Download pdf - Jewish Treats’ Complete Guide to Rosh Hashana

Complete Guide

to Rosh Hashana

Complete Guide

to Rosh Hashana

CREATED BY: NJOP ©

Jewish Treats Guide toGuide to Preparing a Seder

Jewish Treats Guide to Sukkot

Table of ContentsThe Names of Rosh Hashana ................................................2

Preparing for Rosh Hashana .................................................3

Holiday Greetings .................................................................4

Birthday of the World ............................................................5

Meaningful Foods .................................................................6

Levana Kirschenbaum’s Rosh Hashana Recipes ....................8

Insights into the Torah Reading...........................................10

Rosh Hashana Favorites......................................................11

The Stirring Sounds of the Shofar........................................12

Shofar Facts ........................................................................13

Prayers of the Day...............................................................14

Tashlich: Casting Away Sin..................................................16

Tashlich: A Prayer ...............................................................17

Game Corner......................................................................18

How to Make Rosh Hashana Meaningful for Kids ...............20

A Rosh Hashana Parable.....................................................21

The Next Step......................................................................22

Susie Fishbein’s Honey Cake Recipe ...................................23

Game Answer Key ..............................................................24

Glossary..............................................................................25


WELCOME TO JEWISH TREATS

Complete Guide to Rosh Hashana

Jewish Treats is delighted to introduce ournew eBook: Complete Guide to Rosh Hashana-your online resource for the Jewish New Year.This eBook includes a little of everything.Inside you will discover the significance ofpomegranates, the spiritual sounds of theshofar and the secrets of casting away sins.We’ve included some delicious recipes,fascinating facts, and lots of family fun as well!

Click here for a message from our Director.

Sing your way into Rosh Hashana! Enjoy Jewish Treats’“Soul Bigger (The Rosh Hashana Song)”

From everyone at NJOP and Jewish Treats,we wish you a sweet and happy New Year!

CreditsFounder:Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

Edited By:

Sarah Rochel Hewitt

Content:

Sarah Rochel Hewitt

Social Media:

Susanne Goldstone Rosenhouse

Graphic Design:

Van Huynh, Gilly Rosenthol

Contributors:

Rabbi Avrohom M. Alter,

Esti Berkowitz, Rabbi Yonah

Bookstein, Susie Fishbein,

Levana Kirshenbaum

Dedicated to my Rav and my friend Rabbi Yitzchak Rosenbaum,who has helped so many of his fellow Jews find their way to becoming

Frum Jews with his tireless patience for all. We wish him and his Rebbitzen much mazal and manysimchas when they move to Eretz Yisrael.

Yitzchak, you will be missed so very much.

With love and admiration, your student, and friend, Andy Siegel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKEyAauumkU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pflMP5Q13vY


Jewish Treats Complete Guide to Rosh Hashana 2

The Names of

ROSH HASHANA

This first of Tishrei is the Day of Judgment because it is Yom Hazikaron, the day on whichGod looks back and “remembers” our deeds, individually, collectively and historically (a recordof over 3,000 years of Jewish history). While remembering our deeds, God is able to judgeour actions and our growth as people.

Why is the first of Tishrei known as YomHazikaron? Because it is the anniversary of thecreation of the world (Yom Harat Olam--seepage 7). Since the annual cycle is now closing, itis the perfect time for reflection and judgment.This new beginning allows the people to enterthe new year with a clean slate. And since theold and the new years are seamless, today isalso Rosh Hashana, the head of the year, whenwe begin the new calendar year (e.g. from 5774to 5775).

Most everyone refers to Rosh Hashana as theJewish New Year. Indeed that is the best knownaspect of the holiday. But being the new year isactually only a secondary facet of this joyful holiday.

There are several names for the first of Tishrei,each of which reflects a different aspect of theholiday.

In the Torah, the day is called Yom Teruah, referring to the staccato sound blown on theshofar. The Teruah of the shofar serves as a callto attention to the Jewish people, alerting themthat this day is Yom Hadin, the Day of Judgment.

More Than Just a New Year’s Celebration

Yom Teruahmeans “The Day of the Sounding(of the Shofar).”

Yom Hadinmeans “The Day of Judgment.”

Yom Hazikaronmeans “The Day of Remembering.”

Yom Harat Olammeans “The Day of the Birth of the World.”

Rosh Hashana means “Head of the Year.”


PREPARING FORRosh Hashana

Imagine receiving a notice from the IRS that you aregoing to be audited in one month. You become frantic.After all, receipts and credit slips are scattered indrawers and piles throughout the house. Now youhave only a month to find them. The beginning of themonth of Elul marks the one month “notice” until the“Divine audit” is to take place on Rosh Hashana.

Throughout the month of Elul, Jews search for everyreceipt and credit slip left by their behavior.

“Did I belittle the secretary who couldn’t remembermy name?” “Did I borrow $20 and forget to returnit?” “Last week, I did help my elderly neighbor carryin her groceries.” “Did I…?”

Elul is the time to look back over the past year, sortout our strengths and weaknesses, and see what impact our deeds have had. Like sorting the receipts,we can place our actions into little piles: wrong toGod, our fellow humans or even ourselves, andgood to God, our fellow humans or ourselves.Sometimes an action may fall intoseveral categories.Reviewing our behavior is, accordingto the medievalscholar Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (Maimonides/Rambam), the first step in the teshuva (repentance)process. The Jewish view of repentance goes muchfurther than mere regret. Teshuva is a proactiveprocess that recognizes our fallibility and our abilityto change.

People err. The Bible is full of people “messing up.”What is important, however, is that one learn fromhis/her mistakes. The first step in setting thingsstraight is recognizing the problem and ceasing theincorrect behavior. For many, recognizing a negativebehavior is painfully difficult. After all, it’s so easy tojustify our actions -- “Well, he shouldn’t have cut meoff, I had every right to yell at him!” “The govern-ment already gets enough money, I don’t have todeclare this on my taxes!” “Hey, so what if I toldthem that I saw her out late last night? Everybodyknows she’s a real partier!” But rationalizationsdon’t render the actions correct, they only make therationalizers feel better about their behavior. Admitting that an action was wrong, or that it mayhave hurt someone, takes courage and honesty.Stopping the behavior is an even greater challenge.

