Tashlich – “Symbolically Tossing Out Your Sins”

Tashlich – What is it?

It is a symbolic way to “toss out your sins”.

What do you use?

Bread!

Why Bread?

Well, I’m not totally sure but I find it is interesting that at Rosh Hashanna we use bread to symbolically toss out sins and at Passover we get rid of chemetz from our homes, again, bread (yeast) symbolic of sins!

There has to be something to this!

Also, flour is used at the Temple on the Alter for a sacrifice.  It is truly a sacrifice when your putting flour that you could have cooked with and your not eating it, but putting it on an alter to be burned up!

As of Rosh Hashanna all the way to Hoshannah Rabbah (End of Succot) your allowed to “Symbolically toss out your sins”. If the 1st day of Rosh Hashanna is Sabbath, the Tashlich service is postponed until the 2nd day.

{For extensive treatment, see the Artscroll Tashlich}

Some Basic Rules:

1. If possible have the Rosh Hashanna Machzor with you, so that you can read all the prayers out loud.
2. One slice of bread per person
3. Go to a body of moving water that has living fish in it. You may not be able to see them, but if you know the creek or the pond or any moving body of water has fish, you can do this there.

Tashlich Prayer:

Who, O God is like you, Who pardons iniquity and overlooks transgressions for the remnant of His heritage?  Who has not restrained His wrath eternally, for He desires kindness!.  He will again be merciful to us; He will suppress our iniquities, And cast into the depths of the sea all of their sins. {And all the sins of Your nation, the House of Israel, cast away to a place  where they will neither be remembered, considered, nor brought to mind-ever} Grant truth to Jacob, kindness to Abraham, As You swore to our forefathers from ancient times.  From the straits did I call upon God, God answered me with expansiveness, Hashem is with me, I have no fear- How can man affect me?  Hashem is with me, through my helpers, therefore I can face my foes, It is better to take refuge in Hashem then to rely on man, It is better to take refuge in Hashem then to rely on nobbles.

Then continue with Reading the following:

1. Psalms 33
2. Psalms 78 – Prayer for Livelihood
3. There are additional supplications within the Rosh Hashanna Machzor to read also.
4. Psalms 130

Finish up with “Forever, Hashem, Your word stands upright in heaven”

(Kabbalah prayer can be added)

May it be Your will that by means of the illuminating perfection of the ancient Holy One which are eternal in the microcosm of infinitude that Your mercy may conquer Your anger and Your mercy may overwhelm, Your attributes. May Your comport Yourself toward us with Your Attributes of Mercy, and my You grand us a long and good life engaged in the study of Your Torah, and performance of Your commandments, to do Your will.  Amein, May such be Your will.

 

NOTES:  Artscroll Rosh Hashanna Machzor Page 631 to 645

 

Tashlik Prayer (Casting Away Your Sins)

Tashlik is said from Rosh Hashanna to Yom Kippur. Most families do this right after the services on Rosh Hashanna, but if you didn’t get a chance to do this at any point, you surely have the ability to complete it before Yom Kippur starts.

The water must be a body of water that moves, has fish in it. If you do not have that near you, you can use a creek etc.  Today, I took my lunch hour and went to the creek next to our office.

All you need is a slice of bread and a prayer to say. See below for the prayer and the hyperlinks to go with this. I happened to have found this prayer online also:

Who is like You,

God,

who removes iniquity and overlooks transgressions of the remainder of His inheritance.

He doesn’t remain angry forever because He desires kindness.

He will return and He will be merciful to us,

And He will conquer our iniquities

and

He will cast them into the depths of the seas.

Give truth to Jacob,

kindness to Abraham like that you swore to our ancestors from long ago.

From the straits I called upon G-d,

God answered me with expansiveness. 

God is with me,

I will not be afraid,

what can man doe to me?

God is with me to help me,

and

I will see my foes

(annihilated).

It is better to take refuge in God then trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in God, then to rely on nobles.

