The History and Meaning of "Rosh Hashanah" - Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashanah, although widely translated as 'new year', literally means 'head of the year'. It commemorates the biblical creation of Adam and Eve - the first man and woman. It thus acquires a very special significance, for while Judaism recognizes G-d as the creator, in traditional Jewish theology the story does not end there, and it is G-d who is dependent on man and woman to make the physical realm - the world - a place where good is done.
The Mishnah, the Hebrew commentaries on the Torah, refer to Rosh Hashanah as a "day of judgment", setting forth that on this day a heavenly accounting is opened, with three books of account where the fates of the righteous, the wicked, and those in between are entered. While the fate of the righteous is immediately sealed as a year of life, and the wicked are expunged, those in between are afforded a further ten days, until 'Yom Kippur', to repent, and be inscribed in the book of life.
In Jewish liturgy, although G-d is recognized as the King, as far back as Abraham and Moses it was recognized that the King can be pleaded with and persuaded, if not to undergo a change of mind, at least to temper justice with mercy.
The 'shofar' - the ram's horn -is sounded a symbolic 100 times on Rosh Hashanah, it's sound a cry-like call to repentance, and the ram's horn itself an iconic remembrance evoking the story of the binding of Isaac, where a sacrificial ram took the place of Isaac as an offering to G-d. The faith of Abraham transcends simple rote belief, and has beguiled even contemporary existential philosophy as set out in Kierkegaard's compelling story of 'Fear and Trembling'. On Rosh Hashana the merit of Abraham is called upon as penitents attempt to 'argue' their case to be inscribed in the Book of Life.
Contemporary Hollywood celebrities, Madonna among them, have shed a passing 'celebrity' spotlight on the ancient Judaic study of 'Kabbalah, which sometimes acquires a simplistic veneer. But classic Kaballah posits that the continued existence of the universe itself is, in a sense, symbiotic, with the renewal of the divine desire for the continuation of the world dependent on an earthly acceptance of G-d's kingship each year on Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashana Customary Greetings
The traditional greeting is 'Shana Tovah' - a good year, often with the inclusion of "shana tovah U'metukah" - a good and sweet year. An extended greeting is 'Leshana Tovah Tichateyvuh V'Tichateymu' - literally may you 'be written and and sealed for a good year', cognizant of the ten days of repentance following Rosh Hashana, and culminating on the day of judgment, Yom Kippur.
The Tradition of Rosh Hashana Cards - Greeting Cards for the Jewish New Year
The custom of sending cards with written greetings, to be received on Rosh Hashana and the during the ensuing ten days, came to be traditional.
This sending of 'Rosh Hashana cards' - Jewish New Year cards - is a custom which is today enjoying a resurgence. At a time of instant and transitory communication via email and instant messaging, the sending of a traditional paper greeting has enjoyed a renaissance - showing special care and attention beyond the everyday and commonplace.
When is it appropriate to send Rosh Hashanah Cards (Jewish New Year Cards)?
It is customary for Rosh Hashanah cards to be received either just before Rosh Hashanah (which this year is September 28th), OR during the ten days after Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) culminating in Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) which this year is Oct 7-8, 2011.
The Jerusalem Collection
The Jerusalem Collection began as an archive of historic images of Jerusalem. The world-wide web made it possible to make reproductions of these historic images affordably available to a world-wide audience.
To the collection were added Jewish New Years cards, fully personalized, and highly affordable, which have developed a world-wide audience, and are now shipped around the world, going promptly from custom greeting to a card which is printed and shipped.
The Jerusalem Collection Rosh Hashana Cards now encompasses four distinct collections:
The Classic Jerusalem Collection- historic archival images of Jerusalem, combined with contemporary images of Israel, and classic and contemporary Judaic images
The Modern Collection - modern designs based on contemporary Judaic and Rosh Hashanah themes, including the Tree of Life, the Doves of Peace, the Star of David, and others, reflecting contemporary design and modern Hebrew typography
The Traditional Collection - evocative images of traditional and European Judaic culture, Rosh Hashanah customs like Tashlich, and Chassidic Judaism
The Rembrandt Collection - based on paintings by Rembrandt van Rijn of biblical scenes and themes, including the binding of Isaac particularly germane to Rosh Hashana, as well as the patriarchs Jacob and Joseph, King Saul and King David, the prophet Jeremiah, the biblical hero Sampson, King Uzziah, and the famous scene of Balthazar's Feast from which the phrase the handwriting is on the wall became famous.
The Modern Collection also includes the Star of David series greeting cards and note cards, ideal for use year-round as personalized greeting and note-cards, gift-enclosure cards, and sympathy cards, and similarly the Rembrandt Collection is suitable for use year-round, including a touching painting by Rembrandt entitled 'the circumcision".
Also Available from the Jerusalem Collection:
The Jerusalem Collection also features panoramic pictures of Jerusalem, contemporary pictures of Israel and Jerusalem suitable for display and framing, pictures of European synagogues and Jewish shtetl life, similarly suitable for framing.
For Hanukkah and unique Hanukkah gifts, special Hannukah and Maccabee themed Hanukkah tshirts (t-shirts featuring Judah Maccabbee, dreidels, and latkes), mugs, and even puzzles are available, as well as a series of Hannukah aprons designed for mothers and daughters baking the Channukah festive potato pancake treats of latkes and special doughnuts known as 'sugvaniot". Special gifts for grandparents include World's Best Zaydah and World's Best Bubba mugs and certificates featuring the sentiment in a variety of languages including English, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Russian.
And a year-round favorite on the JerusalemCollection.com site is the art print of Solomon's Song of Songs, featuring 'Dodi Li V'Ani Lo' - 'My Beloved is Mine and I am My Beloved's' in art print poster form, tshirt, and mug, in both English and biblical Hebrew, particularly popular as a gift for newlyweds.