While people should really strive to improve them-selves throughout the year, as the month of Elul begins and the shofar is sounded*, we are remindedthat there is just one month left. Thirty days remainto check one’s balance and settle old accounts. Byusing Elul to prepare, one is able to face the Divineaudit on Rosh Hashana with clarity and confidence,knowing that one has moved toward his/her spiritual goal and has made a better connectionwith the power of the day, and with God.

* It is customary for the shofar to be sounded in thesynagogue at every morning service throughout themonth of Elul, except for Shabbat and the day beforeRosh Hashana

Maimonides Four Steps of Teshuva1. Recognize and discontinue the improper action.

2. Verbally confess the action, thus giving the action a concrete form in your own mind.

3. Regret the action. Evaluate the negative impactthis action may have had on yourself or on others.

4. Determine never to repeat the action.



Holiday

GREETINGSThe standard pre-Rosh Hashana greeting of “K’tivava’chatima tova” (“May you be written and sealedfor good”) is deduced from a Talmudic discussionconcerning the three heavenly books that areopened during the High Holidays.

Rabbi Jochanan (as quoted by Rabbi Kruspedai)clarified that on the New Year three Divine booksare opened. There is a book for the completelywicked, a book for the completely righteous and abook for those in the middle. According to RabbiAvin, the existence of these books is alluded to inPsalms 69:29: “Let them be blotted out of the bookof the living, and not be written with the righteous.”According to Rabbi Nahman ben Isaac, Moses actu-ally refers to the book in Exodus 32:32: “...blot me, Ipray You, out of Your book which You have written”(Rosh Hashana 16b).

Both of the proof-texts brought in the Talmud appear torefer only to a Book of the Righteous. Since traditionhas it that the world is balanced between extremes(prophecy was balanced by idolatry, Moses was bal-anced by Bilaam), a Book of the Wicked must alsoexist. This, of course, leaves a gap for those who areneither completely righteous nor completely wicked...inother words, the majority of humanity. Thus, it couldonly be assumed that there is a third book.

Rabbi Kruspedai further explains that on the first nightof Rosh Hashana the completely righteous and thecompletely wicked are immediately written into theirrespective books. But, “the judgment of the intermedi-ate group is written, but not finalized, from the NewYear till the Day of Atonement [when it is sealed].”

Because of the “suspended” status of most peoplebetween Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, after thefirst night of Rosh Hashana the greeting to friends is altered to “G’mar chatima tova” (“May your conclusion be sealed for good”).



The Names of

ROSH HASHANAAccording to Jewish tradition, the world ages by one yeareach Rosh Hashana and is now in its 57th century. Thisclaim easily stirs up sharp debate. How, it is often asked,can one say that the world is less than 5,800 years oldwhen carbon dating “proves” that certain fossils aremillions of years old? Science and religion often seem inconflict with one another, but only at first glance.

While Rosh Hashana is considered the first day of theyear, it is actually only the beginning of the countingof the years of the world. The Torah recounts that ittook “six days” to create the world, and on the sixthday God created the human being. According tothe Midrash, until Adam was formed, the worldwas static. Only after Adam was created andprayed for rain, did the world come to life.

Think of it like conception and birth. The world wasconceived six days before Rosh Hashana, which was“Day One” of Creation. The next five days were agestational period, when the world was formed and developed. Birth, the completion of the world, only occurred on the sixth day with the introduction of Adam.

More than just the world “came to life” with the creationof Adam, the world acquired time then as well. Prior toAdam, no one noted when the sun rose or set, or themoon waxed and waned or whether there were seasons.No one can say with certainty how long the days of creation were because there were no human beings tomark the beginning and end of a day.

Days turned into weeks, weeks to months and monthsto years. The natural seasons changed and the appleswere once again full on the trees. The first of Tishrei,Adam’s birthday, thus became the new year in the cyclical count of years as well as the new year for theaccounting for tithing produce.



Meaningful

FOODSKiddush, sanctification, is the recitation pronounced overwine and/or grape juice through which Jews proclaimthe uniqueness of the holidays and Shabbat. The formulaon the eve of a holiday is composed of two blessings:one over the wine and the other over the holiness of theday.

Following Kiddush, the blessing over bread is recited overtwo round challahs. The round shape, which is distinct forthe holiday as opposed to the traditional braided challahof Shabbat, is symbolic on several levels. First, the roundshape represents the circle of life, which is apropos forthe Day of Judgment. Additionally, the circle recalls thecycle of the year, since one year moves immediately intothe next. Finally, the round challahs are considered sym-bolic of royalty, reminding one of a crown.

Just as it is common to wish our friends, family andneighbors “l’shana tova u’metuka” (May you have a goodand sweet year), so too, the challahs served on RoshHashana are often made with additional honey or sugarto make them sweeter. Raisins are often added as well.

One of the best known and most enjoyable customs ofRosh Hashana is the addition of symbolic foods at thebeginning of the evening meal. This custom is recordedin the Talmud: “Said Abaye: Since you hold that symbolsare meaningful, every man should make it a habit onRosh Hashana to eat pumpkin, fenugreek, leek, beet anddates” (Kritot 6a). While these foods are noted as beingconnected to fertility, abundance and quick growth, theyare also words with double meanings, for instance, theHebrew word for dates is t’marim, which is related to theHebrew word la’toom, meaning “to consume.” BecauseRosh Hashana is the Day of Judgment for all nations, thesages interpreted their inclusion on the Rosh Hashanamenu as a means of asking God to help the Children ofIsrael consume their enemies.

