ABSTRACT
In ancient times the Jewish New Year took place on one day; it is presently observed for two days, both in Israel and the diaspora, on the lst and 2nd of Tishri, marking the beginning of the Ten Days of Penitence which ends on the Day of Atonement. The term 'Rosh Hashanah' occurs only once in Scripture. Nonetheless, this festival has three other Biblical designations: Shabbaton – a day of solemn rest to be observed on the first day of the seventh month; Zikhron Teruah – memorial proclaimed with the blast of a horn; and Yom Teruah – 'a day of blowing the horn'. Later the rabbis referred to the New Year as Yom ha-Din. In rabbinic literature each person stands before the throne of God, and judgement on every person is entered on the New Year and sealed on the Day of Atonement.
