Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset this year Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012.  

The first day of Rosh Hashanah is Monday, Sept. 17, 2012.
Torah Reading for the first day:   Genesis 21:1-34; Numbers 29:1-6; Haftorah:  1 Samuel 1:1-2:10

Second day of Rosh Hashanah:   Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Torah Reading for the second day:   Genesis 22:1-24; Numbers 29:1-6; Haftorah: Jeremiah 31:1-20

Traditions:
Round Challah filled with raisins - for a sweet new year.  The round loaf symbolizes the cycle of the year and the cycle of life and also represents the passing year.

Eat Pomegranites:   "May our good deeds  this year be as many as the seeds of this fruit."

Buy a new knife!    On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, we read that this is the day that the first circumcision was performed (on Isaac).   It is a reminder to return to G-d in repentance.  The first step of our sins being cut off.

On the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah, Abraham took a knife to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice.   The knife was used on the ram for the required blood sacrifice in place of Isaac - to remove the sins.

The ram is a metaphor for Messiah.  The word "Ram's Horn" -- "Yovel" is the same word for Jubilee.

So Isaac became the living sacrifice, an example of a holy life with the fire of Torah burning within.
By G-d providing the sacrifice of the ram caught in the tree, Isaac was set free ---Jubilee.

Thus, purchasing a new knife is a reminder to us to be a living sacrifice.