry out an examination and cleaning of the bottom of the reservoir, which is used by parishioners during religious ceremonies. Additional temporary shelters were created, and anti-aircraft defenses were engaged.
Friends, we congratulate everyone on the holiday of Rosh Hashanah and wish you sweet honey, good health, peace and prosperity.
May all your sins and dark thoughts fall like breadcrumbs into the pond for food for fish, may your faith be strengthened, and your heart become kinder.
May we be worthy of a good year!
לשנה טובה תכתב ותחתם