APPLES AND HONEYA slice of apple isdipped in honey,and the blessing for thefruit of the tree is recited:

Baruch Ah’tah Ah’doh’nai, Eh’lo’hay’nuMelech Ha’olam, bo’ray p’ree ha’etz.

Blessed are You Lord, our God, Ruler of theworld, Creator of the fruit of the tree.

Take a bite and then recite the followingbrief prayer:

“May it be Your will, Lord, our God and theGod of our forefathers, that You renew forus a good and sweet year.”

DATEST’marim--from the wordla’toom, “to consume”

“May it be Your will, Lord, our Godand the God of our forefathers, thatour enemies be consumed.”

Some people eat the date first because it is one of the fruits forwhich the Land of Israel is known.



SQUASHKara--from the wordlikroah, “to tear”

“May it be Your will, Lord, our God and theGod of our forefathers, that the decree ofour sentence be torn asunder; and may ourmerits be proclaimed before You.”

BLACK-EYED PEASRubia--from the word l’harboht, “to increase”

CARROTSMerrin--from the Yiddish word “more”

“May it be Your will, Lord, our God and the Godof our forefathers, that our merits increase.”

POMEGRANATESIt is said that each pomegranate has

613 seeds, representing the 613commandments of the Torah.

“May it be Your will, Lord, our Godand the God of our forefathers, that

our merits be as plentiful as the seeds ofa pomegranate.”

HEAD OF A SHEEP/FISHSome have a custom to have the head of asheep or a fish on the table and to say:

“May it be Your will, Lord, our God and theGod of our forefathers, that we be as thehead and not as the tail.”

FISHA fish is considered to be a symbol of fertility and blessing.

“May it be Your will, Lord, ourGod and the God of our fore-fathers, that we be fruitful andmultiply like fish.”

NUTSOn Rosh Hashana, nuts are not eaten since the numeric value of the word fornut, egoz, is equivalent to thenumeric value for the word forsin, chet.



1/3 cup olive oil2 large red onions, quartered2-inch piece ginger, grated1 tablespoon curry, a little more if

you like it hotter3 large carrots, grated

(about 4 cups packed)1/4 cup maple syrup3 quarts (12 cups) water1/2 cup millet

(or other quick-cooking grain:steel-cut oats, teff, amaranth, etc.)

1 teaspoon allspice2 teaspoons cinnamon1 tablespoon orange zestSalt to tasteFreshly ground pepper to taste

The Names of

ROSH HASHANAGF Gluten-FreeGFA Gluten-Free AdaptableP Passover

Carrot Ginger SoupGF

Starring the humble carrot, with all the flavorings that complementit. Don’t be afraid of serving it to guests--it doesn’t taste nearly asmodest as the ingredient list reads.

Heat the oil in heavy pot. In a food processor, coarsely grindthe onions and add to the hot oil. Reduce the flame tomedium and fry, stirring occasionally until very dark brown.This step will take about 20 minutes. Add the ginger and curryand cook, stirring 2 more minutes. Add all but last ingredient.Bring to a boil. Reduce the flame to medium and cook coveredfor 30 minutes. Adjust the texture and seasonings.

Makes a dozen ample servings.

Lévana Kirschenbaum was co-owner of Levana Restaurant on Manhattan’sUpper West Side (alas, recently closed after thirty two years), and the pioneer inkosher upscale dining. She is a cooking teacher and cookbook author, and getscountless devoted fans for her fearless, practical and nutritious approach tocooking. She gives weekly cooking demos and gives cooking demo engage-ments around the country. She has published Levana’s Table: Kosher Cookingfor Everyone, Levana Cooks Dairy-Free! and a book-dvd set based on her demoseries called “In Short Order.” She has just published her latest cookbook: TheWhole Foods Kosher Kitchen: Glorious Meals Pure and Simple. She is launch-ing a line of all-natural spelt desserts, called, what else, Lévana. Her weeklycooking demos take place at her apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side:Get ready for dinner and a show! Go onto her website to find out more abouther demos, cookbooks, desserts, and entertaining stories atwww.levanacooks.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Whole-Foods-Kosher-Kitchen-Glorious/dp/1616082925/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1302206586&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Whole-Foods-Kosher-Kitchen-Glorious/dp/1616082925/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1302206586&sr=1-1

http://www.levanacooks.com/


4 cups soft and plump pitted dates,packed (about 1 1/2 pounds)

1/2 cup agave syrup1 cup tahini (sesame paste)1 cup flax meal (health food stores)3–4 cups crunchy granola

(page 231 in my cookbook, or settle for a good store-bought crunchy brand), finely crumbled

Date Power BarsGFA, P

Dates have a unique texture, and people are often skeptical about eatingthem. These bars make the controversial dates invisible, and are not onlya delicious way of including them in the simanim (and making dates kid-friendly), but they are packed with nutrients. In fact, if you have evertaken the time to read the ingredient list in some commercial brands ofgranola bars, they are not the healthy snacks they are cracked up to be.By contrast, just look at this lineup of flavors! They keep very well in a tinor in the freezer--no need to wipe them all out, so behave please!

In a food processor, process the dates and agave until a perfectlysmooth paste forms.

Transfer to a bowl and add all but last ingredient. Combine thoroughly(it will be sticky, be patient). Press the mixture firmly into a greasedcookie sheet, about 1/2 inch high. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into 1-inchx 3-inch bars. Store refrigerated in airtight tins. Makes about 5 dozen.

Variations:• Substitute other dry fruit for the dates• Substitute chopped toasted nuts for the granola, in equal amounts• Throw in 2 cups unsweetened grated coconut• Substitute other ground seed or nut flour for the flax meal• Substitute any nut butter for the tahini

1 whole side salmon, no skin, nobones, about 3 pounds, trimmed

1 large red onion, sliced very thin(use the food processor)

1/4 cup olive oil1 cup pomegranate juice1/4 cup unfiltered apple cider vinegar2 tablespoons tomato pasteSalt and pepper to taste1 teaspoon turmeric

Salmon in Pomegranate Sweet-and-Sour SauceGF, P

Sweet-and-sour combinations workbeautifully with salmon. The onionscaramelize and contribute a sweetcounterpoint to the vinegar. Another quickand delicious dish, just the way I like it--onepan, one step.

