Why is the Jewish “New Year” in the Middle of the Hebrew Calendar?

Although it is one of Judaism’s holiest holidays, there is no mention of Rosh Hashanah in the Torah–the primary source of Jewish teachings. In fact, the Torah says the beginning of the year is the first of the month Nisan, which is in the spring. It wasn’t until the Mishnah (the first book of Jewish law) was written at the beginning of the second century, that Rosh Hashanah is explicitly described as the New Year. 

The reason for the shift in the New Year’s timing is still debated by rabbinic scholars. Some ancient scholars believed it was because the harvest season began in autumn. Some modern scholars believe it was meant to be linked to the Baylonian new year. Regardless of the reason, Nisan remains the first month of the Hebrew calendar, but doesn’t celebrate the beginning of creation as the first of Tishrei does.