Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the New Year according to the Hebrew calendar. Rosh Hashanah we praise the creation of the world and reflect of our deeds in the previous year. The ten day beginning with this holiday and end in the Atonement day is a time for self-evaluation and repentance.  During these ten days, we examine how we can become a better person in the upcoming year and how we can better fulfill our duties to God. Although it is nothing like Christmas, it is a popular gesture to bring Rosh Hashanah gifts on the New Year evening. Common Rosh Hashanah gifts are decorative ceremonial objects for Rosh Hashanah's festive dinner such as honey dishes or Rosh Hashanah plates.

Rosh Hashanah Customs and related Rosh Hashanah gifts
Rosh Hashanah occurs right before Yom Kippur, and for a good reason. During the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur,  called "Days of Awe", Jewish people all around the world reflect on their past mistakes in the context of their relationship with God and with their friends and families.  This self-examination is in the context of relationship with other people is considered extremely important.

On Yom Kippur that immediately follows, it's time to make new resolutions, apologize to the ones you've hurt and forgive the ones who have hurt you. During this time acquaintances greet each other with Shana Tova, and wish: "May you be inscribed in the Book of Life" .

Popular Rosh Hashanah gifts - Rosh Hashanah Plate and honey dish
 
On Rosh Hashanah evening, a festive dinner is held. All members of the Jewish family gather around the table for a festive meal that includes different kinds of symbolic foods. After reciting a blessing, we eat apples sweetened with honey and bless each other, "may you be replenished for another good and sweet year." It is also customary  dip a slice of Challah bread in honey. The sweet honey is a metaphor for our constant wish for a pleasant and prosperous year. Honey also symbolizes the land of Israel which the bible refers to as "the land of milk and honey".
 
Pomegranate - a prominent motif in Rosh Hashanah gifts designs.
 
According to Jewish tradition, we eat a ripened fruit of the holy land on Rosh Hashanah, usually a pomegranate. The pomegranate, as you might know,  is one of the seven species the land of Israel is blessed with. The pomegranate is rich with seeds and so has become a symbol of abundance and prosperity. As we bless on the pomegranate, we wish that our merits will be as plentiful as the seeds of the pomegranate. The pomegranate, thus, has become a prominent motif in Rosh Hashanah gifts. Judaica artists beautifully incorporate this motif in their designs. Israeli artist Dorit Klein, has taken this motif one step further and created an original series of wall hanging blessings shaped as pomegranates.

We bring you here a wide selection of Rosh Hashanah gifts by Israel's finest Judaica artists. All items are hand-made by the artists in varioys shapes and styles for your perfect enjoynment.