Color of the day: Blue Incense of the day: Pine Color of the day: Blue Incense of the day: Pine Today is the Jewish New Year. The term Rosh Hashanah literally means "head of the year." It is a time for looking back at the mistakes and accomplishments of the past year and for making plans regarding the year to come. One magical custom of Rosh Hashanah is tashlikh or "casting off." Go to a river this afternoon and throw the contents of your pockets into the water, symbolically discarding negative influences from the old year. You may toss photos associated with a bad breakup, a key from a car you wrecked, etc. You can also load your pockets with bread to charge with all the old energy to be discarded. Another custom is to eat apples dipped in honey or bread with honey on it. The traditional Jewish bread challah is especially splendid with honey or honey butter! This represents the sweetness of the new year. |