ROSH HASHANAH 5787 – 2026

LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF ROSH HASHANAH

In the monumental work on the mitzvoth of the Torah, Sefer HaChinuch, the author writes this about the purpose of Rosh Hashanah (Mitzvah 311): “Of the many kindnesses of the

Almighty that He demonstrates to His creations is to remember them and closely scrutinize their deeds once every year. He did this so that one’s sins would not increase in an unbridled fashion and that there should be an opportunity for forgiveness and atonement… If He would have allowed sins to go unchecked for a long time, it might be possible for them to increase to such an extent that the world would be deserving of destruction, Heaven forbid. Consequently, this day is what upholds the world! It is thus proper to treat it as a Yom Tov and to count it as one of the special times of the year. And from the point of view that it is the Day of Judgment on which every living thing is judged, it is only correct to adopt an attitude of fear and awe upon it more than at any other time. This is why the Torah refers to it as a day of “remembrance and shofar blasts”, for the sound of the shofar is that of a broken voice, indicating that each of us should break the shackles of his lusts and desires and turn aside from his evil deeds… It is for this reason that the Sages did not require the recitation of Hallel on Rosh Hashanah (Psalms of Praise) – for how can we sing praises when the books of life and death are open?” Accordingly, we should view Rosh Hashanah as a unique opportunity to cast aside our negative traits and to improve our deeds. The “instrument” that summons us to this awesome mission is the shofar.

THE SHOFAR

The shofar is an instrument that calls us to Teshuva in many ways – by its very name, its shape, its origin and the sound that it makes.

• The word shofar is closely related to the Aramaic verb “shafir”, to improve or make better. Hence, the shofar calls us to improve our ways and become the best person we can be.
• The shape: Although it is not obligatory, it is considered a commendable practice to use a curled or bent shofar. This indicates that we should be submissive and bowed before our Creator and not stiff-necked or haughty.
• One of the origins of the practice of using a ram’s horn was the binding of Yitzchak, which took place on Rosh Hashanah. After the planned sacrifice of Yitzchak was aborted, Abraham offered a ram in his place. When we see the shofar, we are reminded of Abraham and Yitzchak’s absolute commitment to G-d and their willingness to sacrifice everything for Him.
• The sound: The prophet Amos stated, “Who can hear a shofar blown in a city and not be afraid?” Its deep, mournful cry penetrates our hearts and minds and brings us back to Hashem.

The Shofar is not sounded when Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat.

TASHLICH

One of the most mysterious customs of Rosh Hashanah is the practice of Tashlich. The Code of Jewish Law states succinctly: “We go to a river (on Rosh Hashanah) to say the verse (Micah 7:19) ‘And you shall cast into the depths (v’tashlich) of the sea all of our sins’”. No reason is provided and no further details are mentioned. The Chofetz Chaim, of blessed memory, suggests that the source of this custom is a Midrash about the aborted sacrifice of Yitzchak. On the way to the place of the sacrifice, Avraham was held up many times to test his resolve. One of his challenges was to pass through a deep and swiftly flowing river. He waded into it until the waters threatened to drown him and he cried out to Hashem: “Save me, for the waters have come up to take my soul!” Miraculously, the waters abated and he was able to continue his journey. Because this happened on Rosh Hashanah, we recall his experience by going to a body of water and reciting the Attributes of God’s mercy as described by the prophet Micah.

If possible, the river should contain fish as a good omen of abundance and plenty. If the first day of Rosh Hashanah falls on a Shabbat, the ceremony is postponed to the second day.

TRADITIONAL AND SYMBOLIC FOODS

The Talmud mentions several foods to be eaten on Rosh Hashanah as good omens for plenty, abundance, forgiveness and blessing. Amongst these is the head of a fish, symbolising that we “be like the head and not the tail”.

Foods whose names imply increase and plenty should also be eaten, such as carrots, whose Yiddish name, mehren, also means “increase”.

The most commonly eaten symbolic food is sweet apple dipped in honey. After eating a small piece, we say: “May it be your will Hashem, our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers, that you renew for us a good and sweet year”. Many also have the custom of dipping the kitke into honey throughout the festive season through to Hoshana Rabba, the last day of Succoth. There are also Jews who avoid sour foods on Rosh Hashanah such as chrein and still others who do not consume nuts since they increase mucous and interfere with one’s prayers. For a full list of symbolic foods, see Artscroll siddur page 768.

