Rosh Hashanah 2026: Dates, Traditions, and Observances Explained

The Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah in 2026 will commence on the evening of Friday, September 11, and conclude on the evening of Sunday, September 13. This marks the beginning of the year 5787 according to the Hebrew calendar, falling on the first and second days of the month of Tishrei. In Israel, Rosh Hashanah signifies more than just the start of a new year; it initiates the Ten Days of Repentance, culminating in Yom Kippur. Consequently, the holiday is associated with reflection, prayer, and hopes for a prosperous year, alongside festive meals and greetings.

Jewish holidays begin at sunset, meaning the first evening of Rosh Hashanah is Friday, September 11. As this coincides with the start of Shabbat, Shabbat and holiday candles will be lit before sunset. The second day begins after Shabbat ends on Saturday evening, September 12. Candles for the second day can only be lit after nightfall, using an existing flame. The holiday concludes on Sunday, September 13, with specific end times varying by city: 7:24 PM in Jerusalem and Eilat, and 7:26 PM in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Be'er Sheva.

A notable aspect of Rosh Hashanah in 2026 is that its first day falls on Shabbat. This means the commandment to hear the sounding of the shofar, a ram's horn, will be observed on the second day, Sunday, September 13. The shofar's sound serves as a call to introspection, repentance, and renewal. The traditional service includes three distinct sounds: the long 'tekiyah,' the broken 'shvarim,' and the short, staccato 'truah.' Another unique observance this year is the 'Tashlikh' ceremony, a symbolic ritual of casting away sins by a body of water. Typically performed on the first day, it will be observed on the second day, Sunday, September 13, due to the first day coinciding with Shabbat.

The festive meal typically begins with Kiddush over wine or grape juice. A traditional challah, often round to symbolize the cyclical nature of the year, is dipped in honey instead of salt, signifying a wish for a sweet year. This is followed by 'simanim,' symbolic foods meant to bring blessings. Common simanim include apples with honey, pomegranates, and fish heads. Apples and honey represent a wish for a good and sweet year. Pomegranates symbolize the hope for abundant good deeds, while fish heads represent the aspiration to lead and make decisions. Other simanim like dates and beets are associated with wishes for the removal of enemies or troubles, and carrots, whose Yiddish name sounds like 'to multiply,' symbolize prosperity. The specific simanim vary by family and community tradition.

While the meaning of simanim is primarily religious and cultural, some foods have nutritional value. Apples provide fiber and polyphenols, and pomegranates have antioxidants. However, their symbolic significance, not their medicinal properties, is central to the holiday. Health recommendations for families with young children include avoiding honey for infants under one, whole pomegranate seeds for children under five due to choking hazards, and ensuring fish is deboned. Dates should also be pitted and cut into small pieces.

Common greetings include 'Shana Tova u'Metukah' (a good and sweet year) or the more traditional 'Leshana Tova tikatev v'tichatem' (may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year). Synagogues conduct special prayers and Torah readings, fostering an atmosphere of reflection and spiritual seriousness. The holiday meal is a significant family gathering, reinforcing traditions and well wishes for health, prosperity, and peace.