AA Rosh Sweet Start: Hashanah Home Guide
Here is a easy-to-follow guide so you can bring some ritual to your Rosh Hashanah table so it will be memorable and meaningful. STEP 1: You might choose to start with candle lighting. How many candles is up to you. Perhaps one for everyone at your table. Feeling traditional? Then go with the customary two. On a budget? One will do just fine. We light the candle before saying the blessing--and while covering our eyes is a Shabbat tradition, some take that moment of focus on Rosh Hashanah to connect with the goodness that should flow into our year! The Blessing: The parenthesis include what we say when Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat. Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid shanu b mitzvotav v tzivanu l hadlik ner shel (Shabbat v shel) Yom Tov. We praise You, Source of Light, Sovereign of the Universe. who has sanctified us with mitzvot, and has instructed us to kindle the (Shabbat and) Holy Day light.
STEP 2: After candles, we can say the kiddush, the blessing over wine or grape juice. Consider small cups for everyone at the table, or a leader can drink on every one s behalf. We have provided the abbreviated blessing. The Blessing: Lift the kiddush cup(s) and say: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p ri hagafen. We praise You, Eternal One, Sovereign of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
STEP 3: On the new year, it is nice to offer a blessing to one another. The Blessing of Peace is a nice way for parents to bless their children or for hosts to bless their guests--or even invite people to bless one another. The Blessing: Y varechecha Adonai V yish m recha. Ya er Adonai panav eilecha vichuneka. Yisa Adonai panav eilecha v yasem l cha shalom May God bless you and watch out for you: May the light of the Divine shine upon you, and may God bestow you with grace: May God s Presence be with you and give you peace: May it be so / Amen.
Step 4: Special Rosh Hashanah blessings for a sweet new year. Have apple slices ready and get ready to take one and dip it in honey for hopes of a sweet and fruitful new year. The Blessings: Say these two blessing before you eat. Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p ri ha-eitz. We praise You, Source of Joy, Sovereign of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the tree. Then add: Y hi ratzon milfanecha, Adonai Eloheinu v Elohei avoteinu v imoteinu, shetchadesh aleinu shanah tovah um tukah. May it be Your will, Eternal our God, that this be a good and sweet year for us. Eat the apple dipped in honey.
STEP 5: A ritual for new adventures & experience. A fun ritual is to find a fruit that you have rarely or never eaten. Consider a dragonfruit, a durian or a rambutan if you re adventurous or a pomegranate if you are more traditional. Jewish lore says that the number of seeds in the pomegranate reflects the number of good deeds that you will do in the coming year. The Blessing: Shehecheyanu We say this blessing because we are grateful to have arrived at another year waiting for growth and change. Even if we do not have a new fruit or food to try we will say the blessing. Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu v kiy manu v higianu laz man hazeh. Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.
STEP 6: Let s Eat! Many of us try to find a round challah or even a round bread to symbolize the circle of life. Some even dip it in honey (why let a good thing go to waste?!) Gluten-free? Here is a link to a Rosh Hashanah Apple Challah recipe to make sure you can get your fill: A Gluten Free Challah Recipe The Blessing: HaMotzi Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz. We praise You, Source of Nourishment, Sovereign of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. Eat challah. the
Step 7: Extra Credit: Have a Conversation Prepare a few questions to discuss around your table or print out a question at each person s seat for them to answer or to ask another. Some of my favorites come from the 10Q project. Here are a few to consider: 1. Describe a significant experience that has happened in the past year. How did it affect you? Are you grateful? Relieved? Resentful? Inspired? 2. Is there something (a person, a cause, an idea) that you want to investigate more fully in the coming year? 3. Think about a major milestone that happened with your family this past year. How has this affected you?