This year Rosh Hashana Begins Friday night September 15, 2023 (6:51 pm Philadelphia time) – ends Sunday September 17, 2023 AFTER nightfall (7:46 pm Philadelphia time)
This Document contains G-d’s Name, therefore it may NOT be thrown out)
For more information on Rosh Hashanah go to: Rosh Hashanah 2023 – The Jewish New Year – Chabad.org and Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year | Aish
Important to note: There is a Mitzvah to listen to the blowing of the Shofar during the day on Sunday, the 17th. When you hear the Shofar blowing, remember- This is the Birthday of the World and we Coronate the King. (This year because the first day of the Rosh Hashana is a Shabbath, the Shofar is not blown.)
- Lighting of the Candles
Women (or if there isn’t a woman in the house, the head of the household), light candles. Light a 24 hour candle before the holiday begins and light second night, September 16th from the existing candle.
For exact times please visit: http://www.chabad.org/calendar/zmanim_cdo/aid/143790/jewish/Halachic-Times-Zmanim.htm
Blessings for the evenings September 15th (6:51 pm Philadelphia Time)
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam asherki-deshanu be-mitzvo–tav ve-tzvi-vanu le-hadliknershelShabath v Yom Tov
1. Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to light the candle of Shabbath and the Holiday.
2. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-yi-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, L-ord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
For the Saturday Evening, September 16th (after 8:19 pm Philadelphia time):
1. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam asher ki-deshanu be-mitzvo–tav ve-tzvi-vanu le-hadlik ner shel Yom Tov
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to light the candle of the Holiday.
[Note: When reciting the following blessing on the second night of the holiday, one should have in mind the new fruit which one will subsequently be eating after Kiddush.]
2. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-yi-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, L-ord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
2. Evening Kiddush for Rosh Hashanah
Kiddush is recited while holding a cup of kosher wine or grape juice.
(Challah should be on the table – covered)
When Rosh Hashana occurs on Shabbos, on September 15th begin here:
And evening came, then morning came: the sixth day. The heavens and the earth were completed and [so were] all their hosts. And God completed, by the seventh day, His work which He had done; and He abstained on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, for on it He abstained from all His work which God had created to do.
On Sunday September 16th , begin here:
Attention! our masters and our teachers:
Blessed are You, Ado-noy our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
Blessed are You, Ado-noy our God, King of the Universe, Who chose us from among all people, aand exalted us above all languages, and sanctified us with His commandments. And [You] gave us Ado-noy, our God, in love [On Shabbos September 15th, add: this Shabbos day, and] this day of Remembrance a day for [On Shabbos September 15th , add: the day of remembrance of] sounding the shofar
[On Shabbos, September 15 thadd: with love] a day of holy assembly commemorating the exodus from Mitzrayim. For us have You chosen and us have You sanctified from among all peoples; and Your word is true and enduring forever Blessed are You Ado-noy, King over all the earth, Sanctifier [On Shabbos September 15, add: Of Shabbos and] of Yisrael and the Day of Remembrance.
Blessed are You, Ado-noy, our God, King of the Universe Who has kept us alive and sustained us
and brought us to this season. (End here on September 15th)
On September 16th continue here:
Blessed are You, Ado-noy, our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the lights of fire.
Blessed are You, Ado-noy, our God, King of the Universe, Who has made a distinction between the sacred and the unhallowed, between light and darkness, between Yisrael and the peoples, between the seventh day and the six work days. Between the sanctity of Shabbos and the sanctity of the Holiday have You distinguished, and the seventh day [from] the six work days have You sanctified. You have distinguished and sanctified Your people Yisrael with Your holiness. Blessed are You, Ado-noy Who distinguished between sacred and sacred.
2nd prayer (To be said on both nights: September 15th and 16th):
Barukh atah Ad-onai, El-oheinu, melekh ha’olam shehecheyanu v’kiyimanu v’higi’anu laz’man hazeh.
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season (Amen)
2A SECOND NIGHT ONLY (evening of September 16th) -New Fruit
On the second night of Rosh Hashanah, a “new fruit,” i.e., a seasonal fruit which we have not yet tasted since its season began, should be present on the table when the holiday candles are kindled and during the kiddush. While reciting the Shehecheyanu blessing after candle-lighting and after the kiddush, one should have the new fruit in mind.
This fruit is eaten following the kiddush, before washing for bread. Before partaking of the fruit we say the following blessing:
Ba-ruch a-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam bore pri ha-etz.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree.
3 ROUND Challah in Honey
Immediately following the kiddush (and on the second night, the eating of the new fruit), we perform the ritual washing for bread. Fill a large cup with water. Pass the cup to your left hand and pour three times over your right hand. Repeat by pouring on your left hand. As you wipe your hands recite the blessing:
Baruch atah A-donoy, Elo-heinu Melech Ha’Olam, asher kidshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu al netilat yadayim.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who sanctified with His Mitzvahs and commanded us on washing our hands.
