There is a longstanding and popular custom amongst Jewish communities that as the High Holy Days approach people send Rosh Hashanah cards to one another.
The message conveyed in these Jewish New Year cards is usually a wish that the recipient be blessed with a happy and healthy year.
Exactly when and where this tradition began is not exactly clear.
Most likely, however, its origin may be traced back to the significance and meaning of the day.
Rosh Hashanna celebrates the creation of the world.
It is a time for each of us to reflect on who we are and where our life is going.
People utilize this period as an opportunity to take a personal accounting of their deeds and actions.
Depending on when and where the Rosh Hashanah card was printed, it may reflect one of several themes.
This is evident in the text chosen and the pictures or photos that may appear on the card.
That which follows is an explanation of the three major themes.
The most popular motif is that of an apple and honey.
This derives from a popular custom on Rosh Hashana to take a piece of apple and dip it in honey.
It expresses our desire that the coming year be a sweet one.
A second popular theme appearing on many Rosh Hashanah cards is the shofar.
A shofar is a ram's horn that is blown during the prayer service of Rosh Hashana.
Rosh Hashana is the day we coronate the Creator as king.
During a typical coronation ceremony it might be expected that trumpets be sounded.
In similar manner we blow the shofar on the Jewish New Year, celebrating G-d's kingship.
The cry of the shofar also symbolizes our yearning for forgiveness and desire to draw closer to the Lord.
This is best accomplished through repentance, prayer and charity.
The third major motif found on Rosh Hashanah cards is that of the Creator sitting in judgment.
Three books are opened before us by the heavenly court.
Those who are totally righteous are immediately inscribed in the Book of Life.
Those who, heaven forbid, are totally evil, have their fate sealed in the Book of Death.
The vast majority of us, however, fall somewhere in between.
We are therefore given a ten day period of atonement (between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) whereby we may express regret and repent over our misdeeds, do our best to rectify our mistakes, and vow not to repeat them.
Hopefully, our prayers and sincere intent will be acceptable before the Lord and we too will be sealed in the Book of Life.