THE PRAYER SERVICE

The tefillot of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are lengthy and full of deep ideas and concepts.

It is a good idea to familiarise oneself with the prayers before arriving at shul and to make sure you have a good, easy-to-follow Machzor, such as the Artscroll edition, and that you have at least looked through it prior to the festival. There is now a fantastic Koren Machzor for both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, with commentary by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

THE TEN DAYS OF REPENTANCE

The Prophet Isaiah advised (Chapter 55): “Seek out Hashem when He is to be found, call out to Him when He is close”. Our Sages remarked that it would seem from this verse that there are times when Hashem is “found”, when He is approachable; and other times when it is more difficult to reach Him. If that is true, then what period of time is the Prophet referring to? They answer that he is referring to the ten days beginning on Rosh Hashanah and concluding on Yom Kippur. As the Rambam writes in his great legal code (Mishna Torah, Laws of Repentance Chapter 1#4): “Even though repentance and prayer is acceptable anytime, nevertheless in the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur it is much better and accepted immediately”. Of course, only repentance that complies with the requirements set out in the Torah will have such an immediate effect. The major components of teshuva are:

• abandoning negative actions
• resolving never to repeat them
• displaying sincere regret for one’s previous behaviour and
• confessing one’s sins to Hashem.
• If the sin was between one person and another then the repentance process will only be complete if amends have been made and debts repaid.

We also attempt to reinforce our positive growth by giving more than usual to charity (there are many organisations that offer gift certificates for Yom Tov in lieu of gifts) and increasing our commitment to and concentration in prayer (the daily minyan is always looking for new members!).

SHABBAT SHUVA

This Shabbat, the first of the year, is a most appropriate time for reflection and recommitment. It takes its name from the opening line of the Haphtarah, in which the Prophet Hosheah calls out: “Return (Shuva), O Israel to Hashem your G-d!” Occasionally it is referred to as Shabbat Teshuva, the Shabbat of Repentance, because it falls during the Ten Days of Repentance. In general, Shabbat was given to the Jewish people as a time for prayer and Torah study and certainly, on this Shabbat, we should ensure that we pray with extra intention and fill our minds with thoughts of improvement and growth. It is against this backdrop that the custom developed for the Rabbi to deliver a special address on Shabbat Shuva dealing with the themes of character refinement, repentance and upliftment.

FAST OF GEDALIAH

After the First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonian ruler Nebuchadnezzar and most of the Jews were exiled, the tyrant king left a small population of Jews in Israel and appointed Gedaliah ben Achikam as a governor. Many of the Jews living in the surrounding countries of Amon, Moav and Edom returned to the Holy Land when they heard of the appointment of this righteous man and began to work the land and settle it once more. However, the King of Amon who despised the fact that a remainder had been left in Israel, dispatched Ishmael ben Netanyah, a Jewish man, to assassinate the new leader. Gedaliah received warning of the planned attempt on his life but he refused to acknowledge it, treating it instead as slander and gossip. Therefore, when Ishmael arrived at the governor’s residence in Mizpeh, he was received warmly with open arms. Suddenly, Ishmael attacked and killed Gedaliah and many of the Jews who were present. The news of Gedaliah’s death struck panic into the hearts of the citizens of Israel who feared a backlash from Babylon. Most of them fled and the land was left desolate. The date of Gedaliah’s assassination was 3 Tishrei, the day after Rosh Hashanah, and the Sages enacted that we fast on this day to recall this terrible incident and its awful ramifications. When the third falls on a Shabbat, the fast is postponed until Sunday.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ALL COHANIM

The Priestly blessing, also known as Birkat Cohanim or duchening [a duchen is a platform and in the Temple, the Cohanim would stand on a platform when they recited the blessing], is an important feature of the festival prayer services. Every male Cohen over the age of thirteen is obligated by the Torah to bless the Congregation using the three-sentence formula found in the Book of Numbers. Young Cohanim may also join their fathers to practise for their post-bar mitzvah duty. This blessing is inserted into the repetition of the Mussaf service on all days of Yom Tov – Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Succoth and Shemini Atzeret. On Simchat Torah it is recited in the Shacharit service.

We cordially invite all Cohanim to come forward and fulfil this wonderful mitzvah. A special card containing instructions will be supplied to each Cohen. Should you need assistance or are unsure of what is required of you, please do not hesitate to speak to Rabbi Liebenberg.

This week’s YouTube message: https://youtu.be/5-3WhhHXtuk?si=1KwHI-MQqANAncSE