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place thesalmon in a pan just large enough to accommodate the fish in one layer. Scatter the onions on top and on thesides of the fish. Mix the oil, jucie, vinegar, tomato paste, salt, pepper,and turmeric in a bowl, and pour over the fish.

Cook about 20 minutes, or a tiny bit more until the fish flakes easily andthe liquids thicken. Serve hot or at room temperature. Makes 8 maincourse servings or a dozen or more first course servings.


Insights into the Torah Reading

THE STORY OF ISAACTORAH READING SUMMARY (DAY ONE):(Genesis 21:1-34) On the first day of Rosh Hashana,the Torah reading relates the story of the miraculousbirth of Isaac:

At the time of Isaac’s birth, Abraham was 100 years old,and Sarah was 90. As commanded by God, Abrahamcircumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old.As Isaac grew older, Sarah noticed that Ishmael (Abraham’s son with Sarah’s handmaid Hagar) played“mockingly” with Isaac. The Midrash (legend) explainsthat the Hebrew word for mocking, mitzachek, oftenconnotes sexual immorality, war games and idolatry.Sarah saw that Isaac’s half-brother, who was 13 yearshis senior, was corrupting her child, so she went toAbraham and demanded that he banish Ishmael fromtheir home. When Abraham hesitated, God instructedAbraham to do as Sarah said. Additionally, God promised Abraham that while his seed would come togreatness through Isaac, Ishmael and his descendantswould also come to be a great nation.

The next morning, Hagar and Ishmael departed fromthe camp and wandered in the wilderness. While theyhad left with provisions, they soon ran out of water.God responded to Hagar’s cries and an angel appeared and comforted her. Hagar then noticed anearby well. After recovering from their thirst, they remained in the wilderness, where Ishmael thrived.

TORAH READING SUMMARY (DAY TWO):(Genesis 22:1-24) “And it happened after thesethings that God tested Abraham and said to him,‘Abraham.’

And he replied, ‘Here I am.’

And [God] said, ‘Please take your son, your only one,whom you love--Isaac--and get yourself to the land ofMoriah. Bring him up there for an offering, upon oneof the mountains which I shall indicate to you.’”

They arose early in the morning, and Abraham,Isaac and two servants headed off toward Moriah.On the third day, they reached Mount Moriah, andfather and son began their ascent to the top.

Isaac questioned his father about the fact that theyhad fire and wood with them, but no lamb to sacrifice.Abraham replied, “God will seek out for himself thelamb for the offering, my son.” They continued theirascent together in silence. The Midrash notes thatthis tells us that Isaac now understood their true des-tination and had accepted his fate.

At the top of the mountain, Abraham built an altar,arranged the wood and bound Isaac, placing himon top of the altar.

Once Abraham held the knife in his hand, ready todo as he had been commanded, an angel of Godcalled out to him: “Do not stretch out your handagainst the lad, nor do anything to him, for now Iknow that you are a God-fearing man, since youhave not withheld your son, your only one, fromMe.” Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught inthe thickets nearby. This ram was sacrificed to Godinstead of Isaac.

My favorite part is sharingthe honey and apples. [Also,]to always remember that evenwhen times are sad or difficultthere is always some sweetness in life and in having faith in God. O.N.P.

The blowing of the shofar whichbrings us closer to Hashem! H.K.

My favorite aspect isgetting to go home and spend time with family andeat mom’s great homemade Jewish cooking! C.K.

Love the holiness and enjoybeing with family and friends. N.S.W.

The apples and honey. They make theNew Year SO sweet J.E.

Making a beautiful local organic harvest meal for family! L.B.

I hope to get more involved in thesmall Jewish community of Estero. C.K.

The Avinu Malkeinu isso powerful I love it. Alsoplenty of apples and honey. N.B.

My favorite aspect of Rosh Hashana is thesense of renewal it brings. To me, it meansa fresh start, as does Yom Kippur, which gives me a sense of cleansing my soul asI ask forgiveness of all the people who Imay have hurt throughout the year. D.S.

I am going to put more emphasison my standing in relation toothers, working harder towarddialogue. Like Martin Buber said relation is reciprocity. M.S.

I hope to liveeveryday assweetly as the next. J.A.


WE ASKED: WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO DO DIFFERENTLY IN THE YEAR TO COME?

WE ASKED: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF ROSH HASHANA?

Rosh Hashana FAVORITES We asked the Jewish Treats Facebook Fansand @JewishTweets followers to share theirthoughts on Rosh Hashana!

https://www.facebook.com/JewishTreats

https://twitter.com/jewishtweets


The Stirring Sounds

of the SHOFARThe Shofar ServiceHearing the sound of the shofar on both days ofRosh Hashana is the primary mitzvah (obligation) ofevery adult Jew (unless the first day falls on Shab-bat, the only day the shofar is not sounded). Theshofar may be made from the horn of a kosher ani-mal, although traditionally a ram’s horn is used. Inorder to fulfill the mitzvah of hearing the shofar, onemust hear a minimum of 30 shofar blasts in thespecific order set by the sages. In most congrega-tions, however, a total of 100 shofar blasts aresounded at the service. During the sounding of theshofar, it is important that the congregation remainsilent, so that everyone may focus properly and hearall the sounds.

The Torah refers to the sounding of the shofar as ateruah, but it does not specifically describe thesound. The sages debated (Talmud Rosh Hashana33b) whether it is a deep sigh or a short piercingcry. To compromise on the different opinions of thesages, three different sounds are blown upon theshofar. The combination of sounds represents thedepths of emotion that standing before the King ofKings should evoke within a person.

