Holiday Workshops on Zoom
Holiday Workshops with Rabbi Buchwald
Get ready for Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukkot with three exciting Zoom workshops, led by Rabbi Buchwald!
Sept. 15, 2020 - 7:00PM EDT
Make Rosh Hashana Come Alive!
Join Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald for an exciting one hour Rosh Hashana Prayer Workshop on Tuesday evening, September 15th, at 7pm EDT on Zoom to help us prepare for the holiday. Explore the significance of the shofar, the impactful Torah readings and develop a greater appreciation for some of the most significant prayers.
Sept. 22, 2020 - 7:00PM EDT
Demystify Yom Kippur!
Rabbi Buchwald will lead an enriching one hour Yom Kippur Prayer Workshop on Tuesday evening, September 22nd, at 7pm EDT on Zoom. Delve into the underlying significance of Yom Kippur, learn how one can achieve repentance and explore the meaning of the some of the most significant prayers.
Sept. 29, 2020 - 7:00PM EDT
The Joyous Festival of Sukkot!
Join Rabbi Buchwald for an uplifting one hour Sukkot Workshop on Tuesday evening, September 29th, at 7pm EDT on Zoom to help us prepare for the holiday of Sukkot. Learn the beautiful symbolism of the four species, what constitutes a Sukkah and develop a whole new understanding of the joyous celebration that is Sukkot.
High Holidays
Participate in one of our renowned, interactive High Holiday Beginners Service programs or workshops this holiday season. We’ll help you host a program with our comprehensive materials and videos or find one to attend.
Rosh Hoshana
The Jewish New Year starts with a celebration of the very creation of the world and a recognition of humankind’s relationship to the Creator.
Yom Kippur
The High Holidays culminate with The Day of Atonement.
There is a mysticism in that almost all Jews recognize the holiness of the day.
Articles
Browse our collection of High Holiday Jewish Treats, filled with interesting stories and articles about Jewish histories and traditions.
High Holiday 101 Web Series
High Holiday 101
Web Series
NJOP’s High Holidays 101 web series features Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald, Founder and Director of NJOP, as he answers six important questions people often ask about the High Holidays. You can find links to each of the topics below.
High Holiday Prep 101 #1: Why Does Rosh Hashana Matter?
High Holiday Prep 101 #2: Why Pray in a Synagogue on the High Holidays?
High Holiday Prep 101 #3: What is the Significance of the Sounds of the Shofar?
High Holiday Prep 101 #4: What Does Repentance Mean In Judaism?
High Holiday Prep 101 #6: Why Do We Fast on Yom Kippur?
High Holiday Prep 101 #5: How Do We Achieve Forgiveness?
High Holidays
Participate in one of our renowned, interactive High Holiday Beginners Service programs or workshops this holiday season. We’ll help you host a program with our comprehensive materials and videos or find one to attend.
Rosh Hoshana
The Jewish New Year starts with a celebration of the very creation of the world and a recognition of humankind’s relationship to the Creator.
Yom Kippur
The High Holidays culminate with The Day of Atonement.
There is a mysticism in that almost all Jews recognize the holiness of the day.
Articles
Browse our collection of High Holiday Jewish Treats, filled with interesting stories and articles about Jewish histories and traditions.
High Holiday Jewish Treats
Jewish Treats about
The High Holidays
Browse our archive of High Holiday related Jewish Treats.
