Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, meaning "head of the year" in Hebrew. It marks the beginning of the Jewish civil year and commemorates the creation of the world and humanity. The festival is a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal, as Jewish people consider their deeds from the past year and seek forgiveness to start fresh. It is also known as the Day of Judgment when God evaluates a person's deeds and decides their fate for the coming year. Rosh Hashanah begins a ten-day period of soul-searching that culminates in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Celebrations include prayer, the blowing of the shofar (ram's horn), festive meals, and abstaining from work. The holiday usually occurs in September or early October, according to the lunar calendar.