Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his heartfelt greetings to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Jewish community worldwide on the occasion of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. In a message posted on social media platform X, PM Modi wrote "Shana Tova! Warmest Rosh Hashanah greetings to my friend Prime Minister @netanyahu, the people of Israel and the Jewish community worldwide. Wishing everyone a new year filled with peace, hope and good health".
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days and is a time for reflection, prayer, and celebration with family and friends. It is observed over two days with festive meals and traditions symbolizing renewal and peace. This year, Rosh Hashanah began on the evening of September 22nd and concludes on the evening of September 24th. The holiday marks the start of the Hebrew year 5786.
The greetings from PM Modi to PM Netanyahu also highlight the strong and growing relationship between India and Israel. Over the years, the two countries have steadily deepened their partnership, expanding cooperation in various sectors including defense, cybersecurity, agriculture, water management, and innovation. The personal rapport between PM Modi and PM Netanyahu has often been noted as a contributing factor to this strategic partnership.
Rosh Hashanah is not just a celebration of the New Year, but also a period of introspection and repentance. It marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. During this time, Jewish people reflect on their actions of the past year and seek forgiveness. It is a time to atone for sins and to be inscribed positively in the "Book of Life".
Traditional Rosh Hashanah greetings include "Shana Tova," meaning "Happy New Year," and "Shana Tova Umetuka," meaning "Have a Happy and Sweet New Year". It is also customary to eat symbolic foods such as apples and honey, signifying the hope for a sweet new year. Another central observance is the blowing of the shofar (ram's horn) in synagogues. The sound of the shofar serves as a "wake-up call" for introspection and reflection.