When everyone has returned to the table, we raise the two challah loaves and recite the blessing:
Ba-ruch atah A-do-nay, E-lo-hei-nu Melech Ha-Olam, hamotzie le-chem min ha-are-tz.
[Blessed are You, L-rd, our G‑d, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.]
Cut the Challah, dip it in honey, and have a bite. Pass around pieces and make sure everyone does the same.
4 Apples and Honey
During Rosh Hashanah, it is traditional to eat apples dipped in honey, to symbolize our hopes for a “sweet” new year. The apple is dipped in honey, the blessing for eating tree fruits is recited, the apple is tasted, and then the apples and honey prayer is recited.
(If you already ate a new fruit on made a blessing on it, we do not say this blessing).
Barukh atah Ad-onai, El-oheinu, melekh ha’olam borei p’ri ha’eitz.
Blessed are you, L-rd, our G-d, king of the universe who creates the fruit of the tree. (Everyone says Amen)
Take a bite from the apple dipped in honey, then continue with the following:
y’hi ratzon mil’fanekha Adonai el-oheinu vei’-lohei avoteinu sh’t’chadeish aleinu shanah tovah um’tukah
May it be Your will, L-rd our G-d and God of our ancestors that you renew for us a good and sweet year.
5 Symbolic Foods
A head of a fish is served. We say “May it be your will Eternal God that we should be at the head and not at the tail”. Not only are we hoping to be the leaders in our lives, but also the head is a symbol of conscious living.
A pomegranate is eaten, symbolizing our wish to have a year full of mitzvot and good deeds. We say “May it be your will Eternal God that our year is filled with good deeds as a pomegranate is filled with luscious seeds”.
There is a custom to eat fish on Rosh Hashana. Fish multiply in great number. They never sleep. They swim in water. We hope the year will be one of plenty, just as fish are extremely fruitful. Just as fish never sleep, we hope to maintain a constant awareness of our mission in life. Since fish are underwater the evil eye cannot penetrate the depths, and we wish to be free of any negative wishes.
We also eat Leeks or Cabbage. These vegetables are known as karsi, related to the word karet, to cut off or destroy. As we eat it we say “May it be your will Eternal God that our enemies will be destroyed.”.
Beets are known as “silka,” related to the word “siluk,” meaning removal. The adversaries referred to in the prayer before eating the beet are the spiritual roadblocks created by the past year’s missteps that must be removed before a sweet New Year is granted. We say “May it be your will Eternal God that our adversaries will be removed.”
Dates are known as “tamri” is related to the word “tamri,” meaning consume or finish. This food is similar to the beets and leeks in that it is eaten with the intent that all enemies will end their detrimental wrath. We say “ May it be your will Eternal God that our enemies will be finished.
Throughout the meal, it is customary to also eat foods whose names in the vernacular allude to blessing and prosperity. For example, many have the custom of eating carrots because in Yiddish the word for carrots, meren, means to multiply.
6 Rosh Hashanah Cuisine
On Rosh Hashanah it is customary not to eat foods which are sour or tart (the gefilte fish will have to do without the horseradish…). Instead, the focus is on sweet foods, symbolizing our desire to have a sweet year, blessings and abundance. It is also customary not to eat nuts on Rosh Hashanah, as the numerical value of the Hebrew word for nuts (“egoz“) is the same as the Hebrew word for sin (“chet“).
FAST OF GEDALIAH – Monday September 18, 2023
Fast begins at 5:12AM and ends at 7:32 PM (Philadelphia Time)
This is a public Fast Day on which we commemorate the murder of Gedaliah ben Achikam, the governor appointed by the Babylonian king as ruler of the Jews in Israel.
The days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are called the Ten Days of Repentance. During these ten days, it is appropriate to do as many good deeds as possible. The Zodiac sign of this month of Tishrei is a pair of scales. Every Jew must look at these scales as though they are balanced and attempt to tip them in his favor through acts of loving kindness.
My Russian Video is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBPJEVVB3I8
Mystical Observances to Bring More Joy to a New Year
By Rebbetzin Yamima Mizrachi
• It’s vital not to get angry on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Don’t get stuck in worry, anger and definitely not in sadness. The way the year begins, is the way it will flow the coming year. Don’t allow yourself to speak badly.
• Before sitting down at the table look at everyone’s eyes and bless them each individually, feel forgiveness for everyone around you. Allow love and peace to enter your heart. Everyone should say a ‘L’Chaim’ out loud and bless each other with complete joy.
• The Rosh Hashanah the table should be filled with an abundance of colors, different types of foods.
• Apples & Honey: Use red apples, it is for an omen to find one’s soul mate/and for peace between spouses and for getting pregnant. It is a special holy time, before eating the apple, smell the apple and ask for whatever you want. It was at this time that Yakov received the blessing from his father Yitzchak. When he smelled Yakov he smelled the fragrance of Garden of Eden, of the apple, and even though he was undeserving of the blessing, due to the fact that it was supposed to go to his evil brother Esav, he still received it. Ask for anything you wish.
