Wednesday, September 17th

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Rosh Hashanah


In 2014, Rosh Hashanah – the major annual holiday celebrated annually and known as the Jewish New Year or Yom Teruah – begins on September 24 when the sun goes down and ends September 26. The moveable date is calculated each year based on the Hebrew lunar calendar.

Rosh Hashanah is the official beginning of the Hebrew calendar’s year. These days, Jews celebrate by eating apples coated in honey (for a sweet new year), going to religious services, and many participate in the ritual of “casting off” – throwing bread into running water, such as a river, to “cast off” their sins.

However, Rosh Hashanah wasn’t always the same as it is today. To show you the difference between then and now, here areah: 

Five Things You Didn’t Know About Rosh Hashanah

  1. The name of the holiday “Rosh Hashanah” isn’t mentioned in the Torah or the Dead Sea Scrolls. Modern etymology traces the origin of the name to 1846, however, the name is mentioned in rabbinical literature prior to that date. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah literally means, |”beginning of the year.”
  2. The first day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar  (Tishrei) is celebrated as Rosh Hashanah. However, in Biblical times, it seems the holiday was considered  fairly minor.Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.” — Leviticus 23:24-25
  3. During the Geonic period in Jewish history, it was customary to serve a cooked calf’s head at Rosh Hashanah, symbolizing prosperity. Later, the holiday delicacy became a fish head. Many Jews substitute gefilte fish instead.
  4. Another symbol of Rosh Hashanah – pomegranates – is eaten on the second night as the symbolic “new fruit.” Why? Pomegranates were once believed to contain 613 seeds, the same number as the commandments written in the Torah.
  5. The blowing of the ancient musical instrument, the  shofar – a trumpet made from a ram’s horn – is very specific at Rosh Hashanah, consisting of four sets of blasts: one tekiah (long), three shevarim (short), nine teruah (staccato), and one tekiah gedolah (very long).  This gives Rosh Hashanah its other name – Yom Teruah, or the Feast of Trumpets.

Greeting Card Universe wishes you “L’Shana Tovah” and helps you celebrate the beginning of the Days of Awe with fantastic and unique Rosh Hashanah cards including customizable Photo Cards that let you send Sweet Wishes for the New Year to  every member of your family, friends, co-workers and synagogue members. Need a last minute card? No problem! Order on-line, get FREE in-store pick-up, usually in 1 hour, at many Target and Bartell Drug Stores.

What Are Happy Shoppers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I am extremely pleased with the cards that I purchased. The cards are first rate and say exactly what I want them to say. I specifically purchased sympathy cards for those that lose a cherished pet as the grief that is felt by the loss of a beloved pet is just as intense as the loss of a human. Thank you Greeting Card Universe; I will definitely purchase from you again.” – Rebecca – September 17, 2014

Monday, July 29th

5 Things to Know About Rosh Hashana


Rosh Hashana marks the Jewish New Year and is celebrated around the world. The date is based on the Hebrew lunar calendar and changes every year. In 2013, Rosh Hashana begins at sundown on September 4 and ends at sundown on September 6.

  1. What’s the Religion Behind The Holiday? In the Jewish faith, on Rosh Hashana, God opens and writes in three books: one records the righteous; the second, the wicked; and the third, the names of those who hang in the balance. During the Days of Awe (the period between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur), people atone for their sins. It’s customary to attend services during this time.
  2. What Do People Say to Each Other? The traditional greeting, “l’shana tova tikatevu ve’tikhatemu” means “may your name be written and sealed for another year” and refers to #1. May be abbreviated to l’shana tova.
  3. What Do People Eat? Traditional foods during Rosh Hashana are honey and apples, symbolizing a “sweet” New Year. In addition, some families hold a Rosh Hashana seder – a ritual meal.
  4. What’s With the Horn? The shofar – a ram’s horn – is blown to awaken the faithful and as a remembrance of Abraham, whom God commanded to sacrifice his son, Isaac (Genesis 22:1-13).
  5. What Else Happens? The Days of Repentance begin on Rosh Hashana. People are encouraged to meditate on their actions over the past year and if possible, make amends to anyone they may have wronged in some way.

Greeting Card Universe helps you celebrate with unique Rosh Hashana cards for all your friends, family, loved ones, co-workers, neighbors, and everyone else in your life.

SPECIAL: Order 5+ cards, get 10% off and free shipping in the US! Use code 2013JULY10


What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“Probably the best selection of cards I’ve seen – will definitely be the first place I look for a card in the future.” – Carlo, July 18, 2013

© Copyright 2000-2014 Greeting Card Universe Privacy Policy