| Hi, everybody! Do you know how people in Israel celebrate New Year's Day? In this lesson, you'll learn some important phrases about the Israeli New Year and some valuable cultural tips. |
| In Hebrew, New Year's day is called... |
| שנה טובה |
| [slowly] שנה טובה |
| On שנה טובה, Israeli people greet each other by saying ראש השנה |
| (slow) ראש השנה |
| This means "Happy New Year." |
| When you meet someone for the first time in the new year, be sure to greet them with this phrase. |
| In Israel, New Year's day also has a nickname. |
| יום דין |
| (slow) יום דין |
| This means the "Day of Judgement." |
| The Jewish New Year is considered to be a Day of Judgement. On this day, people are judged on what they did the previous year, and then they predict what will happen in the coming year. The custom most associated with the festival is the shofar. Between holiday prayers, the shofar is blown loudly. The shofar is made from a ram's horn, and the noise it makes, which sounds like crying, opens the heart and reminds people how important this day really is. |
| In Israel, people do not celebrate New Year's day on the same day that many countries do. This holiday is called... |
| תשליך |
| (slow) תשליך |
| This means "a prayer recited on Rosh Hashana." |
| Israel uses a Hebrew calendar alongside the Gregorian calendar that is used by most other countries. The Hebrew year begins on the first of Tishrei, and on that day people celebrate Rosh HaShanah—the holiday marking the beginning of the New Year. This date differs each year as it does not match exactly with the Gregorian calendar. |
| Let's wrap up this lesson by recapping what you've learned. Listen to the expression and repeat after me. |
| "New Year's Day" |
| שנה טובה |
| * beep |
| שנה טובה |
| "Happy New Year!" |
| ראש השנה |
| * beep |
| ראש השנה |
| "Day of Judgement" |
| יום דין |
| * beep |
| יום דין |
| "a prayer recited on Rosh Hashana" |
| תשליך |
| * beep |
| תשליך |
| Well done! [pause] Here's a fun fact! |
| Do you know why it is customary to eat apples and honey on Rosh HaShanah? |
| On Rosh HaShanah, it is customary to dip slices of apple, or תפוח (tapuaħ) in honey and greet each other by saying, “that we shall be renewed with a good and sweet year" or in Hebrew שתתחדש עלינו שנה טובה ומתוקה (she-titħadesh alenu shana tova u-metuka). So, in other words, we are asking that the following year will be as good as the sweet taste of apples and honey. |
| You just learned how Hebrew people celebrate "New Year's Day" and some important facts about the holiday. |
| And if you want to learn Hebrew twice as fast, just click the link in the description and download tons of PDF lessons for FREE! |
| I'll see you next time. Toda raba! |
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