Search results for: ""Hashkafa""

Rosh Hashana: Prayers: What Time To Start: Ma'ariv and Kiddush
Ma'ariv and evening kiddush for Rosh Hashana are not started until after dark.
 
Introduction to Rosh Hashana
Rosh Hashana is the beginning of the Jewish calendar year (there are three other dates that begin other aspects of the Jewish year).
Rosh Hashana is observed for two days, which are considered to be one continuous day. In Temple times, a cohen would offer a sacrifice but might not know until the following evening, after the new moon had been seen (or not), whether he had offered the Rosh Hashana offering.
Rosh Hashana focuses on the idea of God as King and of our relationship as Jews to that King.
Practicing Shofar on Rosh Hashana
You may practice blowing a shofar on Rosh Hashana (unless it coincides with Shabbat!).

Practicing Shofar on Rosh Hashana
You may practice or even play with a shofar on Rosh Hashana (unless it coincides with Shabbat!).
 
Praying in a Kittel on Rosh Hashana
For those who have the custom of wearing a kittel on Rosh Hashana, the kittel is only worn for shacharit and musaf.
Announcing the New Month
Each month (except before Rosh Hashana), we say the blessing over the new month (birkat ha'chodesh). On Shabbat morning preceding the new moon, at the end of Torah reading, we announce the coming of the new month (Rosh Chodesh), including:
  • The name of the month.
  • The day and time the new moon will appear in Jerusalem.
  • The day of the week that begins the new month (and sometimes the last day of the previous month).
We say some prayers that ask for good health, prosperity, and other good things.  
Women: Hearing Shofar
For women and hearing shofar, see Rosh Hashana: How Many Shofar Blasts To Hear.
Orla Planting Deadline
Trees planted at least 45 days before Rosh Hashana (that is, by Tu B'Av) are considered to be one year old on that Rosh Hashana.
Introduction to Havdala
Havdala is said after Shabbat, Jewish festivals, Rosh Hashana, and Yom Kippur.  Shabbat havdala is more extensive than after Yom Kippur and Jewish festivals. 

Shabbat havdala consists of:
  1. Beverage: Wine, Grape Juice, or Chamar Medina
    Wine is always the preferred beverage for all havdalas because it is prestigious.
  2. Spices
    The extra soul we are given on Shabbat leaves after Shabbat is over, so we sniff a pleasant odor to cover for that loss.
  3. Flame  
    The Shabbat havdala flame commemorates that Adam HaRishon (the first man) created fire after the first Shabbat.

 
Bowing: Women
Women are not required to bow to the floor on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, but some women have that custom.
Nullifying Vows (Hatarat Nedarim)
Hatarat nedarim (nullification of vows) should be done before Rosh Hashana (but it may be done any time of the year) in front of three adult male shomer-Shabbat Jews. You may make a condition that you never want to make a vow of any type, but this might not be effective or valid.  The formula may be said in English or any other spoken language.
When Shiv'a (and Shloshim) Starts: Jewish Festivals
For someone who dies during Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, or any of the three Jewish festivals, the mourning period does not start until after the holiday has ended.
 
Shiv'a and Shloshim: Ended by Jewish Festivals
Shiv'a ends if a Jewish festival, Rosh Hashana, or Yom Kippur intervenes.
Shloshim ends if a Jewish festival, Rosh Hashana, or Yom Kippur intervenes.
If two of those holidays occur within the first seven days after burial, the first one will break shiv'a and the second one will break shloshim.
Shimini Atseret does not constitute a second day for breaking shiv'a or shloshim (it is considered to be part of Sukkot for this purpose).
Interruptions after Shofar Blessing
Once the blessings have been said before (and for) blowing the shofar on Rosh HaShana, no one in the congregation may speak or do any action (hefsek) that will interrupt the entire process of blessings and the series of blowing the shofar. Any speaking that is not related to the shofar blowing or to the prayer service is forbidden.
SheHecheyanu at Candle-Lighting for Jewish Festivals
Say she'hecheyanu when lighting candles for:
  • Both days of Rosh Hashana,
  • Yom Kippur,
  • First day (if in Eretz Yisrael) or first two days of Sukkot,
  • Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah,
  • First day (if in Eretz Yisrael) or both days of Shavuot, and
  • First day (if in Eretz Yisrael) or first two days of Passover.
Note She'hecheyanu is not said on the last day (if in Eretz Yisrael) or last two days of Passover.