September 27, 2020
The Book Of Jonah
The Book of Jonah is one of the best known stories in the Bible and is read…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 24, 2020
Post Labor Day Whites
When is it fashionably acceptable to wear white after Labor Day? On Yom…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 22, 2020
A Dictionary for the Days of Awe
In Maimonides’ Laws of Repentance, he invokes five important and pertinent…
0 Comments3 Minutes
September 21, 2020
Yom Kippur 5781-2020
“The Thrill of Coming Home” (updated and revised from Yom Kippur……
0 Comments9 Minutes
September 21, 2020
Avinu Malkeinu
No prayer so thoroughly captures the Jewish people’s dual relationship with…
0 Comments3 Minutes
September 18, 2020
Remembering the Akeidah
In neither of the two Torah references to the holiday of Rosh Hashana…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 17, 2020
Holiday Greetings
The standard pre-Rosh Hashana greeting of “K’tiva v’chatima tova” ("May you…
0 Comments3 Minutes
September 16, 2020
Symbolic Foods
Since Rosh Hashana is the Day of Judgment, it is customary to eat simanim,*…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 14, 2020
Rosh Hashana 5781-2020
“A Message for the High Holy Days: ‘Export, Export!’” (updated and revised…
0 Comments9 Minutes
August 20, 2020
Forgiveness: An Elul Treat
Many feel that the three hardest words to say, in any language are: “I am…
0 Comments2 Minutes
July 29, 2020
Tisha b’Av
Tonight, at sunset, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar begins. Known as…
0 Comments2 Minutes
October 4, 2019
Avinu Malkeinu
No prayer so thoroughly captures the Jewish people’s dual relationship with…
0 Comments2 Minutes
October 3, 2019
Do We Attempt to Fool God this Week?
During the Aseret Y’mei Teshuva, the Ten Days of Repentance, Jews are…
0 Comments3 Minutes
October 3, 2019
Will I Forgive You for What!?
An ancient Jewish proverb declares: “Loose tongues are worse than wicked…
0 Comments2 Minutes
October 2, 2019
From Holy God to Holy King
On Rosh Hashana, God judges the world (and all the people therein), but…
0 Comments2 Minutes
October 2, 2019
The Fast of Gedaliah (Tzom Gedaliah)
The Fast of Gedaliah is observed to commemorate the murder of Gedaliah, the…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 29, 2019
Symbolic Foods
Since Rosh Hashana is the Day of Judgment, it is customary to…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 29, 2019
Annulment of Vows
"I swear that this time I will lose weight""I am going to pray every…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 27, 2019
Holiday Greetings
The standard pre-Rosh Hashana greeting of “K’tiva v’chatima…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 26, 2019
Tashlich
The Rosh Hashana tashlich ceremony is a tradition that is dear throughout…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 26, 2019
Shofar Shorts
The shofar is one of the most recognizable symbols of Rosh Hashana.…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 25, 2019
Yom Kippur 5780-2019
“How does G-d Judge?” (Updated and revised from Yom Kippur 5760-1999) by…
0 Comments11 Minutes
September 25, 2019
Remembering the Akeidah
In neither of the two Torah references to the holiday of Rosh Hashana…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 25, 2019
The Year is Set
Rosh Hashana, the head of the year, is the day on which God determines the…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 24, 2019
Come My Beloved
The Talmud (Shabbat 116a) describes how the sages would greet Shabbat:…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 24, 2019
I Am To My Beloved
The Torah verse that epitomizes the emotion of love is: “Anee l’dodi v’dodi…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 23, 2019
A Dictionary for the Days of Awe
In Maimonides’ Laws of Repentance, he invokes five important and…
0 Comments3 Minutes
September 23, 2019
Forgiveness: An Elul Treat
Many feel that the three hardest words to say are: “I am sorry.” Yet, we…
0 Comments2 Minutes
September 20, 2019
Selichot
In addition to the unique prayer services of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur,…
0 Comments3 Minutes
April 28, 2019
Acharei Mot 5779-2019
“The Forbidden Relationships Work Both Ways” (Revised and updated from…
0 Comments6 Minutes
High Holidays
Participate in one of our renowned, interactive High Holiday Beginners Service programs or workshops this holiday season. We’ll help you host a program with our comprehensive materials and videos or find one to attend.
Rosh Hoshana
The Jewish New Year starts with a celebration of the very creation of the world and a recognition of humankind’s relationship to the Creator.
Yom Kippur
The High Holidays culminate with The Day of Atonement.
There is a mysticism in that almost all Jews recognize the holiness of the day.
Articles
Browse our collection of High Holiday Jewish Treats, filled with interesting stories and articles about Jewish histories and traditions.
Shofar Service
Shofar Service
“…it shall be declared a holiday for you, a day of sounding a teruah for you”
(Numbers 29:1).