The tekiah, which is a strong solid blast, is like theblast of the trumpet at a king’s coronation, remind-ing us that God is the King of Kings. In the Talmud(Berachot 28b), Rabbi Eliezer states famously:“Know before Whom you stand.” This is the purposeof the tekiah, to remind us that we are standing be-fore God, our Creator, Who loves us and judges uswith mercy.

The shevarim, on the other hand, is composed ofthree medium blasts, like deep sighs or gentle cry-ing. As we recognize all that God does for theworld, and all that we potentially could be doing,how could we not sigh in acknowledgment of the in-adequacies of our own lives and the insolence ofour constant complaints.

The teruah, nine short sharp blasts, reminiscent ofthe sound of sobbing, is the recognition that theyear is coming to a close, and that the time forteshuvah (repentance) is fleeting. This is the feelingone might have when recognizing all of the missedopportunities to do things in a better way.

Crying, the sounds of which the shofar imitates, isoften critical in the process of repentance. The rab-bis tell us that the gates of heaven are never closedto tears, and through our tears we can try to washaway that which has passed.


Shofar FACTS

The different “notes” of the shofar are known as tekiot.

Although a ram’s horn is preferable, the horn need only come from a kosher animal. (If one has absolutely no other options, however, one may use the horn of a non-kosher animal, but cannot then recite the blessings over hearing the tekiot.)

The horns of a cow are solid bone and are thus invalid for the making of a shofar.The same is true of antlers.

Shofars are shaped (straightened or bent) by applying heat.

The outside of a shofar may be engraved for decoration.

One may not elongate a shofar by adding material (even natural material taken from a horn) to the shofar.If the shofar is too long, one may cut it.

Gold or silver or any other foreign material, may not be placed near either end of the shofar.If the weight of the metal does not alter the sound, however, metal may be used to decorate the outside surface of the shofar.

Hearing the shofar is one of the few acts that can be fulfilled witha stolen instrument. One may use a stolen shofar because,according to Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (Maimonides,Rambam), the actual mitzvah is to hear the sound,and sound cannot be stolen. (A hypothetical situation,one would hope, since stealing is forbidden.)

Jewish Treats Complete Guideto Rosh Hashana 14

Prayers of

THE DAYThe Themes of Rosh HashanaThe Amidah of Mussaf, the silent prayer of the additional service that follows the Torah reading,emphasizes the three main themes of RoshHashana: Kingship, Remembrance and Shofar.

KINGSHIP: The blessing of “Kingship” is intro-duced with Aleinu, a prayer that is actually recited atthe conclusion of every daily prayer service. Aleinuperfectly summarizes what “Kingship” is all about. Itbegins with: “It is our obligation to praise the Mas-ter of all, to ascribe greatness to the Creator of thebeginning...But we bend our knees, bow and ac-knowledge our thanks before the King who reignsover kings...” Beyond acknowledging that God is theKing of Kings, Aleinu asserts the importance of theJewish nation recognizing not only His sovereigntyover them, but their need to place their trust in Him.

REMEMBRANCE: “Remembrance” reminds us thattoday is the Day of Judgment and that on this dayGod is judging every person’s actions and weighingeach person’s future. The prayers for “Remem-brance” focus on God’s ability to truly remember, tolook at the life of a person or a nation, and to un-derstand all the motivations and thoughts that led aperson to his/her decisions and to justly reward orpunish them for their actions. In other words, noth-ing gets past God!

SHOFAR: “Shofar” is a description of the gloriousscene on Mount Sinai on the day God gave theTorah, when “the sound of the shofar became in-creasingly strong, Moses would speak and Godwould respond with a voice.” And it is said, “And theentire people ‘saw’ the sounds and the flames andthe sound of the shofar and the smoking mountain,and the people saw and trembled and stood fromafar” (Exodus 19:19, 20:15). The section of the“Shofar” concludes with a blessing that beseechesGod to both sound the great blast of the shofar thatwill announce the final redemption, and to hear thesound of the shofar blown by the Children of Israelon this Rosh Hashana.


Prayers of

THE DAYAvinu MalkeinuNo prayer so thoroughly captures the Jewish people’s dual relationship with God as Avinu Malkeinu, “Our Father, Our King.”

The formula of this prayer, which has been expanded throughoutthe centuries to include a total of 44 verses, is based on the prayerthat Rabbi Akiva, one of the greatest Talmudic sages, recited during adrought. After the community’s prayers had brought no relief, RabbiAkiva called out to God, “Our Father, Our King, we have no king but You.Our Father, Our King, for Your sake have mercy upon us!” The rains immediately began to fall. By addressing God as both Father and King, weare directing our prayers through two different venues.

From a father, one expects mercy, love and forgiveness. A father looks at his child and sees only that child, that special individual, his own fleshand blood, and instinctively feels mercy for the child. Certainly we wish to address our petitions to God’s aspect of mercy on the Day of Judgment.

On the other hand, a king controls the fate of his subjects. He rules withjudgment and justice. Therefore, we must also address our prayers to thisaspect of God during Rosh Hashana (and through Yom Kippur). After all,this is the time that God sits with His books of judgment open before Him.By referring to God as our “King,” we remind ourselves that while He lovesus as a father, we must also be in awe of His greatness.

'oh¦G…g©n UbœŠC ih¥t hˆF 'Ubb…g³u Ub¯Bj !Ub‡F‰k©n Ubhˆc¨t/Ub‡gh¦JIv±u s¤x¤j²u ves‰m Ub¨Nˆg v¥G…g

Our Father, our King, be gracious with us and answer us, though wehave no worthy deeds; treat us with charity and kindness, and save us.

Avinu Malkeinu chaneinu va’aneinu, kee ain banu ma’a’seem, a’saiheemanu tz’dakah va’chesed v’hoshee’einu.


