rosh hashanah
lowformal, religious
Definition
Meaning
The Jewish New Year, marking the beginning of the High Holy Days.
A two-day religious festival involving prayer, sounding the shofar, and symbolic foods, focused on repentance and reflection before Yom Kippur.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used as a proper noun, sometimes written with initial capitals. The term literally means 'head of the year' in Hebrew.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant linguistic differences. Usage is identical in both varieties, determined by Jewish community practices rather than regional English.
Connotations
Primarily religious/cultural. No political or social connotations differ between regions.
Frequency
Frequency is tied to Jewish population density. In cities with larger Jewish communities, the term is more widely recognised and used in public discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] celebrates Rosh Hashanah.Rosh Hashanah falls on [date].We wish you [greeting] for Rosh Hashanah.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Head of the year (literal translation)”
- “Sweet New Year (common greeting/wish)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in HR contexts for holiday policies and inclusive greetings.
Academic
Used in religious, historical, or cultural studies.
Everyday
Used in greetings, discussions of holiday plans, and interfaith contexts.
Technical
Used in religious texts, interfaith calendars, and liturgical discussions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The Rosh Hashanah meal is central to the celebration.
- They attended a Rosh Hashanah service at the synagogue.
American English
- We're planning our Rosh Hashanah menu.
- He gave a Rosh Hashanah sermon.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish holiday.
- We eat apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah.
- My friend celebrates Rosh Hashanah in September this year.
- The family gathers for a special dinner on Rosh Hashanah.
- Unlike the secular New Year, Rosh Hashanah is a solemn period of introspection and repentance.
- The date of Rosh Hashanah varies annually because it follows the Hebrew lunar calendar.
- The liturgy of Rosh Hashanah centres on the themes of divine sovereignty, remembrance, and the sounding of the shofar.
- In many communities, the practice of Tashlich, symbolically casting away sins into a body of water, is performed during Rosh Hashanah.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Link 'Rosh' to 'head' (as in the head of the year) and 'Hashanah' to 'shanah' (year). Think: 'The head/beginning of the year.'
Conceptual Metaphor
NEW BEGINNING IS A FRESH START; SOLEMNITY IS HEAVINESS; JUDGMENT IS WEIGHING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'еврейский новый год' in formal English contexts; use 'Rosh Hashanah'.
- Avoid using the direct translation 'Голова года' which would be incorrect and confusing.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'Rosh Hashanah's' (awkward possessive; better: 'the traditions of Rosh Hashanah').
- Incorrect: 'on Rosh Hashanah' for the entire period; often 'for/at/during Rosh Hashanah' is more natural.
- Incorrect: Using lowercase 'rosh hashanah' in formal writing where capitalisation is expected.
Practice
Quiz
What is the literal meaning of 'Rosh Hashanah'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Rosh Hashanah falls in the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which usually corresponds to September or early October on the Gregorian calendar, but the exact date varies each year.
Rosh Hashanah is observed for two days by most Jews, including those in Israel (though historically Reform Judaism observed only one day).
The shofar is a ram's horn that is blown during Rosh Hashanah services as a spiritual wake-up call and a central commandment of the holiday.
Common greetings are 'Shanah Tovah' (meaning 'Good Year') or 'L'shanah tovah tikatevu' ('May you be inscribed for a good year'). In English, 'Happy New Year' or 'Happy Rosh Hashanah' are also used.