Teruah is the word for one of the sounds of the shofar.
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- The shofar is made from the horn of a ram. A special person to serve as the Shofar blower is designated for the holiday. This person has studied the various laws of the shofar service and is trained to properly maintain strong consistent sounds.
- The shofar is not sounded on Shabbat.
- It is a Torah obligation to hear the shofar during the Rosh Hashana Mussaf service (the additional service). If one is unable to attend services, during the daytime one may:Find out what time the shofar will be blown and go specifically to hear the shofar blown and then return home.
Check with the local synagogue if there will be a special shofar sounding for people who miss it in the morning.
Have someone blow the shofar for him/her privately.
There are three types of shofar blasts:
Tekiah – the long, solid blast.
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- The tekiah sound is like the blast of the trumpet at a king’s coronation, reminding us that G-d is the King of Kings.
- The tekiah is a strong note of joyous happiness, to remind us that we are standing before G-d, our Maker, who loves us and judges us with mercy.
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Shevarim – the three medium-length blasts
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- The shevarim is reminiscent of deep sighs or soft crying, (where one is gasping for breath).
- The shevarim is the beginning of the recognition of all that G-d does for us, and all that we could be doing, thus the sighing sound.
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Teruah – the 9 quick blasts
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- The teruah evokes the feeling of short piercing cries of wailing.
- The teruah is the recognition that the year is closing and that the time for teshuva will soon pass.
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Tekiah Gedolah – Final Blast
The elongated, solid note that is blown as the last blast of the shofar service. The regular tekiah is a note of joy – the tekiah gedolah is a triumphant shout that reaches out to the hearts of all to assure them that their prayers have been heard.
High Holidays
Participate in one of our renowned, interactive High Holiday Beginners Service programs or workshops this holiday season. We’ll help you host a program with our comprehensive materials and videos or find one to attend.
Rosh Hoshana
The Jewish New Year starts with a celebration of the very creation of the world and a recognition of humankind’s relationship to the Creator.
Yom Kippur
The High Holidays culminate with The Day of Atonement.
There is a mysticism in that almost all Jews recognize the holiness of the day.
Articles
Browse our collection of High Holiday Jewish Treats, filled with interesting stories and articles about Jewish histories and traditions.
Symbolic Foods
Symbolic Foods
There is a certain meaning and prayer behind each kind of symbolic food. See if one of the foods holds a deeper connection for you.
Apples and Honey
A slice of apple is dipped in honey.
The blessing for the fruit of the tree is recited:
Baruch atah Ado-nai, Ehlo-haynu melech Ha-olam, Borai p’ree ha’aitz.
“Blessed are you L-rd, our G-d ruler of the world, Creator of the fruit of the tree.”
Take a bite and then recite the following brief prayer:
“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.”
Dates
(t’marim – from the word for “to consume”)
“May it be Your will, Hashem, our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers, that our enemies be consumed.”
ome people eat the date first because it is one of the fruits for which the Land of Israel is known.
Squash
(kara – from the word for “to tear”)
“May it be Your will, Hashem, our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers, that the decree of our sentence be torn asunder; and may our merits be proclaimed before You.”
Black-eyed Peas
(rubia – from the word for “increase”) or,
Carrots
(merrin, in Yiddish – from the word “more”)
“May it be Your will, Hashem, our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers, that our merits increase.”
Raisins and Celery
(this is a recent, somewhat humorous, English addition)
“May it be Your will to grant us a “raise in salary.”
Pomegranates
It is said that each pomegranate has 613 seeds, representing the 613 commandments of the Torah:
“May it be Your will, Hashem, our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers, that our merits be as plentiful as the seeds of a pomegranates.”
Fish
A fish is considered to be a symbol of fertility and blessing:
“May it be Your will, Hashem, our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers, that we be fruitful and multiply like fish.”
Head of a Sheep/Fish:
Some have a custom to have the head of a sheep or a fish on the table and to say:
“May it be Your will, Hashem, our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers, that we be as the head and not as the tail.”
