In just a few hours, we, the entire global Jewish community, will enter the eve of Rosh Hashanah, a time when Heaven directs all its forces to renew our world and life for the coming year.
To the sound of the shofar, every conscious Jew opens his heart to the Almighty and is reminded of our indissoluble connection with him. Throughout these days, our thoughts and movements will be directed to prayer for the peace, health and life of our relatives and friends, as well as to the analysis of our own deeds and actions.
Our sages believed that on the eve of the holiday, it is worth writing a letter to a righteous person, which will contain a request for blessings and a message about a good decision made in honor of this day.
Let's not forget the simanim, or symbols of the holiday, which must be present at the evening meal.
First of all, we will note the pomegranates - its seeds symbolize the commandments that a Jew must observe. Tasting the fragrant seeds, the guests of the feast say - "Thy will be done... that we may have as many merits as the seeds in the pomegranate."
To make the coming year sweet, they eat an apple with honey. And to make our enemies end in the new year, they eat dates, because in Hebrew, a date is “tamar,” which is consonant with the root “tam” (to end).
The head of a fish or a ram takes pride of place on the festive table – “…so that we are at the head of the year, not at the tail.” Also, sweet tsimes with carrots is prepared for the meal, a symbol of abundance in the new year. Also, the word carrot in Hebrew sounds like “gezer,” which is consonant with the word “gzar” – “sentence.” Therefore, when we eat dishes with carrots, we ask – “that a good sentence be passed upon us, and that a bad sentence be broken.”
Another interesting tradition is “Tashlich.” The essence of the ritual is to recite prayers calling for the “thirteen categories of Mercy” and to symbolically “shake off” sins. The ritual is performed near water where fish are found, symbolizing fertility and vitality.
All these symbols and rituals of the holiday prepare us for the main thing - the judgment of the Almighty, therefore these days are devoid of sadness and despondency. On the contrary, by celebrating Rosh Hashanah quite loudly and cheerfully, we show confidence that the Almighty will show us His goodness and will not abandon us with His mercy in the coming year, removing the touch of melancholy that belongs to the following "Terrible Days". On the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, we do as it is said in Tegilim:
"Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling"
Happy New Year to everyone! Shana Tova from Metuk!
