Rosh Hashanah, which means the head of the year or New Year is traditionally celebrated on both the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishre (September-October on the Juliann calendar). The primary purpose for observing Rosh Hashanah is that it marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Penitence, the time when Jews ask God for forgiveness for their sins. In addition, Rosh Hashanah has also traditionally been regarded as the first day of creation.

As is evident from the Bible, Rosh Hashanah has been observed since antiquity. Originally, however, the festival was observed for only one day. The reason why it is currently celebrated for two days results from the difficulty in determining when the new moon actually appeared.

The primary ritual performed on Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the shofar. According to the Mishnah, the shofar can be made from the horns of any animal except that of a cow. One of the reasons why the horn of a cow cannot be used is that it serves as a reminder of the statue of the golden calf which the Jews built at the base of Mount Sinai for the purposes of worship. Both the Bible and the Mishnah are very vague concerning why the shofar is blown on Rosh Hashanah. Scholars, however, have cited several reasons for this ritual. These include, for example, the belief that the shofar is used to mark the beginning of the Ten Days of Penitence and the idea that it is used to commemorate the destruction of the Temple (i.e. the armies which destroyed sounded trumpets).

On Rosh Hashanah, specific scriptures are read at the synagogue. On the first day Genesis 21 and the Haftarah Samuel 1:1-2:10 are read. On the second day, Genesis 21 and the Haftarah Jeremiah 31:2-20 are recited. The maftir on both days is Numbers 29:1-6.

There are many customs associated with Rosh Hashanah. following the Biblical tradition, a festive meal is held on the first and (except in the Reform tradition) second nights of Rosh Hashanah. During this festive meal, a piece of bread and apple are dipped in honey. This ritual symbolizes the hope that the upcoming year will be a sweet one. In addition, many Jews refrain from eating nuts on this holiday since it is believed that nuts cause phlegm, which makes it more difficult to recite the prayers. In addition, in Hebrew, "nut" has the same numerical value as does "sin." On the first afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, some Jews participate in a Tashlikh ceremony in which they go to a place where there is running water (a river or ocean) in order to recite the appropriate prayers. This tradition stems from the prophet Micah who stated that on Rosh Hashanah Jews should "cast their sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19). While it was not customary during ancient or medieval times, many Jews now send each other greeting cards on this holiday.

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