Nuts
On Rosh Hashana, nuts are not eaten since the numeric value of the word for nut, egoz, is equivalent to the numeric value for the word for sin, chet.
High Holidays
Participate in one of our renowned, interactive High Holiday Beginners Service programs or workshops this holiday season. We’ll help you host a program with our comprehensive materials and videos or find one to attend.
Rosh Hoshana
The Jewish New Year starts with a celebration of the very creation of the world and a recognition of humankind’s relationship to the Creator.
Yom Kippur
The High Holidays culminate with The Day of Atonement.
There is a mysticism in that almost all Jews recognize the holiness of the day.
Articles
Browse our collection of High Holiday Jewish Treats, filled with interesting stories and articles about Jewish histories and traditions.
Rosh Hashana Essay
Rosh Hashana Essay
“Elul is the time to look back over the past year, sort out our strengths and weaknesses, and see what impact our deeds have had. Like sorting the receipts, we can put our actions into little piles…”
A Season of Repentance
Imagine that you receive a notice from the IRS that you are going to be audited in one month. You are frantic. After all, receipts and credit slips are scattered in drawers and piles throughout the house; and, now you have only one month to find them. The beginning of the month of Elul marks the one month notice until the “Divine audit” on Rosh Hashana. Throughout the month of Elul, Jews search for every receipt and credit slip left by their behavior. “Did I belittle the secretary who couldn’t remember my name?” “Did I borrow $20 and forget to return it?” “Did I…?”
Elul is the time to look back over the past year, sort out our strengths and weaknesses, and see what impact our deeds have had. Like sorting the receipts, we can put our actions into little piles: wrong to G-d, our fellow humans or even ourselves, and good to G-d, our fellow humans or ourselves. Sometimes an action may fall into several categories. Reviewing our behavior is, according to the Medieval scholar Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (Maimonides), the beginning of the first step in teshuva, repentance. The Jewish view of repentance goes much farther than mere regret. Teshuva is a pro-active process that recognizes our fallibility and our ability to change.
People err. The Bible is full of people “messing up.” What is important, however, is that one learns from his/her mistakes; and, the first step in setting it straight is recognizing the problem and stopping the behavior. For many, recognizing a negative behavior is painfully difficult. After all, it’s so easy to justify our actions — “Well, he shouldn’t have cut me off, I had every right to yell at him!””The government already gets enough money, I don’t have to declare this on my taxes!” “Hey, so what if I told them that I saw her out last night, everybody knows she’s a real partier!” But rationalizations don’t make the action right, they only make the rationalizer feel better about their behavior. Admitting that an action was wrong or that it may have hurt someone, takes courage and honesty. Stopping the behavior is an even greater challenge.
Humankind, however, was created to meet this challenge. As the only one of G-d’s creations with a soul, humans alone are capable of spiritual growth. Unlike physical development, spiritual growth must be a conscious effort, with both short and long term goals. For instance: long term, one may wish to be able to read from the Torah, but the short term goal may be to learn the Aleph-Bet. When setting the long term goal of becoming the best possible person, Rosh Hashana is the date by which one sets a short term goal of evaluating the direction in which one is heading.
On Rosh Hashana the world came to life. It was the sixth day of creation. The trees had been planted, the seeds for the grasses were sown, fish, birds, mammals and all other creatures were formed…and then G-d created the human being. How can Rosh Hashana be considered the birthday of the world if the world was already six days old? A baby is conceived and exists for nine months before the child is born, yet only the day of its first breath is considered its actual birthday. So too, only on the sixth day, when G-d “formed Adam of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,” did the world become actualized.
