Happy New Year

The New Year – 5770 on the Jewish calendar – begins this evening at sundown. Known as Rosh Ha-Shannah, the new year commemorates God’s creation of the world. Specifically it’s the anniversary of the creation of man and woman.

The most important part of the holiday is to listen to the blowing of the shofar – a hollowed-out ram’s horn. The sound of the shofar reminds us to return to God or, in secular terms, to pay attention to what’s important in life.

Those of you familiar with your bible will have read about shofars, translated as “trumpets,” such as the trumpets that knocked down the walls of Jericho or the great trumpet that will usher in the end of days.

If you're wondering what that will sound like, and what Rosh Ha-Shannah sounds like every year, have a listen here.

Shana tova! A good year to one and all.