 

Many people also read Psalms 33 and Psalms 130. (Links below)

PSALMS:

http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16254

http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16351
Copied from:

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4838/jewish/Cast-Away-Sins.htm

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/427289/jewish/Tashlich-Prayer-English.htm

 

Why Do We Need the 10 Commandments?

Chapter 21 of Exodus is the exact answer for this question.

The Chapter is called in Hebrew “Mishpatim”,

which starts off with the verse 1 stating:
“And these are the ordinances that you shall place before them:…..
When I read the commentary this morning it explains the “Civil Law”.

**

(Quoting commentary)
The juxtaposition of this Sidrah (Dealing primary with civil law and tort law) with the Ten Commandments and the laws of the Alter provide a startling insight into Judaism.  To God, there is no realm of “Religion” in the colloquial sense of the word.  Most people think of religion as a matter of ritual and spirituality. Western man differentiates between Church and State.  

The Torah knows no such distinction.  To the contrary, all areas of life are intertwined and holiness derives from halachilly correct business dealings no less than from piety in matters of ritual. The Sages teach that one who wishes to be Chassid, or a devoutly pious person, should be scrupulous in matters of civil and tort law. (Bava Kamma 30a) for in Judaism the concept of the “temple” is in  the courtroom as well as in the synagogue.  This is the significance of the juxtaposition of chapters.

From this proximity, the Sages derive that the seat of the Sanhedrin, the seventy-one member court that is the supreme authority on halachic matters, should be on the Temple Mount, near the Temple itself, for both the Temple and the Sanhedrin  are expressions of holiness and worship of God.  A judge who rules correctly is considered a partner in Creation, and one who rules corruptly is a destroyer of God’s world.  It is quite natural, therefore, that immediately after carrying us through the recognition of God’s power, through the miracles of the Splitting of the Sea, and the Revelation of Sinai, the Torah commences with laws that seem almost mundane in character.  They are not in the least mundane.  They are as much expressions of God’s greatness as the First Commandment, which proclaims God’s existence and sovereignty.  This point is graphically illustrated by the first group of laws in the Sidrah, that of Jewish bondservants.  Even the most degraded men and women are created in the image of God, and their treatment is as carefully regulated by the Torah as the procedure of the Temple service on Yom Kippur.
Ramban comments that the civil law is an extension of the Tenth Commandment, which forbids covetousness. In order to know what he may not covert, one must know the rights and property of others. Elaborating on this concept, Sforno comments that the above commandment states that one may not covet anything that belongs to his fellow: so the Torah now goes on to begin defining what it is that belongs to others.

Copied from page 416 of The Stone Edition the Chumash, The Torah, Haftoros and Five Megillos with Commentary Anthologized from the Rabbinic Writings.  The ArtScroll Series, Published by Mesorah Publications, Ltd.

My Note:

When you are listening to those around you – think of the above statement and when your listening to the speeches of those wanting to run for president.

If they are not following this above guide-post, then do you really need to vote for that person to run your country?

Yom Kippur – Charity in the Name of Your Dearly Departed

Yizkor on Yom Kippur is one time in the year when we have the opportunity to honor and connect with the souls of our loved ones who have left this earth ahead of us.

As we remember and mention the names of our beloved on this holiest day of the year,

it is customary to make a monetary contribution to a cause that is dear to us.

This material act brings an additional measure of dignity

and 

merit to the departed souls,

and

helps channel their presence into our lives on earth.

**
I really believe that we should start within the area that we live in.

Know someone who’s lost a job,

get them a food card to the local food store.

Do it anonymously so that they have pride and you do not.

**
Give to the local  school –

they would know what children are in families that are having financial issues.

Again, give a food card to a person in the office that you trust and know will give it to the needy family.

(Do it anonymously so that they have pride and you do not. )

**

Give to a local food bank,

either food or money.

Some areas have even churches that offer food to the towns people.

**

Give to the local animal shelter,

they are in dire need of food.

Ask them they may have an amazon.com account that you can give and its shipped directly to them.

