Jewish New Year 2026: Entry and Exit Times Plus Comprehensive Holiday Customs Guide

Rosh Hashanah 2026 (Hebrew year 5787) begins on the evening of Friday, September 11, 2026, and concludes at nightfall on Sunday, September 13, 2026. Entry and exit times for the holiday vary by city in Israel: Jerusalem marks the start at 18:15 and end at 19:25, Tel Aviv from 18:31 to 19:27, Haifa from 18:25 to 19:26, and Beersheba from 18:24 to 19:26. Israeli schools will observe a holiday break starting Monday, September 11, with classes resuming Monday, September 14, allowing four consecutive days off.

Rosh Hashanah holds deep spiritual significance in Jewish tradition, encompassing four main themes: the Day of Judgment, the coronation of God symbolized by the shofar blasts, the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance culminating in Yom Kippur, and the commemoration of the creation of the first human. Traditional customs include eating symbolic foods known as "simanim" on the holiday table, such as pomegranates (symbolizing mitzvot), apples dipped in honey (for a sweet year), beans, leeks, fish heads, carrots, beets, dates, pumpkins, and a new fruit to mark renewal.

Preparations for the holiday involve spiritual practices like reciting Selichot prayers, performing the annulment of vows (Hatarat Nedarim), visiting graves of righteous figures, and personal rituals such as haircuts, immersion in a mikveh, and lighting candles before sunset. Families prepare festive meals featuring the symbolic foods and conduct special blessings and prayers, including the central mitzvah of shofar blowing.

The holiday's prayers and rituals emphasize reflection, repentance, and renewal. The traditional "Tashlich" ceremony involves casting sins into flowing water, usually after afternoon prayers on the first day. The second day repeats many customs of the first, including candle lighting and blessings over new fruits. Practical guidance addresses common questions about customs, dietary restrictions, and prayer practices, emphasizing flexibility and health considerations.

Charity is strongly encouraged before and during the holiday, with teachings from the Lubavitcher Rebbe highlighting the importance of regular tithing and generosity throughout the new year. The guide also notes customs such as refraining from sleep on Rosh Hashanah day to maintain spiritual alertness. Weather forecasts for the holiday period will be provided closer to the date.