Rosh Hashanah 2026

Halachic Framework

As a biblical festival (Yom Tov), Rosh Hashanah carries obligations similar to Shabbat, with a few permit exceptions:

• Work restrictions: Creative labor (melachah) is prohibited. Cooking and carrying for food preparation are permitted (ochel nefesh), so meals may be prepared on the festival itself.
• Prayer additions: Hallel is recited during the morning service, the Musaf sacrifice is memorialized in the Additional Prayer, and Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted into the Amidah and Grace After Meals.
• Yizkor: The memorial prayer for departed parents is recited in Diaspora communities (and in many Israeli ones) on the final day.
• Kiddush & candles: Festival candles are lit before sunset on the eve, and Kiddush is recited both nights.

Customs & Observances

• Blowing the shofar — 100 blasts during the day
• Festive meals with symbolic foods: apples dipped in honey, pomegranate, fish head
• Tashlich — casting sins into a body of water
• Greeting others with "Shanah Tovah" and "Ketivah v'Chatimah Tovah"

Greetings & Blessings for Rosh Hashanah

Traditional greetings used before, during, and after Rosh Hashanah:

• Shanah Tovah — "A good year"
• L'Shanah Tovah Tikateivu V'teichateimu — "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year"
• Ketivah V'Chatimah Tovah — "May you be written and sealed for good"
• Chag Sameach — "A joyous holiday"

בעברית:

• שנה טובה — ברכה לראש השנה
• לשנה טובה תכתבו ותחתמו — ברכה מסורתית
• כתיבה וחתימה טובה — לקראת יום הדין
• חג שמח

About Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is observed on the 1st and 2nd of Tishrei. It marks the Day of Judgment when all humanity is judged, and begins the Ten Days of Repentance culminating in Yom Kippur.

Also known as: Rosh Hashana, Jewish New Year

Jewish holidays begin at sunset on the evening before the date shown and conclude at nightfall (when three medium stars are visible) on the final day. In the Diaspora, major Torah festivals are observed for two days (Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot), while in Israel they are observed for one day.

Candle Lighting Times for Rosh Hashanah 2026

Festival candles are lit on the evening of Friday, September 11, 2026 before sunset. Times for six major communities:

Candle-lighting is calculated as sunset minus each community's customary offset (Jerusalem 40 minutes; most other communities 18). If a festival eve falls on a weekday, the times above are exact; use the weekly schedule links for surrounding dates.