The Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah is known and celebrated as the New Year's Day of the Jewish calendar. This holiday is the most solemn day of the Jewish year. The holiday is preceded by the month of Elul, during which Jews are supposed to begin a self-examination and repentance that lasts for ten days. In 2009, Rosh Hashanah runs from sundown September 18 until nightfall September 20. Days in the Hebrew calendar begin at sundown so Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on the last day of the month of Elul. Rosh Hashanah is the first and second days of the first month of Tishrei.
The holiday is characterized by the blowing of the shofar, a trumpet made from a ram's horn. The sound of the shofar is intended to awaken the listener from his or her "slumber" and alert them to the coming judgment.
The traditional greeting of Rosh Hashanah is "Shana Tova", which translates from the Hebrew as "A Good Year." No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah and much of the day is spent in synagogue. A traditional food associated with this holiday is apples dipped in honey, a symbol of the wish for a sweet new year.
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