Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah this week

Jews all over the world will be celebrating Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New Year this week, Jewish News One reports.

Stores in Israel sell honey and various gifts that people can bring to their families. Dipping the apple in the honey is a custom that expresses hope for a sweet and new year.

The tradition also demands that Jews do some soul-searching, introspection, and to see how they can improve their life. Jewish News One spoke with people on the streets of Jerusalem to find out what Israelis had to say about the holiday (see video embedded below).  Most viewed it as a time of spiritual reflection, but one viewed it as a time off work to spend with family.

The Rabbis say blowing the shofar or ram's horn on Rosh Hashanah is supposed to bring people to repentance and also to serve as a reminder of  the story of the binding of Isaac, when Abraham was instructed by God to sacrifice his son Isaac.  Abraham's devotion and loyalty and submission to God has become a lesson for Jewish generations.

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D. Beeksma

One of the growing crowd of American "nones" herself, Deborah is a prolific writer who finds religion, spirituality and the impact of belief (and non-belief) on culture inspiring, fascinating and at times, disturbing. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work. Her education and background is in business, ecommerce and law.

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