Rosh Hashanah Customs EREV ROSH HASHANAH HATARAT NEDARIM (NULLIYING OF VOWS) It is customary to convene a Jewish court (beit din) on the day before Rosh Hashanah to release us from any unfulfilled vows we might have made this year. The court can be made up of any 3 Jewish men, who sit, while the petitioner stands before them and asks for a pardon for any eligible offenses (owing money, for instance, is not eligible.) A husband, upon request, can ask for release for his wife’s vows. If it is not done before Rosh Hashanah, one can still do it during the 10 days of repentance. There will be an opportunity to join a Zoom Beit Din for this ritual on Friday morning, September 18. See KJ website for details It is also appropriate to buy special clothing for Rosh Hashanah, or, at least, to make sure that suits and dresses are washed and prepared in the best way for the chag. The day of Erev Rosh Hashanah is also filled with culinary preparations; it is after all a festival and food is an important symbol on the eve of the holiday. □
ROSH HASHANAH NIGHT
FOR MEN: “l’shana tova tikateiv v’teichateim” FOR WOMEN: “l’shana tova tikateivi v’teichateimi”
OTHER GREETINGS OFTEN HEARD DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ARE:
a) ketiva vachatima tova (sometimes said as: kesiva vachasima tova) b) may you have a good “gebencht yor” (Yiddish) a blessing is some centuries later, dating to Rabbi Amram Gaon from the 9th century. Two candles are generally lit. On Festivals (including Rosh Hashanah) the blessing is the same except for the last two words. Instead of ending with ‘the candle of Shabbat’, it ends with ‘the candle of Yomtov’. However, sometimes Rosh Hashanah falls out on Friday night. In this case both Shabbat and Yomtov are included. In addition to the regular blessing, at the beginning of festivals the bracha of ‘she-hechiyanu’ is recited. It is a blessing acknowledging the unique moment in time, the onset of a new holiday which takes place only once a year. Candle Lighting can be found on page 5
CANDLE LIGHTING
ROSH HASHANAH GREETINGS
An obligation to fill the house with light on Shabbat and festivals dates back to the Talmud though the first time we read of the custom of reciting
Following the evening services on the first night of Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to greet each individual person with the following special formula:
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c) shana tova u’metuka – a good and sweet year It means: For a good year, may you be written and inscribed
KIDDUSH The Rosh Hashanah Kiddush is unique and mentions the unique nature of the holiday in addition to the festival themes. It concludes with the She-hechiyanu blessing. It is also customary to bless one’s children before Kiddush. □ Kiddush Can be found on page 99