That first breath set the world in motion. It was also from that day forth that humankind has had to face the battle of free-will. While it may appear to be a burden, free-will, the ability to choose one’s actions, is actually the necessary ingredient for spiritual growth. After all, if one works solely upon natural instinct, one will always have the same reaction in similar situations. Without free-will there are no choices about behavior and there can be no reflection about right or wrong. With free-will, however, what we did yesterday is not necessarily what we do today or tomorrow. However, with free-will comes responsibility and accountability; and, on Rosh Hashana G-d holds each man and woman accountable for his or her actions over the last year
While people should strive to improve themselves throughout the year, as the month of Elul begins and the Shofar is sounded, we are reminded that there is just one month left. Thirty days remain to check one’s balance and settle old accounts. By using Elul to prepare, one is able to face the Divine audit on Rosh Hashana with clarity and confidence, knowing that one has moved towards his/her spiritual goal and has made a better connection with the power of the day, and with G-d.
High Holidays
Participate in one of our renowned, interactive High Holiday Beginners Service programs or workshops this holiday season. We’ll help you host a program with our comprehensive materials and videos or find one to attend.
Rosh Hoshana
The Jewish New Year starts with a celebration of the very creation of the world and a recognition of humankind’s relationship to the Creator.
Yom Kippur
The High Holidays culminate with The Day of Atonement.
There is a mysticism in that almost all Jews recognize the holiness of the day.
Articles
Browse our collection of High Holiday Jewish Treats, filled with interesting stories and articles about Jewish histories and traditions.
Hows and Whys
How's and Why's of Rosh Hashana
Table of Contents
ROSH HASHANA
Rosh Hashana, which literally means the Head of the Year, is the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashana is Yom Harat Olam, The Birthday of the World.
According to the Biblical narrative, it took six days to create the world, and on the sixth day G-d created Adam. During the first six days, animate and inanimate objects were formed, but the world was inactive until after the creation of the first human, who could appreciate and use G-d’s creations. Rosh Hashana is actually the day that Adam was created, but, even though there was prior creativity, it is nevertheless considered the birthday of the world because on this day the world came to life. With the creation of Adam, time was sectioned into hours, days, years, etc., and, therefore, we begin counting the years from this day.
Rosh Hashana is celebrated on the first and second days of Tishrei.
In the Torah, Rosh Hashana is given several names, each of which characterizes the day:
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- Yom Hazikaron – The Day of Rememberance – It is the day on which G-d recalls all of humankind’s deeds of the past year.
- Yom HaDin – The Day of Judgement – It is the day on which G-d judges the actions of humankind.
What Happens on Rosh Hashana:
Rosh Hashana is a Yom Tov, a festival day, which is observed like Shabbat.
Shabbat and all Jewish holidays always begin at sunset on the evening before. On the Sabbath and Yom Tov (festival), candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset to welcome the holiday. On the second night of Yom Tov, candles are lit no earlier than one hour after sunset.
When Rosh Hashana begins on Friday night, the Shabbat candle-lighting procedure is as follows :
Two candles (minimum) are lit, then both hands are waved towards the face, symbolically drawing in the light of the candles and the sanctity of the Sabbath/Yom Tov. The eyes are covered and the blessing is recited. On the second night, Saturday night, the blessing is said first, without the Shabbat addition, and only then are the candles lit (from a pre-existing flame).
On Friday night, insert the bracketed words:
Baruch atah Ado-nai, Ehlo-haynu melech Ha-olam, asher kideshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzeevanu l’hadlik ner shel [Shabbat v’]Yom Tov.
An additional blessing is said on both nights of Rosh Hashana to acknowledge the good fortune of being able to experience the holiday:
Baruch atah Ado-nai, Ehlo-haynu melech Ha-olam, she’he’che’yanu v’kee’manu, v’hee’gee’anu la’zman ha’zeh
Blessed are you L-rd, our G-d ruler of the world, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season
Evening services are held in the synagogue.
The Festive Meal:
The Festival Evening Kiddush (blessing over wine), found in the holiday machzor (prayer book), is recited.
Motzee – After a ritual washing of the hands, the blessing is made over two whole challot.
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- Traditionally the challot for Rosh Hashana are round, symbolic of the cycle of the year, and sweet (often with raisins).
- The challah is dipped in honey (as well as salt), symbolic of sweetness. The custom of dipping the challah in honey continues until the end of Sukkot.
