Rosh Hashana --Traditions, Rituals, Customs By I. M. GREEN (Copyright 1967, JTA Inc.) The literal Hebrew meaning of the words "Rosh Hashana" is "head of the year," which in our parlance means "Beginning of the Year," or more familiarly "New Year's Day." It is a two-day holiday for Orthodox and Conservative Jews all over the world, even in Israel where unlike the lands of the Dia- spora, all other holidays are ob- served for one day, instead of two days. Reform Jews observe Rosh Hashana for one day only. The curious thing about Rosh Hashana chronology is that, while the holiday is listed as the first and second days of the month of Tishre, Tishre is listed in the Jew- ish religious calendar as the sev- New Year's Greetings To Our Friends and Customers GERHARDT'S - MEAT MARKET The home of home-made German Style Sausages. Finest Quality Meals. 9930 Wyoming WE 3-0602 GREETINGS PASTOR COMPANY "Michigan's Most Complete Cleaners"—Free Estimates 19971 JAS. COUZENS 342-4300 ........—..—.-.—.........................— 1 ■ INNO.M•114•• ■■ ••••• Happy New Year to Our Friends and Patrons RAY'S BRIDAL SALON Gowns for All Occasions 10909 Grand River WE 3-4636 1 530 Woodawrd WO 5-0922 enth, rather than the first, month of the year—the first month being regarded as Nisan (spring). Nevertheless, the reference to the ingathering "at the end of the year" in Exodus has been accept- ed as an indication that the Jews early regarded the year as begin- ning in autumn. When the first day of the month of Tishre was first recognized as the New Year is not clear, but we do know that, in the 6th Century, that day was regularly observed as the New Year. Up to the period of the destruction of the Second Tem- ple, it was observed only one day, and afterwards extended to two. Rosh Hashana, as is generally known by Jews, commences the Ten Days of Penitence (Aseret Y'mai Teshuva, in the original Hebrew), which end on Yom Kip- ur, the Day of Atonement. In the rabbinic period, the holiday was already regarded as a Day of Judgment for the entire world when the fate of each man for the coming year is inscribed in the Book of Life, though peni- tence and prayer and charity dur- ing the coming week may obtain clemency for some on Yom Kip- ur, the final Day of Judgment. In fact, penitential prayers, called selihot, are recited from the first day of the month of Elul, the month that precedes Tishre. During the month too, both Ashkenazim and Sephardim blow the shofar, the ram's horn, every morning at the end of prayers. The shofar too is blown at the end of the Yom Kipur services. Besides the blowing of the Sho- far several times during the Rosh Hashana prayers, a ritual which is best known to the world, a new Jewish generation which is not Orthodox may find it interesting to become acquainted with some HAPPY NEW YEAR Holiday Greetings AUTO CITY GLASS CO. 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"thou wilt cast"), a custom observed on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashana (or the second, when the first day falls on Sabbath). During the "Tashlikh" service, prayers are recited near a stream or body of water, pre- ferably where there are fish sym- bolizing protection against the evil eye. Pockets are emptied of all contents, symbolizing the shaking off of sins. The prayers derive chiefly from Micah 7:10-20 ("Thou wilt cast their sins into the sea"). It is believed by scholars that the ritual originated in Germany dur- ing the 14th Century, possibly adopted from the non-Jewish en- vironment. Brady Truck Painting & Lettering Co. Our Specialty Truck Painting and Lettering 923-2210 3569 Superior Happy New Year to Our Friends and Patrons BIFFS GRILL Open to the Public 24 Hours 230 W. 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After a 1431 TIMES SQUARE, general introduction, it discusses the regulations concerning the Best Gottloeb and Sam Davis sanctification of the new moon, with particular reference to that of the seventh month (i.e., Rosh Hashana), the blowing of the sho- far on the occasion, and the spe- Holiday Greetings cial order of prayer. BERMAN'S CHOP HOUSE NEW YEAR GREETINGS BAGEL RESTAURANT & CATERERS Woodward Detroit and Vernor THE WALTER CARROLL COMPANY Painters - Decorators Since 1907 VI 3-1400 110 N. Waterman New Year Best Wishes CENTRAL SCRAP IRON & METAL CO. Dealer in All Kinds of Scrop and Metals Jack Levenson and Jack Ellish 17239 Swift Ave. at 6 Mile and Russell TW 2-8100 Holiday Good Wishes DEARBORN BEER DISTRIBUTORS Corling's Black Label 'Beer— Red Cop Ale — O'Keefe Beer and Ale 6031 Joy Rd., Detroit, Michigan 48204 TE 4-7170 Happy New Year To Our Friends and Patrons Delite Cleaners and Laundry IRV WEISS AND FAMILY UN 4-8772 UN 1-3024 10006 W. Seven Mile Rd. 12931 W. Seven Mile Rd. 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