ROSH HASHANA: Why Shofar?

22nd of Elul , 5770   Halakha of the Day The most important Mitzvah of Rosh haShana is listening to the Shofar. The Torah does not explain the reasons for the Shofar but our rabbis did.   1. The Shofar was used in ancient Israel for the King's coronation. In Rosh haShana we state that God is our King ('ol malkhut shamayim), we are His subjects and follow His rules.  The King had the power to sentence or spare someone's life.  In Rosh haShana we realize that our lives are evaluated by God, the supreme King/Judge. The key word added/emphasized in the prayers of Rosh HaShana and Yamim Noraim is: King/judge.    2. The Shofar also reminds us of akedat Yitzchak. Abraham Abinu was ready to sacrifice his own son to follow God's commandment.  At the end, God told him to hold back because the test was over. Abraham saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket and he offered it as a sacrifice to God Almighty.   3. The Shofar was also used as a siren, alerting people the enemy was about to attack and their lives were in danger. In Rosh haShana the Shofar serves as a spiritual 'alert call' inviting us to introspect on the fragility of our existence and repent.  The Shofar is a wake up call urging us to plead with haShem and request His mercy when judging us.   A modern narrative of akedat Yitzchak and the Shofar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEOya0ZG0I0

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The pre meal Seder

21st of Elul , 5770


During the two nights of Rosh haShana we celebrate a 'Seder'. Unlike the Pesach Seder, which involves the performance of several Mitzvot(commandments) the Rosh haShana Seder is a Minhag (tradition). The purpose of this Seder is to wish each other, ourselves and the Jewish people a good new year.

The main blessing we wish for is peace. That is why the motif of 'save us', 'protect us' from our enemies, is said once and again.

Following an ancient custom, we associate the names of foods or fruits we eat, with a key Hebrew word which alludes to each blessing. For example, when we eat dates (in Hebrew temarim) we ask haShem to make all our enemies disappear (in Hebrew itamu). Notice, the Hebrew words for "dates" and "disappear" share the root T / M.

We also wish each other to have a year of blessings (may we have as many merits as the pomegranate's seeds; may we multiply like fish); goodness and sweetness (apple with honey).

One of the blessings comes directly from the Torah, (ki tabo): "shenihie lerosh velo lezanav," "May HaShem help us to be at the head (top of our potential as individuals and as a nation) and not at the tail (bottom)."

Similar to Pesach, this Seder takes place after the Kiddush and before the formal meal.

Some families say this Seder before, and some families after hamotzi.
Both traditions are acceptable.


Recipes for Rosh haShana 'Simanim' Seder:

http://www.ou.org/shabbat_shalom/article/segura_the_rosh_hashanah_seder/

Rosh haShana: The pre meal Seder

During the two nights of Rosh haShana we celebrate a 'Seder'. Unlike the Pesach Seder, which involves the performance of several Mitzvot (commandments) the Rosh haShana Seder is a Minhag (tradition). The purpose of this Seder is to wish each other, ourselves and the Jewish people a good new year.

The main blessing we wish for is peace. That is why the motif of 'save us', 'protect us' from our enemies, is said once and again.

Following an ancient custom, we associate the names of foods or fruits we eat, with a key Hebrew word which alludes to each blessing. For example, when we eat dates (in Hebrew temarim) we ask haShem to make all our enemies disappear (in Hebrewitamu). Notice, the Hebrew words for "dates" and "disappear" share the root T / M.

We also wish each other to have a year of blessings (may we have as many merits as the pomegranate's seeds; may we multiply like fish); goodness and sweetness (apple with honey).

One of the blessings comes directly from the Torah, (ki tabo): "shenihie lerosh velo lezanav," "May HaShem help us to be at the head (top of our potential as individuals and as a nation) and not at the tail (bottom)."

Similar to Pesach, this Seder takes place after the Kiddush and before the formal meal.  

Some families say this Seder before, and some families after hamotzi. In our community, both traditions are acceptable.