- The symbolic foods: Since Rosh Hashana is the day of judgement, it is customary to eat foods with symbolic meanings to invoke G-d’s blessing. We therefore utter a prayer and then eat these items. (Except for apples and honey, which is universally practiced, the exact items eaten depend on family custom.)
View the list and description of the Symbolic Foods
A festive meal is eaten, followed by the Grace After Meals with the addition of Y’aleh V’Yavo, “May there rise and come…” for the holiday.
On Friday night, the special Shabbat addition, r’tzai, is added before Y’aleh V’Yavo.
The Service
During Rosh Hashana, a special Rosh Hashana prayer book, called a machzor, is used.
The Torah reading for the first day of Rosh Hashana is the story of the birth of Isaac (Genesis 18). The Torah reading for the second day of Rosh Hashana is the story of the Binding of Isaac. According to tradition, both events occurred on Rosh Hashana (Genesis 22).
The Shofar Service
View the description of the Shofar Service
The Festival Day Kiddush (blessing over wine), found in the holiday machzor (prayer book), is recited.
Motzee – After a ritual washing of the hands, the blessing is made over two whole challot, the pieces of which are dipped in honey.
A festive meal is eaten, followed by the Grace After Meals with the addition of Y’aleh V’Yavo, “He will go up and he will come…”, for the holidays.
On Saturday afternoon, the special Shabbat addition, r’tzai, is added before Y’aleh V’Yavo.
The Festive Lunch
Mincha, the afternoon service is recited. (including the weekly Torah reading since it is also Shabbat).
Tashlich – The casting away of sins
It is customary after the afternoon service on the first day of Rosh Hashana, to go to a body of water in which there are live fish (or to a place where one can see the water) and to symbolically cast away one’s sins. While standing by the water, several verses from the books of Micha and Psalms are recited expressing the desire for the sins to be carried away.
When the first day of Rosh Hashana is Shabbat, as it is this year, tashlich is postponed until the second day.
If one does not perform tashlich during Rosh Hashana, for instance if one is unable to get to a body of water, it may be performed until Hoshana Raba (the seventh day of Sukkot).
Tashlich – The casting away of sins
It is customary after the afternoon service on the first day of Rosh Hashana, to go to a body of water in which there are live fish (or to a place where one can see the water) and to symbolically cast away one’s sins. While standing by the water, several verses from the books of Micha and Psalms are recited expressing the desire for the sins to be carried away.
When the first day of Rosh Hashana is Shabbat, as it is this year, tashlich is postponed until the second day.
If one does not perform tashlich during Rosh Hashana, for instance if one is unable to get to a body of water, it may be performed until Hoshana Raba (the seventh day of Sukkot).
The Second Day
The second day of Rosh Hashana begins one hour after sunset
The rituals and the prayers of the second day are the same as the first day, except for a change in the Torah reading and the Haftorah.
One should try to have a new fruit at the second night meal or wear a new outfit so that the repeated Shehecheyanu blessing will apply to those items and not be in vain.
Sleeping on Rosh Hashana
Some people will not sleep so that they will not be asleep during this crucial judgement period or to insure that they will not have “a sleepy year.”
High Holidays
Participate in one of our renowned, interactive High Holiday Beginners Service programs or workshops this holiday season. We’ll help you host a program with our comprehensive materials and videos or find one to attend.
Rosh Hoshana
The Jewish New Year starts with a celebration of the very creation of the world and a recognition of humankind’s relationship to the Creator.
Yom Kippur
The High Holidays culminate with The Day of Atonement.
There is a mysticism in that almost all Jews recognize the holiness of the day.
Articles
Browse our collection of High Holiday Jewish Treats, filled with interesting stories and articles about Jewish histories and traditions.
Preparing for the New Year
Preparing for the
New Year
Elul — The Month Before Rosh Hashana
Table of Contents
1. Teshuva- Repentance
What is Teshuva?
Teshuva is translated as repentance, but it is actually a process of self-evaluation and self-improvement. The Hebrew month of Elul is the time to look over our weaknesses, see where we have transgressed, and do Teshuva. The Rambam (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, Maimonides 1135 – 1204) enumerates four primary steps to Teshuva:
Recognize and discontinue the action, which may be something as drastic as stealing or as common as losing one’s temper.