• Pomegranate: Ask G-d to bring out your potential. We all have potential; do we use it all? Ask Almighty for help. Just like it’s hard to take apart the seeds, please G-d help us realize our potential and be who we are meant to be.
• Leeks, Beets, Dates: Ask G-d to take away any feelings of resentment, anger, bitterness towards anyone. Ask Hashem to help us throw these feelings away from ourselves and remove them from our heart. Ask to enable you to be able to rebuild your feelings and relationship with these people.
• Fish Head: Ask G-d that you should lead your household and not anyone else (like our children who tend to control us…) when looking at the fish, ask Hashem to protect you from the evil eye.
• Get up early on Rosh Hashanah; this blesses the coming year with ease. A year that your wishes will be fulfilled quickly. Try to postpone your afternoon rest until after 1:00 PM.
• Very important to dress festively, even wear white and be HAPPY‼️
• Before hearing the shofar accept upon yourself to love your neighbor as you love yourself. If you hold a grudge towards someone, the shofar will not be able to ascend and sweeten the judgments.
• Very important to shed a tear during the shofar and to wipe the tear over your forehead (to wipe away transgressions). This serves as a shield for the entire year against any bad things i.e. illness. Whoever is able to shed a tear then can be rest assured that she is being judged at that moment!
• Don’t eat anything sour or spicy on Rosh Hashanah, only sweet foods. Everything that you do makes an impact on the entire year. Don’t use walnuts or black grapes.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -other suggestions:
1) Prepare table early in the afternoon, it is an omen that no troubles will come upon you the entire year.
2) Try not to speak idle talk, the morning of Rosh Hashanah. This way 1/3 of your transgressions will be wiped away.
3) Candles for Rosh Hashanah: before lighting give 18 of ‘something (coins, bills) to charity box: 18 cents, 18 dollars, etc. This serves as an atonement. Ask Hashem that if something bad is supposed to happen, let this charity stand as a protector against it.
4) Buy a new knife and use it on Rosh Hashanah eve to cut open the Challah and apple. It is an omen for a long life and for financial success.
5) Prayer after Meal: Say it with enthusiasm and joy, it is a good luck for financial abundance 6) Recite the Tehilim (Psalms of David) specifically Psalms 1-4 before sleeping on both nights to prevent bad dreams.
7) Buy a new dress/clothing for Rosh Hashanah.
INSPIRATIONAL STORIES FOR ROSH HASHANA
I served in the Israeli Navy in a submarine. Under the water, the means of communication is with the Morse code. (Morse code is a signal system comprised of sounds. Two sharp beeps represent one letter, two long beeps is another letter. One long beep and one short one is a third letter, and so on.) I was an expert in the Morse code. I could send and decipher messages very quickly. “A couple of years after serving in the navy (and after spending a long time in India) I saw an advertisement: The army was looking for a Morse code expert to be in charge of several submarines. To apply for the job, we had to be at a certain office between 10:00 and 12:00 in the morning. I arrived at 11:50. I saw a packed room with applicants, but no one was being called inside. There was music was playing in the background and I sat down for a few moments and listened. Then I got up, brazenly opened the door to the office and said, ‘I came for the interview.” “There are many people waiting in line ahead of you,” the secretary said. “And you just came. Wait your turn.” “But I didn’t listen to her. I walked into the room and talked with the person who was in charge. After speaking for a few moments, I was hired for the job.” The interviewer went out to the waiting room and told everyone that they can go home. “Thank you all for coming and I’m sorry about the delay. We’ve already chosen someone. You can all go home.” “It isn’t fair. This man came in last. Why did you interview him before us?” “Did you pay attention to the music that’s playing? Listen carefully. Don’t you get it? It is in Morse code and it’s saying, ‘If you’ve come for the interview, just open the door and come inside.’ This man heard the message. You didn’t hear, so you’re obviously not fluent enough in the language.” That’s how the irreligious man in the hospital understood the meaning of shofar (and we’re sharing it here because his interpretation is beautiful and true). The shofar is speaking a language. It’s telling us, “Just open the door and come inside. Change your ways and improve your connection with G-d.” We only need to understand the language of the shofar and understand what it’s telling us. One person waiting in the waiting room said, “I actually heard the Morse code in the music, but I decided not to open the door because I saw that no one else was.” “That’s not a valid excuse,” the interviewer told him. “If you heard the message, you should have come in. Why do you care what other people are doing?” Similarly, concerning the shofar, it will be inexcusable to say, “I heard the shofar’s message, I understood that it was calling me, but I decided not to since I don’t see other people repenting.” That’s not a valid excuse. If you understand the shofar’s message, you should open the door and come close to Almighty God, regardless of what others are doing.