Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a two-day celebration in Israel, according to the Hebrew calendar. The second day of Rosh Hashanah is believed to be the day when God remembered Sarah and blessed her and Abraham with their only child. It is a significant day that represents the concept of divine mercy and compassion. This day, just like the first day, holds great religious and cultural significance for all Jewish communities across the world, including in Israel.
Rosh Hashanah's second day is filled with liturgical rituals just like the first day. These include the blowing of the Shofar (a ram's horn), which symbolizes a call for repentance and a reminder of God's sovereignty. In many congregations, it is traditional to read the Akedah, or the binding of Isaac, reflecting on Abraham's faith and obedience to God. The day is observed with prayer services in synagogues, and special meals with symbolic foods, such as apples dipped in honey for a sweet New Year.
Despite its solemn religious aspects, the second day of Rosh Hashanah is also a day of joy and family gatherings in Israel. Many Jewish families spend this day reflecting on their actions from the past year and committing to improve for the upcoming year, in line with the theme of the new year. It is also common to participate in Tashlich, a ceremony in which breadcrumbs are thrown into water as a symbol of casting away sins. Thus, the second day of Rosh Hashanah signifies a fresh start and the hope of a blessed year ahead.