Verbally confess the action, thus giving the action a concrete existence in one’s own mind.
Regret the action. Evaluate the negative effects this action may have had on oneself or on others.
Determine not to do the action again. Picture yourself in the same situation and create a positive way to handle it.
Teshuva for a sin between a person and G-d:
When one has transgressed a mitzvah that does not affect another person, the Teshuva is purely between the person and G-d; and the four steps listed above are necessary for the repentance process.
Teshuva for a sin between fellow human beings
When one has caused harm to another person, whether by stealing from them, by embarrassing them or anything else, then Teshuva requires that restitution and reconciliation be arranged between those involved. Before G-d can forgive the perpetrator, the victim must express forgiveness. It is customary during the month of Elul for people to seek out those they may have harmed, intentionally or unintentionally, and ask for mechilah, forgiveness.
One must be sincere in their process of repentance and seek to repair the damage done the person, or at least attempt to do so.
A person is obligated to ask for forgiveness three times. After three refusals, the person is no longer held accountable for that action as (s)he has proven true regret. The person who will not accept a sincere apology, however, is guilty of bearing a grudge. There are even those who say the transgression transfers to the person who refused to grant forgiveness.
2. Customs of Elul
The Blowing of the Shofar
At the conclusion of morning services, starting on the second day of Elul, the month proceeding Rosh Hashana, it is customary for four “notes” to be sounded on the Shofar each morning.
The Shofar is not blown on Shabbat.
The Shofar is not blown on the day before Rosh Hashana
The blowing of the Shofar during the month of Elul is like a wake-up call to alert everyone that the Days of Judgment are approaching.
Selichot, special penitential prayers, are recited.
Selichot are recited just before dawn, except for the first night of selichot, when they are usually said just after midnight. The time to start saying selichot varies from community to community.
Sephardim generally begin saying selichot on the second day of Elul
Ashkenazim begin saying selichot on the Saturday night of the Shabbat that immediately proceeds Rosh Hashana. If there are fewer than four days between Shabbat and Rosh Hashana, selichot are begun on the Saturday night of the previous week.
Selichot may be said when praying alone, however, the Thirteen Attributes of G-d, which conclude the Selichot, are only said with a minyan.
Psalm 27 is added to the daily prayer service from the second day of Elul until Shemini Atzeret, the end of Sukkot. (This is an Ashkenazic custom) – It is generally added at the end of Shacharit (morning service) and Maariv (evening service), although some recite it after Shacharit (morning service) and Mincha (afternoon service).
High Holidays
Participate in one of our renowned, interactive High Holiday Beginners Service programs or workshops this holiday season. We’ll help you host a program with our comprehensive materials and videos or find one to attend.
Rosh Hoshana
The Jewish New Year starts with a celebration of the very creation of the world and a recognition of humankind’s relationship to the Creator.
Yom Kippur
The High Holidays culminate with The Day of Atonement.
There is a mysticism in that almost all Jews recognize the holiness of the day.
Articles
Browse our collection of High Holiday Jewish Treats, filled with interesting stories and articles about Jewish histories and traditions.
Rosh Hashana
Rosh Hashana
A celebration of the very creation of the world and a recognition of humankind’s relationship to the Creator.
Happy New Year!
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is much more than the celebration of another year’s passing. Rosh Hashana is, after all, a celebration of the very creation of the world and a recognition of humankind’s relationship to the Creator.
Fundamental to Judaism is the belief in an active G-d who is involved in our lives like a caring parent. G-d responds to our needs, but, at the same time, G-d also watches us and assesses our actions.
On Rosh Hashana, G-d metaphorically closes out the year by reviewing the records of each person’s actions, judging each person’s merits and faults, and setting a verdict for the quality of each person’s year to come. Rosh Hashana is a day of judgment, we Jews therefore use the holiday to reconnect with G-d and to reassess our own lives.
