Two Aspects To Rosh Hashanah
(Or: Observations on the approach of Sephardic tradition to ROsh Hashanah Services)
by Rabbi Simon Benzaquen
When Rosh Hashana arrives we are keenly aware of its significance. On one hand it is the awesome Day of Judgment when G-d determines the outcome of our entire year. We become anxious and frightened not knowing what awaits us. On the other hand, on Rosh Hashana night we also dip our apples into honey or sugar and partake of those symbols which signify what we hope for in the coming year; in which a happy and joyous mood prevails.
Sefaradim emphasize this happy and joyous mood of the Holiday especially in our Liturgy.
Notably, we do not recite “Unetane Tokef “ ("Let us express the mighty holiness of this day") one of the most solemn and powerful prayers of Rosh Hashana, recited by our brethren Ashkenazim as introduction of The Kedusha during The Amida of Mussaf. Attributed to Rabbi Amnon of Mainz (10th century), “Untaneh Tokef” is a heart wrenching prayer, filled with emotional and powerful words which would lead us to cry and emphasize the sad aspect and judgment of the Rosh Hashana Yom Tov. In contrast, our sister Congregations, The Ashkenazim, make this Prayer the central theme of the Rosh Hashana Amidah.
Reviewing the laws of Rosh Hashana further reminds us that within judgment itself there is cause for rejoicing. We enter the day clean and dressed in our best garments as a sign of our confidence in a favorable judgment. On Rosh Hashana we do not recite the vidui (confession). Rather than focusing on past sins and seeking forgiveness, we look forward with optimism to the future.
When we properly understand the future of the judgment on Rosh Hashana, however, the apparent paradox of rejoicing in judgment evaporates. We recognize that it is we who require the Divine Judgment, the annual opportunity for spiritual stocktaking. We summon G-d to judge us with the blasts of the Shofar that herald the convening of the Divine Tribunal. Our voluntary submission to judgment arouses Divine Mercy; that is the secret of the Shofar. The shofar also reminds us of the merits of our patriarchs, Abraham and Isaac, who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the love of G-d, and in their place a ram was brought.
On the two nights of Rosh Hashana we should make sure that we partake of the symbols that we hope for in the coming year. Also, during the two days of Rosh Hashana, Monday, September 14th, and Tuesday, September 15th, we blow the shofar in our Synagogue. Everyone should come to the Synagogue both days of Rosh Hashana.
Hearing the Shofar is the most important obligation of the two days of Rosh Hashana.
TASHLICH
We have a beautiful custom. On the first day of Rosh Hashana we recite the Tashlich Ceremony near a body of water. Tashlich are prayers recited while symbolically throwing away our sins.
Minha: 5:00 PM
Tashlich (at Lake Park & 12th Avenue): 6:30 PM
Arvit: 7:30 PM
Ziara - Cemetery Pilgrimage
On the Eve of Rosh Hashana, or Sunday before, it is customary to make a pilgrimage to the cemetery (Ziara) to recite memorial prayers at the grave of the righteous, including members of our families who are buried there. The purpose for doing this is to pray to G-d to hear our prayers in the merit of the righteous.
Tizku Le’Shanim Rabbot.
Rabbi Simon Benzaquen
When Rosh Hashana arrives we are keenly aware of its significance. On one hand it is the awesome Day of Judgment when G-d determines the outcome of our entire year. We become anxious and frightened not knowing what awaits us. On the other hand, on Rosh Hashana night we also dip our apples into honey or sugar and partake of those symbols which signify what we hope for in the coming year; in which a happy and joyous mood prevails.
Sefaradim emphasize this happy and joyous mood of the Holiday especially in our Liturgy.
Notably, we do not recite “Unetane Tokef “ ("Let us express the mighty holiness of this day") one of the most solemn and powerful prayers of Rosh Hashana, recited by our brethren Ashkenazim as introduction of The Kedusha during The Amida of Mussaf. Attributed to Rabbi Amnon of Mainz (10th century), “Untaneh Tokef” is a heart wrenching prayer, filled with emotional and powerful words which would lead us to cry and emphasize the sad aspect and judgment of the Rosh Hashana Yom Tov. In contrast, our sister Congregations, The Ashkenazim, make this Prayer the central theme of the Rosh Hashana Amidah.
Reviewing the laws of Rosh Hashana further reminds us that within judgment itself there is cause for rejoicing. We enter the day clean and dressed in our best garments as a sign of our confidence in a favorable judgment. On Rosh Hashana we do not recite the vidui (confession). Rather than focusing on past sins and seeking forgiveness, we look forward with optimism to the future.
When we properly understand the future of the judgment on Rosh Hashana, however, the apparent paradox of rejoicing in judgment evaporates. We recognize that it is we who require the Divine Judgment, the annual opportunity for spiritual stocktaking. We summon G-d to judge us with the blasts of the Shofar that herald the convening of the Divine Tribunal. Our voluntary submission to judgment arouses Divine Mercy; that is the secret of the Shofar. The shofar also reminds us of the merits of our patriarchs, Abraham and Isaac, who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the love of G-d, and in their place a ram was brought.
On the two nights of Rosh Hashana we should make sure that we partake of the symbols that we hope for in the coming year. Also, during the two days of Rosh Hashana, Monday, September 14th, and Tuesday, September 15th, we blow the shofar in our Synagogue. Everyone should come to the Synagogue both days of Rosh Hashana.
Hearing the Shofar is the most important obligation of the two days of Rosh Hashana.
TASHLICH
We have a beautiful custom. On the first day of Rosh Hashana we recite the Tashlich Ceremony near a body of water. Tashlich are prayers recited while symbolically throwing away our sins.
Minha: 5:00 PM
Tashlich (at Lake Park & 12th Avenue): 6:30 PM
Arvit: 7:30 PM
Ziara - Cemetery Pilgrimage
On the Eve of Rosh Hashana, or Sunday before, it is customary to make a pilgrimage to the cemetery (Ziara) to recite memorial prayers at the grave of the righteous, including members of our families who are buried there. The purpose for doing this is to pray to G-d to hear our prayers in the merit of the righteous.
Tizku Le’Shanim Rabbot.
Rabbi Simon Benzaquen
RSS Feed
