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Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American midnight drinking bash and daytime football game.

There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one: Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making “resolutions.” Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year. More on this concept at Days of Awe.

The name “Rosh Hashanah” is not used in the Bible to discuss this holiday. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25.

The shofar is a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. A total of 100 notes are sounded each day. There are four different types of shofar notes: tekiah, a 3 second sustained note; shevarim, three 1-second notes rising in tone, teruah, a series of short, staccato notes extending over a period of about 3 seconds; and tekiah gedolah (literally, “big tekiah”), the final blast in a set, which lasts (I think) 10 seconds minimum. Click the shofar above to hear an approximation of the sound of Tekiah Shevarim-Teruah Tekiah. The Bible gives no specific reason for this practice. One that has been suggested is that the shofar’s sound is a call to repentance. The shofar is not blown if the holiday falls on Shabbat.

No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Much of the day is spent in synagogue, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. In fact, there is a special prayerbook called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for these holidays.

Another popular observance during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of our wish for a sweet new year. This was the second Jewish religious practice I was ever exposed to (the first one: lighting Chanukkah candles), and I highly recommend it. It’s yummy. We also dip bread in honey (instead of the usual practice of sprinkling salt on it) at this time of year for the same reason.

Another popular practice of the holiday is Tashlikh (“casting off”). We walk to flowing water, such as a creek or river, on the afternoon of the first day and empty our pockets into the river, symbolically casting off our sins. Small pieces of bread are commonly put in the pocket to cast off. This practice is not discussed in the Bible, but is a long-standing custom. Tashlikh is normally observed on the afternoon of the first day, before afternoon services. When the first day occurs on Shabbat, many synagogues observe Tashlikh on Sunday afternoon, to avoid carrying (the bread) on Shabbat.

Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d‘s sovereignty.

The common greeting at this time is L’shanah tovah (“for a good year”). This is a shortening of “L’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem” (or to women, “L’shanah tovah tikatevi v’taihatemi”), which means “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.” More on that concept at Days of Awe.
You may notice that the Bible speaks of Rosh Hashanah as occurring on the first day of the seventh month. The first month of the Jewish calendar is Nissan, occurring in March and April. Why, then, does the Jewish “new year” occur in Tishri, the seventh month?

“Drawing inspiration from your own past and thereby reinventing yourself – that is exactly what the BMW M1 Homage demonstrates in impressive style.” BMW’s current (and controversial) ‘flame surfacing’ design language dominates the concept car’s sheetmetal, though the M1 Homage features obvious styling cues from the original supercar that was designed by Giugiaro’s Ital Design and based heavily on the 1972 ‘gullwinged’ BMW Turbo concept.

The squinting front end, louvred rear windscreen, salad-spinner wheels, and twin BMW roundels on the rear flanks are all classic M1 cues. BMW says the M1 Homage also mimics the original’s pop-up headlights with recessed lamps that are visible only when they are switched on.

The concept’s Liquid Orange metallic paintwork is also a nod to the classic M1 colour. The M1 Homage’s dimensions are similar to the 4.3m-long original, although BMW says a longer wheelbase creates more cabin space. BMW hasn’t revealed the concept’s engine details, but says cooling is provided by a number of small flaps and openings integrated into the bodywork – including the signature twin kidney grille at the front. The M1 was powered by a 207kW 3.5-litre inline six-cylinder that propelled the 1300kg supercar to a top speed approaching 260km/h.

Only 450 M1s were ever built, for the purpose of homologating the supercar for BMW’s racing ambitions. Rules for the Group 5 Silhouette formula in which the M1 intended to race stipulated that 400 production versions had to be built over two years. When BMW launched the M1 in 1978, however, the rules had changed to 400 having to be sold to the public before a car could be sanctioned for racing.

As a result, the M1’s homologation wasn’t completed until 1981 – the last year it was officially sold. Lamborghini was initially involved in developing and building the M1 before the Italian supercar maker ran into financial difficulties and BMW regained full control of the project.

Chris Bangle, head of design for BMW, says GINA allowed his team to “challenge existing principles and conventional processes.” “It is in the nature of such visions that they do not necessarily claim to be suitable for series production,” company officials said in unveiling the car Tuesday. “Rather, they are intended to steer creativity and research into new directions.”

Giving Bangle and his team that latitude to design so radical a car “helps to tap into formerly inconceivable, innovative potential” to push the boundaries of appearance and materials as well as functions and the manufacturing process, BMW says. Bangle and is team actually built GINA — which stands for “Geometry and functions In ‘N’ Adaptions” — six years ago, but BMW kept it under, er, wraps until Tuesday.

It’s built on the Z8 chassis and has a 4.4-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission. BMW says the fabric skin – polyurethane-coated Lycra – is resilient, durable and water resistant. It’s stretched over an aluminum frame controlled by electric and hydraulic actuators that allow the owner to change the body shape. Want a big spoiler on the back? Wider fenders? No problem.

“The drastic reinterpretation of familiar functionality and structure means that drivers have a completely new experience when they handle their car,” BMW says. GINA has just four panels – the front hood, two sides and the rear deck. The doors open in jack-knife fashion and are completely smooth when closed; access to the engine is through a slit in the hood. BMW says the shape of the body can be changed without slackening or damaging the fabric. The fabric is opaque translucent so the taillights shine through, and small motors pull the fabric back to reveal the headlights.

The interior is equally innovative. The steering wheel and gauges swing into place and the headrest rises from the seat once the driver is seated, making it easier to get in and out of the car. BMW says GINA is built on a space frame that provides all the safety of a conventional car, but we suspect people – not to mention BMW’s lawyers and government regulators – wouldn’t embrace fabric bodies. Still, the company says GINA could influence the design of future Beemers.

Photos and video by BMW.

Grand Tour :
Welcome to the Grand Tour of Schönbrunn Palace in which you’ll be passing through 40 magnificent rooms. Like the Imperial Tour, the Grand Tour also begins in the west wing of the palace and takes you through the apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, through the central wing with the ceremonial and state rooms and into the east wing. Here you’ll see the splendid audience chamber of Maria Theresa and Emperor Franz Stephan, as well as many other fascinating interiors.
You can explore the imperial rooms with a guided tour (at a premium) or alone with a tour description (free of charge).

Grand Tour

Welcome to the Grand Tour of Schönbrunn Palace in which you’ll be passing through 40 magnificent rooms. Like the Imperial Tour, the Grand Tour also begins in the west wing of the palace and takes you through the apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, through the central wing with the ceremonial and state rooms and into the east wing. Here you’ll see the splendid audience chamber of Maria Theresa and Emperor Franz Stephan, as well as many other fascinating interiors.

I bought a combined ticket for

1. Palace – Grand Tour
2.Maze & Labyrinth