Shanah Tovah and a Happy 5786!
Today is the first day of Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year—which began at sunset last night. The modern holiday is celebrated for two nights, after which comes a period of reflection and repentance before Yom Kippur—the solemn Day of Atonement (the holiest day of the Jewish calendar).
The name Rosh Hashanah is translated as "head of the year," that is, the New Year. The celebration marks the beginning of the civil year and it is also the traditional anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.
Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with many traditional practices. The blowing of the Shofar, the ram's horn "bugle," is biblically mandated; it is also a "wake-up call" to the faithful—a reminder to reflect, repent, and remember the Creator. And certain foods provide customary symbolism: apples dipped in honey (for a sweet year), round challah bread (symbolic of the cycle of the year), and carrot rounds (reminiscent of golden coins—an auspicious food for a year of prosperity).
Rosh Hashanah is a national holiday in two countries: Israel and Ukraine (which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed into law in 2020).
The Modernist bronze menorah, shown above, is actually for Hanukkah, not Rosh Hashanah. But, let's not forget, Hanukkah is only 82 days away! Perhaps it's time to start one's holiday shopping. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome item.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.