When and How Rosh Hashanah 2025 Begins
On the evening of September 22, 2025, Jewish families worldwide will welcome the first day of Tishrei, the month that launches the Hebrew year 5786. The holiday starts at sundown, following the ancient rule that a new day begins with the sunset, and it runs through the night of September 24. Because the two‑day span often lands on a Saturday, worshippers must adjust the shofar service if the second day coincides with Shabbat, but the core rituals stay the same.
The calendar marks this period as the "birthday of the world"—not the day God formed the universe, but the day He created Adam and Eve. In Jewish thought, that moment symbolizes humanity's entry into the divine story, making the holiday a universal reminder of new beginnings.
Traditions that Mark the Jewish New Year
Every morning of Rosh Hashanah, congregants gather in synagogues to hear the shofar’s piercing call. The ram’s horn, sounded in a series of specific notes, is meant to awaken the soul, draw attention to repentance, and publicly declare God’s sovereignty. When the holiday falls on Shabbat, the second day’s shofar is omitted, but the symbolism remains intact.
Evening candle lighting adds a gentle glow to homes and prayer halls. Two candles are lit, often accompanied by a short blessing that invites divine presence and peace for the coming year. The flame’s steady light sets a tone of reverence for the days of introspection ahead.
Food plays a starring role. Traditional meals are filled with symbolic dishes, each chosen to whisper a wish for the year to come:
- Round challah, often braided with raisins, represents the cyclical nature of life and the hope for a complete, unbroken year.
- Apples dipped in honey, the classic sweet combo, expresses the desire for a sweet and pleasant year.
- Fish heads or roasted heads are sometimes served to symbolize that the coming year’s “head” should be better than the last.
- Carrots, cut into round slices, echo the roundness of the challah and convey wishes for increase and prosperity.
Beyond the table, participants refrain from creative work, known as "melacha," throughout the two days. This pause mirrors the solemn atmosphere of the High Holidays and focuses attention on prayer, study, and self‑examination.
Rosh Hashanah launches the Ten Days of Awe (Yamim Nora’im), a period of intensified reflection that culminates in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. During this span, Jews engage in teshuvah (repentance), seek forgiveness, and commit to personal growth. The mood is both hopeful and serious—hopeful because a fresh year begins, serious because each individual is called to account for the past twelve months.
While the holiday is rooted in Jewish law and tradition, its message stretches beyond the community. In a 1953 letter, the Lubavitcher Rebbe highlighted that the anniversary of creation is a universal marker—not just for Jews but for all humanity. He argued that celebrating the sixth day of creation, when humans were made, underscores a shared call to better the world.
Synagogues around the globe prepare by dusting off the special High Holiday prayer books, polishing shofars, and arranging festive meals. Whether a lifelong member or a curious visitor, anyone stepping into the services experiences a blend of ancient ritual and contemporary yearning for renewal. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation, as each blow of the shofar and each sip of honeyed wine carries the promise of a sweet, hopeful year ahead.