TASHLICH Casting Away Sins

More Than Bread CrumbsThe Rosh Hashana tashlich ceremony is a traditionthat is held dear throughout the many diverse Jewishcommunities. Tashlich literally translates as “You willthrow.” But what, exactly, is it?

What? Tashlich is meant to be a symbolic physicalrepresentation of casting away one’s sins. Alongwith a selection of Psalms and supplications, Micah7:18-20 is repeatedly recited: “Who is a God likeYou, pardoning iniquity and forgiving transgressionto the remainder of His heritage. He retains not Hisanger forever, because He delights in kindness. Hewill again have mercy on us. He will suppress ouriniquities; yes, You will cast our sins into the depthof the sea.”

Where? The reference in Micah to the depth of thesea appears to be the source for the custom of reciting tashlich next to a body of water, such as alake or a river (or an ocean, of course) in which fishlive. As long as one can see the water, even from adistance (even by climbing to the rooftop of a building),one may recite tashlich.

When? Tashlich is usually performed in the lateafternoon on the first day of Rosh Hashana. However,if one is unable to do tashlich at that time, the ceremony may be performed until Hoshana Raba. If the first day of Rosh Hashana is on Shabbat,Ashkenazim wait until the second day.

Although descriptions of tashlich often include thecasting of bread crumbs, feeding wild animals isprohibited on Shabbat and the holidays. The castingof bread is a poetic physical expression of tashlich,but is not necessary to the ceremony. This custommay have evolved from the Chassidic custom of intentionally shaking off crumbs to represent castingaway sins.


A Tashlich

PRAYERby Rabbi Yonah Bookstein

King David writes inPsalms, "Out of the nar-rows of distress I calledupon God, God answeredme with liberation"(118:5). With these wordswe introduce the blowingof the shofar on RoshHashana.

With these same wordswe metaphorically castour sins, represented by

bread crumbs, into fresh waters during Tashlich.Tashlich is generally performed in the afternoon onthe first day of Rosh Hashana. However, tashlich canstill be performed all the way until Hoshanah Rabbah,which is according to Kabbalah, the last opportunityfor repentance. The custom of tashlich is based onthe words of the prophet Micah, "And You shall castall their sins into the depths of the sea" (7:19) and ispracticed in most Ashkenazi and Sephardic commu-nities around the world.

Why do tashlich? Tashlich is a way to unlock one ofthe spiritual missions of Rosh Hashana--praying forour sins to be washed away and for God to redeemthe Jewish people.

The Me’am Loaz, an 18th century Ladino commentary,points out that King David wrote “Out of the nar-rows...” after being delivered from death. Just asKing David did not despair of redemption, we arenot to give up hope even in the midst of the mostterrible distress.

When I perform tashlich, standing by living water, inthe presence of God, I pour out my heart and askGod to wash away the barriers to spiritual and personal growth. I ask God to liberate me from allthe bad traits and habits that got me into troublethis past year--those things which lead me awayfrom my true mission in life.

No doubt, we all have something from this last yearthat we need God’s help to cleanse.

After I meditate on that for a while, I repeat oncemore the words of King David, “Out of the narrowsof distress I called upon God, God answered mewith liberation.”

Rabbi Yonah Bookstein is a leading voice of the NextGeneration of American Jewry. He is an internationallyrecognized leader in Jewish innovation, with 25years experience in the United States, Israel, andEurope. He is an Oxford educated Fulbright Fellow,past member of the Forward 50, a 2009 JewishCommunity Hero contest winner and former Director of the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation inPoland. Rabbi Yonah is director of JConnect & Jewlicious, lives in Los Angeles with his wife Rachel,Co-Director of Jewlicious Festivals, and their fourfabulous children.

http://rabbiyonah.com/


GameCORNER

Rosh Hashana crossword puzzle*Answers on page 26

Please do not complete this puzzle on Shabbat or Festival Days.

Across2. Rosh Hashana is the beginning of the5. Shape of challahs on Rosh Hashana6. Rosh Hashana is the Day of8. The Hebrew word for repentence10. Symbol of a sweet new year11. The blasts on the shofar are known as12. Biblical character whose birth is described on

Rosh Hashana

Down1. Prayer over wine3. Famous fruit eaten on Rosh Hashana4. The Hebrew word for head7. The ceremony of “casting one’s sins” into water9. We blow the


Rosh HashanaWORD SEARCH

*Answers on page 26

R E V S R L L O A E E R

S T A M P A E M G T T V

H R E D A T E S E K A D

E A N R E R A R N A N H

V A E V U I E T A A A U

A N A H S A H H S O R H

R A V U G E H K I N G M

I A I E T O H A I K E T

M E T U K A T A L T M O

S R E O S K A S U E O V

K T A E A E S K L K P A

M T K M P R A Y E R H A

DatesElulKingMetukaPomegranatePrayer

RamRosh HashanaShevarimTekiahTeruahTova

Please do not complete this puzzle on Shabbat or Festival Days.

Words can be found vertically, horizontally, diagonally and, in some cases, may be spelled backwards.


How to Make Rosh Hashana Meaningful FOR KIDS

Rosh Hashana is just around the corner, and parentseverywhere are busy making plans and settingmenus for this yearly family celebration. Amidst allof these preparations, it is easy for families to losesite of the meaning of Rosh Hashana.

Here are three ways that parents can help theirchildren actualize the meaning of Rosh Hashana:

The power of giving Tzedaka (charitable donation) isone of the ways that helps us repent and helps en-sure that our prayers are answered on RoshHashana. The entire family can be involved in se-lecting a single charity. Here are some options:Think about a family that might not have the finan-cial resources to shop for a special Rosh Hashanameal, or perhaps there is a family that is unable toprepare a meal nor be in synagogue because theyhave to spend Rosh Hashana in the hospital.

