The True Origin of Rosh HaShanah

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Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins at sundown tomorrow. But did you know how and why the holiday was created?
In the Bible, the first of Tishrei wasn't originally the year's beginning, but rather fell in the middle of the year according to the biblical month count starting from Nissan. The Pentateuch does however mention a minor holiday called "Zikaron Truah" on this date, but textual evidence suggests this wasn't observed during the First Temple period.
The holiday's true creation can be traced to the time of Ezra in the early Second Temple period, as described in the narrative of him introducing the Torah to the people of Jerusalem. The text says this event took place on the first of Tihsrei and describes Ezra instituting a celebration to commemorate the event, instructing the people: "Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord." This moment marked the birth of the holiday.
During the Second Temple period, the observance was limited to sacrifices in the Temple and shofar blowing. It wasn't until the rise of Rabbinic Judaism in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE that the day was established as the Jewish New Year, aligning with the Hellenistic calendar's year beginning in Tishrei.
Many familiar Rosh Hashanah traditions are relatively recent additions. Eating apples on the holiday was first recorded in 12th century France, while dipping them in honey emerged in 15th century Germany. The custom of eating pomegranates on Rosh Hashanah dates back to 14th century Spain.
If you want to learn more about the origins of Rosh Hashanah, the rest of the Jewish holidays and Judaism as a whole, check out my book "The Secret History of Judaism".