Rosh Hashanah History & Meaning Fact Sheet for Kids

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🌟 What Is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah (רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה) means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew.

It is the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is a special time to remember HaShem, give thanks, think about our choices, and look forward to a new year.

It is also the beginning of a special season of reflection and repentance that leads toward Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

📖 Where Does Rosh Hashanah Come From?

Rosh Hashanah has its roots in the Torah.

In Leviticus 23:23–25, HaShem tells Israel that the first day of the seventh month is to be a special day of rest and remembrance, marked by the blowing of shofars.

Numbers 29:1 also describes this day as a sacred gathering and a day when the shofar is sounded.

The Torah calls the day Yom Teruah, meaning a Day of Shouting/Blasting, while the traditional Jewish name Rosh Hashanah means “Head of the Year.”

📯 Why Do We Blow the Shofar?

The shofar is usually made from a ram's horn.

Its powerful sound reminds us to:

📯 Wake up spiritually.
❤️ Think about how we have treated others.
🙏 Turn back toward HaShem.
🤝 Make peace when we have hurt someone.
🌱 Make better choices in the coming year.
👑 Remember that HaShem is King.

The shofar is like a spiritual wake-up call:

“Wake up! Pay attention! A new year is beginning!”

🍎🍯 Why Do We Eat Apples and Honey?

One of the best-known Rosh Hashanah traditions is eating apples dipped in honey.

The sweet honey represents the hope for a sweet and good year ahead.

When we eat apples and honey, we can remember to thank HaShem for His blessings and pray for a year filled with goodness, peace, wisdom, and joy.

🍎🍯 Kid's Reminder:

“May the new year be sweet!”

🌱 What Does Rosh Hashanah Teach Us?

Rosh Hashanah encourages us to stop and think about the year that has passed.

We can ask ourselves:

Did I show kindness?

Did I tell the truth?

Did I forgive others?

Did I help someone who needed me?

Did I remember HaShem?

What can I do better this year?

Rosh Hashanah teaches us that making mistakes does not mean we have to keep making the same mistakes.

We can turn around, make things right, and begin again.

❤️ Teshuvah: Turning Back

A very important idea during this season is teshuvah (תשובה).

Teshuvah can mean “return” or “turning back.”

It reminds us that when we have done something wrong, we can turn back toward HaShem and seek to make things right.

Teshuvah includes:

Recognizing what we did wrong.
Saying we're sorry.
Asking forgiveness.
Making things right when possible.
Trying not to repeat the mistake.

🌱 Remember:

A new year is an opportunity to grow.

📖 Important Bible Passages

📯 Leviticus 23:24–25

The first day of the seventh month is a sacred day of rest and remembrance, marked by the sounding of shofars.

📯 Numbers 29:1

The day is described as a sacred gathering when the shofar is sounded.

❤️ Psalm 98:6

“Make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.”

🌱 Ezekiel 18:30

“Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions.”

These passages help us understand themes of remembrance, turning back to HaShem, worship, and listening to the call of the shofar.

🍯 Rosh Hashanah Traditions

📯 Hear the Shofar

Listen carefully to the shofar blasts and think about what HaShem may be teaching you.

🍎 Eat Apples and Honey

Enjoy this sweet tradition as a symbol of hope for a sweet year.

🕯️ Light Holiday Candles

Families may light candles to welcome the holy day.

🙏 Pray

Spend time thanking HaShem and asking for wisdom and guidance.

📖 Read Scripture

Read passages from the Tanakh and reflect on God's faithfulness.

🤝 Make Peace

If you have hurt someone's feelings, consider how you can apologize and make things right.

🍞 Share a Holiday Meal

Families and friends gather together for special meals and fellowship.

🌊 Tashlich

Some Jewish communities practice Tashlich, a tradition of going near flowing water and symbolically casting away crumbs while reflecting on repentance.

👑 What Does “New Year” Mean?

Rosh Hashanah isn't simply about saying:

“Happy New Year!”

It is also an invitation to ask:

“How will I live differently this year?”

A new year gives us an opportunity to:

🌱 Grow in wisdom
❤️ Become more loving
🤝 Forgive others
🙏 Draw closer to HaShem
📖 Learn God's Word
🕊️ Pursue peace
✨ Become the person God wants us to be

🧒 How Can Kids Celebrate Rosh Hashanah?

You can participate too!

Your Rosh Hashanah Challenge:

☐ Listen to the shofar.

☐ Thank HaShem for three blessings.

☐ Eat apples and honey.

☐ Say something kind to someone.

☐ Apologize if you have hurt someone.

☐ Forgive someone who has hurt you.

☐ Read a Bible passage with your family.

☐ Pray for the coming year.

☐ Think of one good habit you want to develop.

☐ Do one act of kindness.

💬 How Can I Explain Rosh Hashanah to a Friend?

You can say:

“Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. It is a special time to remember HaShem, hear the shofar, reflect on our lives, turn away from wrongdoing, and look forward to a new year. We eat special foods such as apples and honey to celebrate the hope for a sweet year.”

That's a great way to explain it!