Every year, Jews around the world gather for an important holiday – Rosh Hashanah (New Year, literally – “Head of the Year”). It is celebrated on the first and second days of the month of Tishrei according to the Jewish calendar. This year it falls on September 23–24. The holiday has a symbolic meaning – the proclamation of the kingdom of G-d over the whole world. The fates of all people are described in the Books of Life and are sealed with a special seal that decides the next year in advance. Some people expect wealth and prosperity, others – failures and illnesses; it all depends on how a person spent the previous year.
On holidays, one should listen to the sound of the shofar (a special musical instrument), which symbolizes the coronation of the Creator as the Lord of the Universe, summons to G-d's Judgment and calls for repentance. A person should mentally look back on the past year, remember their mistakes and analyze their actions.
Rosh Hashanah is not a holiday in the usual sense of the world. Delicious food and elegant clothes symbolize not gaiety, but hope in the mercy of G-d, who loves his children and desires their justification at the Judgment. These days are distinguished by a special atmosphere of holiness, seriousness and anxiety.
On the eve of the first day, festive candles are lit before sunset, while reciting blessings. During the holiday itself, it is not recommended to have fun, smoke, or sleep during the day. It is worth devoting more time to prayer, studying the Torah, and reading the Psalms.
According to Jewish tradition, 10 days of prayer and repentance (“Days of Awe”) separate the holiday of Rosh Hashanah from Yom Kippur (Doomsday) – during this time, a decision is made in heaven: who will live and who will die. Obligatory prayers on these special days are supposed to influence the decision of the Almighty.
In Ukraine, the holiday is widely known thanks to the pilgrimage to the grave of Tzadik Nachman (Uman). In the last year of his life, the founder of the Bratslav Hasidism movement called on all followers to celebrate the holiday with him. His students interpreted this as a call to visit the grave of their teacher.
This year, despite the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, thousands of Hasidim have already arrived in Uman to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. However, Ukrainian Jewish believers mostly celebrate the holiday at home and visit the synagogue for joint prayer.
The Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” joins in the congratulations and wishes you health, prosperity, cheerfulness and comfort. May the coming year bring only joy and Peace!