In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah literally translates to "head of the year." Jewish tradition teaches that just as the brain controls the body, how you behave and reflect during this holiday sets the spiritual tone for your entire year ahead. Practicing Teshuvah repentance, spiritual reflection actually starts during the preceding month of Elul. A Time for Repentance (Teshuvah): The holiday kicks off the High Holy Days (or "Days of Awe"), a 10-day period focused on making amends with those you have wronged and returning to a good path. This period culminates in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.