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Rosh Hashanah 2003-5764
The Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish new year. Its origin is
Biblical (Lev. 23:23-25): "a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts
[of the shofar, the ram's horn]." The term Rosh Hashanah, "beginning of
the year," is rabbinical, as are the formidable themes of the festival:
repentance, preparation for the day of Divine judgment and prayer for a
fruitful year. The two-day festival, which falls on 1-2 Tishre in the Jewish
calendar, will begin this year at sunset on Friday, September 26,
and conclude at sunset on Sunday, September 28.
Major customs of Rosh Hashanah include the sounding of the shofar in the middle of a lengthy service that focuses on the festival themes, and elaborate meals at home to inaugurate the new year. In many senses, Israel begins its year on Rosh Hashanah.
On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Central Bureau of Statistics announced that the population of Israel is 6,716,000, of whom 5,425,000 (81%) are Jews and 1,291,000 (19%) Arabs, a total population increase of 124,100 for the year (1.8%). 137,000 births were recorded, and 27,000 new immigrants arrived in Israel during the past year.
MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL
MR. MOSHE KATSAV
Dear Friends,
On the eve of the New Year, as is customary, we will recite the blessing: "May it be Thou will to renew unto us a good and sweet year," for the people of Israel and all human beings.
We pray that the year 5764 will herald blessings for the People of Israel that we live in security in our country - our homeland and that world Jewry and all of humanity will be granted a tranquil and secure life.
We pray that the much yearned for peace between us and our neighbours will be attained and that 5764 will see the disappearance of anti-Semitism in the world and a strengthening of the bond between the Jewish people in Israel and those in the Diaspora.
The free world strongly desires to live in peace and freedom. Humanity has the basic right to live without fear of terror. Israel has been suffering from terrorist activities since the beginning of Zionism and we believe that only a determined fight and international cooperation in the political, military, economic and judicial fields can annihilate terrorism.
I thank the Jewish communities for their expressions of solidarity with the State of Israel during this difficult period for the People of Israel. These increase our unity and lifts our spirit. We are proud that, despite all the difficulties, Aliyah is continuing. An extensive Aliyah can change Zionist and Jewish history and change the state of Israel.
I wish you and your families a good and blessed New Year, a year of success and the fulfillment of all our national and sovereign desires.
Sincerely,
Moshe Katsav
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MESSAGE FROM THE
PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL
MR. ARIEL SHARON
Dear Friends,
As we prepare to greet the New Year, I take great pleasure in extending my best personal wishes for a sweet 5764 to Israel's sister Jewish communities the world over.
This part of the calendar is generally reserved for introspection. The past few years have been immensely challenging for the State of Israel, both politically and economically. And yet, one constant bright spot for the Jewish state has been our ability to rely on the passionate support of our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, giving us the strength and encouragement to persevere in the face of adversity.
Israel continues to struggle against terror, but our spirit remains unbroken. With resolve and determination, we will not cease in our efforts to realize the Zionist dream - building our homeland and bringing peace, security and prosperity to our people.
But the future of our nation rests on our combined shoulders. The task of preserving a secure Israel as the guarantor of Jewish life around the world must be our shared endeavor, and I am confident that our common purpose and destiny will lead us onto success in this mission.
From Jerusalem, the eternal and undivided capital of the Jewish people, I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.
Sincerely,
Ariel Sharon
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MESSAGE FROM DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER
SILVAN SHALOM
Dear Friends,
The Jewish people stand on the threshold of a new year, one that brings with it the possibility of a new beginning and the hope for better times. This past year has brought many challenges to the State of Israel. We have continued our struggle against terrorism, while holding our hand out in peace. We have been forced to implement economic austerity measures, while striving always to ensure that Israel continues to develop its society as a unique outpost of progress, democracy and stability in the Middle East. We have seen continuing triumphs for Israel in the scientific arena, even as we have mourned the tragic death of our first astronaut, Col. Ilan Ramon.
Despite the challenges and frustrations which have marked this past year, the people of Israel remain resolute in their determination, unbowed and unbroken. We hope for peace, and we are doing everything we can to bring this dream to fruition. We have committed ourselves, by accepting the "Roadmap", to leaving no stone unturned and no avenue unexplored in this quest. But peace cannot be achieved unilaterally; neither will fervently wishing for it make it so. Peace can only be achieved when our adversaries realize that their goals cannot be attained through violence and destruction and when they commit themselves whole-heartedly to the global fight against terror. Peace can only be achieved when the culture of hate which has so poisoned our region is replaced with a culture of peace and tolerance. Peace can only be achieved when Israel's existence as a Jewish and democratic state is accepted by all.
The international community can and must play a positive role in promoting this goal and in fostering an environment in which peace and prosperity can flourish. Since taking office six months ago, I have dedicated myself to strengthening Israel's relations with the international community, particularly our Arab neighbors, as well as our traditional friends in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. Despite the many obstacles, I remain committed to doing my utmost to ensure that Israel's case is heard, its policies understood and its legitimate rights and interests protected.
We are particularly concerned with the apparent upsurge in antisemitic activities in recent years. We will continue to make our voice heard on the international stage in order to combat this dangerous phenomenon. It is inconceivable, at the outset of the twenty-first century and less than sixty years after the end of the Shoah, that Jews should be threatened anywhere. Together, we can and we will win the battle against this most ancient form of bigotry and hatred.
In our ongoing mission to promote and protect our unique country, we see the Jewish communities in the Diaspora as our partners. The constant support which the people and State of Israel receive from Jewish communities across the globe gives us strength and heartens us. Our fates are intertwined. We know that we are not alone and we know that together we can build a better future for our children. Let us therefore greet the New Year with the ancient prayer of our People: "May the past year with its sorrows depart and may the New Year with its blessings commence."
Shanah Tovah to all.
Silvan Shalom
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