The significance of asking for forgiveness is verypowerful. It is not easy to remember all of the thingswe need to ask forgiveness for, and it is not easy toask forgiveness from somebody. Have everybodythink about forgiveness in another way with a for-giveness box. Take an empty shoe box and make aslit in the top cover. Put this box in a place the entirefamily can see it and in the days leading up to RoshHashana, each member of the family can add notesabout things for which they might need to ask for-giveness (fighting with sibling, parent yelling at onechild when angry at another). Small children canmake simple pictures to express their feelings. Atthe Rosh Hashana meal, the box can be openedand shared (anonymously) with the entire family.

There are so many fantastic foods that symbolizeour desire to have a sweet new year. Since kids loveto bake, pick a recipe for Honey Cake (see page 25)and make it together. In honor of the custom of dipping an apple in honey for a sweet new year, youcan also go apple picking as a family, thus bringinga truly special touch to your Rosh Hashana meal.

Enjoy this time with your children and may you allhave a L’Shana Tova!

Esti Berkowitz blogs at primetimeparenting.com,a blog that was started to share how she foundkosher food, a husband and had children after 35.

http://www.primetimeparenting.com/


A Rosh Hashana PARABLEThe Teacupby Rabbi Avrohom M. Alter

“Behold, I set before you today, a blessing and a curse”God announces to the Jewish people in “Behold, I set be-fore you today, a blessing and a curse” God announces tothe Jewish people in Deuteronomy (11:26).

So where is the blessing already? Why does it so oftenseem to be the opposite? Challenges, trials, tribula-tions, anxiety and yes…pain and suffering! The answerperhaps is that we need to readjust our perspective-- togaze anew, from a fresh viewpoint, that which He be-stows upon us--to trust, to understand, and YES, toKNOW, that all that He bequeaths (no matter how itfeels) is ultimately for our good, even when we searchfor understanding!

Perhaps the following story will help us better understand:

There was a couple who used to go to England to shopin the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques andpottery and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

One day in this charming little shop they saw a lovelyteacup. “May we see that?” they asked, “We’ve neverseen one quite so beautiful.” As the lady handed the cupto them, it suddenly began to speak.

“You don’t understand,” the teacup said. “I haven’talways been a teacup. There was a time when I wasred, and I was clay. My master took me, rolled me, andpatted me over and over. I yelled out, ‘Let me alone!’But he only smiled. ‘Not yet,’ he said.

“Then I was placed on a spinning wheel,” the teacupcontinued, “and suddenly I was spun around andaround and around. ‘Stop it! I’m getting dizzy!’ Iscreamed. But the master only nodded and said again,‘Not yet.’

“Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat.Iwondered why he wanted to burn me. I yelled andknocked at the door. I could see him through the open-ing and could read his lips as he shook his head saying,‘Not yet.’

“Finally the door opened. He put me on the shelf, and Ibegan to cool. ‘There, that’s better,’ I said. Then hebrushed me and painted me all over. The fumes werehorrible. I thought I would choke. ‘Stop it, stop it!’ I cried,but he only nodded and said, ‘Not yet.’

“Then suddenly he put me back into the oven. This time,however, it was twice as hot, and I was sure I would suf-focate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All thetime I could see him throughthe opening, nodding hishead saying, ‘Not yet.’

“At this point I knew there wasn’t any hope. I wouldnever make it. I was ready to give up. Then, at the lastmoment, the door opened, he took me out and placedme on the shelf. An hour later he handed me a mirror. Icouldn’t believe it was me. ‘It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful.’

“’I want you to remember, then,’ he said, ‘I know ithurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone,you would have dried up. I know it made you dizzy tospin around on the wheel, but had I stopped, you wouldhave crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and dis-agreeablein the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, youwould havecracked. I know the fumes were horriblewhen I painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that,you would have never hardened. You would not havehad any color in your life. And if I hadn’t put you backin that second oven, you wouldn’t have survived for verylong. You wouldn’t have been sufficiently durable.

“’Now you are a finished product. You are what I had inmind when I first began with you.’”

The moral of this story: God knows what He’s doing forall of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He willmold us and shape us, so that we may be fashionedinto a flawless object, so we can fulfill His perfect will.Being God’s vessel is ultimately the best, most perfectblessing for us all!

Rabbi Avrohom M. Alter is a rabbi at the Yeshiva MigdalTorah - The Jewish Learning Center in Chicago, Il.This article originally appeared in NJOP’s Bereshith, ‘In The Beginning,’ a newsletter for Beginners by Beginners.

http://njop.org/resources/publications-archive/bereshith-newsletters/


The Next

STEPThe Ten Days of RepentanceOn Rosh Hashana, God judges the world (and allthe people in the world), but their fates are notsealed until ten days later, on Yom Kippur. It is duringthese ten days that we must present a compellingcase of our worthiness to the heavenly court.

These ten days that start on Rosh Hashana andconclude on Yom Kippur are known as the AseretY’mei Teshuva, Ten Days of Repentance. During thistime, people make a special effort to make amendsboth with their fellow humans and with God.

Jewish tradition teaches that there are three criticaltools to make our appeal successful: Teshuva, Tefila,U’Tzedaka (Repentance, Prayer and Charity).

Teshuva, repentance, is the major focus of theHigh Holiday season both before and after RoshHashana. During the Ten Days of Repentance, it iscustomary to scrutinize one’s actions and to reviewthe process of teshuva that was begun during Elul,the month preceding Rosh Hashana. Many peoplemake extra efforts at self-improvement during theTen Days.

Tefila, prayer, is always an important element inJewish life, but there is no time in the Jewish calendar that God is more “available” than duringthe beginning days of Tishrei.

Jewish prayer is a complex, multi-layered activity.The sages refer to prayer as avodah, service, thesame term used to describe the sacrificial service inthe Holy Temple. However, since the destruction ofthe Second Temple in 70 C.E., prayer has becomeour primary means of “connecting” with God.

