Watch Rosh Hashanah 2012: The Jewish New Year Explained Video | What It Means

It’s time for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year! Rosh Hashanah is celebrated in 2012 from sundown on Sept. 16 to nightfall on Sept. 18. But for those of us who don’t celebrate, what does it all mean?

“Though Rosh Hashanah literally means “head of the year,” the holiday actually takes place on the first two days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar.

“This is because Rosh Hashanah, one of four new years in the Jewish year, is considered the new year of people, animals and legal contracts. In the Jewish oral tradition, Rosh Hashanah marks the completion of the creation of the world.” – HuffingtonPost.com