Rosh Hashana Stories,
Practices and Resources
- Jewish Treats Complete Guide to Rosh Hashana
- High Holidays 101 web series
- Shofar Service
- Symbolic Foods
- Preparing for the New Year
- Hows and Whys
- The Fast of Gedaliah (Tzom Gedaliah)
- The 10 Days
- Yom Kippur
- Recommended Reading
- Rosh Hashana Essay
- High Holiday Jewish Treats
- Soul Bigger (The Rosh Hashana Song)
- High Holiday Recipes
Complete Guide to Rosh Hashana
NJOP and our social media brand Jewish Treats are excited to introduce our Jewish Treats Complete Guide to Rosh Hashana- your online resource to the Jewish New Year.
Jewish Treats Complete Guide to Rosh Hashana eBook is designed to engage and inspire those who are active in the social media universe. Easily downloadable for even those who are not very computer savvy, NJOP’s eBook makes the customs and traditions associated with Rosh Hashana both accessible and meaningful. This very contemporary guide provides in-depth explanations, delicious recipes and personal inspirational thoughts and experiences associated with Rosh Hashana. Jewish Treats Complete Guide to Rosh Hashana eBook is an invaluable tool for all Jews, especially those who may never have experienced the majesty and inspirational nature of Rosh Hashana.
High Holiday Videos
High Holiday 101
Web Series
These High Holiday videos are each between 9-12 minutes long and are geared towards anyone seeking to engage fellow Jews on the High Holidays. Whether you are a rabbi, or a lay leader, your observance is traditional or more progressive, you will benefit from these engaging videos.
Soul Bigger
(The Rosh Hashana Song)
@JewishTweets wants to know if you’re ready to make your “Soul Bigger” for the High Holidays!
*Featured on NBC’s The Today Show!
High Holiday Programs
Join or partner with us in one of our renowned High Holiday programs.

High Holiday Prayer Workshop
The High Holiday Prayer Workshop (HHPW) is designed for those who seek meaning in a service they find difficult to relate to and hard to understand. Based on the Abridged Beginners Service, the Prayer Workshop…
The High Holiday Prayer Workshop contains discussion material for selected prayers from both Rosh Hashana (Shofar Service, Torah Reading, Avinu Malkeinu and U’netah’ne Tokef) and Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre, Thirteen Attributes of G-d, Vidui, The Book of Jonah and Kee Anu Amecha).
Our materials will help you host a Prayer Workshop with a Leader’s Guide as well as Participant’s Pages. Both components contain an introduction to the prayers and the words of the prayers, and, most importantly, questions that enable participants to delve more deeply into the meanings of the prayers. In addition to these elements, the Leader’s Guide also contains proposed answers prepared by the NJOP staff. You can also use our personalizable flyer to help promote the program.
COVID-19 | Program Status
Out of an abundance of caution due to the spread of the Coronavirus and heeding the recommendation of medical professionals to forgo large gatherings for the time being, NJOP will not be going forward with our High Holiday Beginners Service programs this year. We hope to reinstate the initiative in future years. We pray for the speedy and complete recovery of all those who have contracted the virus and the safety of all others.
Thank you for your understanding.

High Holiday Beginners Service
Looking for something different for this year’s High Holidays? If you are one of thousands of Jews around the country who are curious but wary or hesitant about High Holiday services, NJOP invites you to start here…
NJOP sponsored High Holiday Beginners Services are designed to be interactive and accessible no matter one’s background. Prayers and customs are fully explained by dynamic leaders and questions are always welcome. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Beginners Service leaders aim to provide a meaningful experience for everyone present.
Find out how you or your community can particpate
If you, or your synagogue, would like to be one of the many participating locations offering a High Holiday Beginners Service this year, you can use our materials and Training Videos.

Abridged High Holiday Beginners Service
A brief and dynamic program designed to appeal to, and inspire, those who may not have attended a High Holiday Service in some time. This brief program enables participants to appreciate the majesty and beauty of the Rosh Hashana and…
If you want to run an Abridged HHBS or ask your synagogue to do so, you can use our materials and training video.
Send us message to have us contact you about running any of our High Holiday programs or call 1-800-44-HEBREW.