But avodah also means work--giving something ofourselves to God. But what benefit could God derivefrom our prayers? How do our prayers serve the Divine? The Hebrew word l’hitpallel means to pray.The root of this Hebrew word, pallel, actually meansto judge, clarify, differentiate or decide. In the reflexive form of the word--l’hitpallel, the subjectacts upon him/herself. Prayer, therefore, is aboutself-definition and establishing some level of personal inner clarity. During prayer, one is able toclarify his/her relationship with God and with theworld, thus opening a clearer channel of communication with the Divine.

Tzedaka, charity, is an additional method one mayuse to seek to revise or void a negative verdict.

Isn’t that bribing God? No. The life-long goal of the human being is to move closer to God. WhileJudaism has mandated laws about giving charity,these laws are meant to develop a person’s sensitivity to those in need. During the Ten Days,when we seek to show God that we have grown andare striving to be better, giving charity fortifies ourfundamental giving instinct. Rather than bribingGod, we are actively reminding ourselves of the direction in which we should be moving.


Susie Fishbein’s

3 ounces good-quality semi-sweet chocolate bar, such as Noblesse

2/3 cup honey1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking soda3/4 teaspoon salt1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine1/2 cup sugar1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract2 large eggs2/3 cup milk or soy milk

Frosted Honey-Chocolate Cake

Status: Dairy or Parve Cook Time: 45 minutesPrep Time: 10 minutes Yield: 9 servings

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan withnonstick cooking spray and line it with parchment paper, orgrease and flour the pan. The cake will turn out onto a servingplate more easily when you use the parchment paper. Set aside.

Break the chocolate up and place into a microwave-safe dishwith the honey. Microwave for 45–60 seconds. Stir after 20seconds to hasten the melting.

Place the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whiskto combine. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter or margarine withthe sugar on high speed until creamy. Add the vanilla, eggs,and the chocolate-honey mixture.

Add half the flour mixture with half the milk. Mix. Add the re-maining flour mixture and remaining milk. Beat until smooth.

Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until atoothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. After coolingfor 10 minutes, run a thin metal spatula around the edges andturn the cake out onto a cooling rack or cake plate.

While cake is cooling, prepare the frosting: Place the creamcheese in the microwave and heat for 2 (15-second) intervals tosoften. Stir.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter or margarine andcream cheese until smooth. With the beater going, drizzle inthe honey. Beat until just mixed and creamy. Do not over-beator the honey will separate. Spread the frosting over the top ofthe cooled cake. If making the frosting in advance, store in therefrigerator.

Susie Fishbein’s best-selling Kosher by Design series hasrevolutionized kosher cuisine. Her creative and delicious recipesare always crowd-pleasers for tastes of all ages. The above recipecomes from Susie’s Kosher by Design: Short on Time.

Here is a twist for Rosh Hashana, whenmany people serve traditional honeycake. The honey frosting is divine. It isreminiscent of a good cream cheesefrosting from carrot cake.

Honey Frosting:8 ounces cream cheese or parve cream cheese,

such as Tofutti brand, not whipped1⁄2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine,

at room temperature1/4 cup honey

http://www.artscroll.com/Books/kbst.html


r e v s r l l o a e e r

r e a m p a e m g t t v

m r t r v e s s e t a d

i a n s e r a r n a n h

r a e v e i u t a a a u

a n a h s a h h s o r h

v a v u h e a k i n g m

e a i e t o h a i k e t

h a e r h a t a l t m o

s a e m s k a s u e o v

k t e e a e s k l k p a

m t k m p r a y e r h a

GAME ANSWER KEY

DatesElulKingMetuka

PomegranatePrayerRamRosh Hashana

ShevarimTekiahTeruahTova

Word Search

CrosswordAcross2. year5. round6. judgment8. teshuva10. honey11. tekiot12. Isaac

Down1. kiddush3. apple4. rosh7. tashlich9. shofar


GLOSSARY

Avinu Malkeinu: A well knownprayer recited on Rosh Hashana andother special days. It means, literally,“Our Father, Our King.”

Kiddush: The blessing over winethat is recited before the eveningmeal and the afternoon meal onShabbat and holidays. Kiddush is theway Jews sanctify the Shabbat andthe Jewish holidays.

Rosh Hashana: The name for theJewish new year that literally means“head of the year.”

Shevarim: The name for the threemiddle length blasts on the shofar.

Simanim: The simanim are thesymbolic foods that are customarilyeaten at the Rosh Hashana nightmeal.

Tashlich: Literally “You shall throw,”tashlich is the name of the ceremonyin which one symbolically casts one’ssins away.

Tefila: The Hebrew word for prayer,related to the concept of self-reflection.

Tekiah/Tekiot: The name for thesolid, singular note of the shofar. Theplural form is the term used for thenotes made by the shofar.

Teruah: The name for both the actof sounding the shofar and for thenine short blasts sounded on theshofar.

Teshuva: Repentance. The word literally means “returning.”

Tishrei: The first month of the year.Rosh Hashana is the 1st of Tishrei.

Tzedaka: Charity. The word literallymeans righteousness.


Read Hebrew America is the ideal way to learn howto follow synagogue services, to be more involved inyour children’s Jewish education, or simply to en-hance your own ties to Judaism. These five FREEhour and a half lessons are available for beginnersand intermediates.

Want to Know

WHAT NJOP IS UP TO?Here are some great ways to keep in touch!

To receive “Juicy Bits of Judaism, Daily,” sign up for Jewish Treats!

> Become a fan of Jewish Treats on Facebook

> Follow us on Twitter @JewishTweets

> Read and subscribe to Rabbi Buchwald’s Weekly Torah Message

> Watch and subscribe to Rabbi Buchwald’s Weekly Video Message

> Subscribe to NJOP’s Mailing Lists

Jewish Treats is a project of NJOP

http://njop.org/programs/hebrew/read-hebrew-americacanada/



https://twitter.com/jewishtweets

http://njop.org/about/subscribe/

http://njop.org/about/subscribe/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Od9nxqj0_EW0gTKXvLtYA

http://njop.org/