Supposedly, Prince Charles was on something of a wanderjahr in his 20s and happened to be in Australia when everything shut down for what seemed like the tenth holiday in a row. He lost his temper with the hotel keeper, “…so what stupid Australian holiday is THIS?” The hotel keeper cleared his throat and said, “Well, you might know it by some other name but down here we just call it the Queen’s Birthday.”
I don’t think you understand – for most people a few hours from now would still be “good”. But I didn’t wish my parents a happy new year before they wished me a happy new year. Therefore, I forgot (which is true). And now my little brother is going to be the “good” son for another year running.
It’s an old stereotype with regards to jews being frugal with money. Wasting it on something foolish is akin to burning it. Either of which makes you a bad jew.
Go have some apples and honey. Also traditional: round challah, carrot slices, tzimmes, fish heads, goat/sheep head (for those last two, note that the rosh in Rosh Hashanah translates literally as “head”).
I’m Jewish and I didn’t know either until last night when I stumbled on a list of good recipes to make for Rosh Ha’shanah. I thought it was next week. Oops.
It’s extra early this year. Also note that the first night of Chanukah is the evening before Thanksgiving, so Thanksgiving day is the first day of Chanukah. This will apparently never happen again.