**
If you don’t have money then give your TIME… “Time is Money” ask any big business person what their view of TIME is.

**

Remember this is in the name of your departed,

once we leave this earth,

we no longer have a way to give back.

By you putting it in their name,

they are basically

“getting credits”

toward tithing now that they can no longer do it.

And finally…

Light a candle and watch the flame… this is symbolic of the soul. Remember those who have passed before you.

If you fast, may you have an “easy fast”… if your unable to fast… Know in your heart/mind and soul, that you too are fasting!

May we all be SEALED for a good year 5776

NOTES:
Excerpt of 1st paragraph only copied from: Simon Jacobson and The Meaningful Life Center

Eboli and What You Need to Know to Keep You & Your Family SAFE!

http://www.naturalnews.com/047089_Ebola_pandemic_government_lies_disinformation.html

 

I’m just sharing this article with you….

Please be safe!

If you are taking part in Yom Kippur, may you have an “easy fast”

Minchah Prayer for Eve Yom Kippur

Who is like You, Merciful Father,

Who Recalls His creatures mercifully for life!

 

And You are faithful to resuscitate the dead. 

Blessed are You Hashem, Who resuscitates the dead.

 

You are holy and Your Name is holy, and holy ones praise You every day, forever.

Blessed are You, Hashem, the holy King.

 

You graciously endow man with wisdom and teach insight to a frail mortal. Endow us graciously form Yourself with wisdom, insight, and discernment.

Blessed are You, Hashem, gracious Giver of wisdom.

 

Bring us back, our Father, to Your Torah, and bring us near our King, to Your service, and influence us to return in perfect repentance before You.

Blessed are you, Hashem, Who desires repentance.

 

(Strike the left side of your chest with the right while reciting the words “erred” and “sinned”)

Forgive us, our Father, for we have erred; pardon us, our King, for we have willfully sinned; for You pardon and forgive.

Blessed are You, Hashem, the gracious One Who pardons abundantly.

 

Behold our affliction, take up our grievance, and redeem us speedily for Your Name’s sake, for You are a powerful Redeemer.

Blessed are You, Hashem, Redeemer of Israel.

 

Heal us, Hashem – then we will be healed; save us – then we will be saved, for You are our praise.  Bring complete recovery for all our ailments, for You are God, King, the faithful and compassionate Healer.

Blessed are You, Hashem, Who heals the sick of His people Israel.

 

Bless on our behalf – O Hashem, our God – this year and all the kinds of crops for the best, and give a blessing on the face of the earth, and satisfy us from Your bounty, and bless our year like the best years.

Blessed are You, Hashem, Who blesses the years.

 

Sound the great shofar for our freedom, raise the banner to gather our exiles and gather us together from the four corners of the earth.

Blessed are You, Hashem, Who gathers in the dispersed of His people Israel.

 

Restore our judges as in earliest times and our counselors as at first; remove from us sorrow and groan and reign over us – You, Hashem, alone – with kindness and compassion, and justify us through judgments.

Blessed are You, Hashem, the King of judgment.

 

And for slanders let there be no hope; and may all wickedness perish in an instant; and may all Your enemies be cut down speedily.  May You speedily uproot, smash, cast down, and humble the wanton sinners – speedily in our days.

Blessed are You, Hashem, Who breaks enemies and humbles wanton sinners.

 

On the righteous, on the devout, on the elders of Your people the Family of Israel, on the remnant of their scholars, on the righteous converts and on ourselves – may Your compassion be aroused, Hashem, our God, and give goodly reward to all who sincerely believe in Your Name.  Put our lot with them forever and we will not feel ashamed, for we trust in You.

Blessed are you, Hashem, Mainstay and Assurance of the righteous.

 

And to Jerusalem, Your city, may You return in compassion, and may You rest within it, as You have spoken.  May You rebuild it soon in our days as an eternal structure, and may You speedily establish the throne of David within it.

Blessed are You, Hashem, the Builder of Jerusalem.

 

The offspring of Your servant David may you speedily cause to flourish, and enhance his pride through Your salvation, for we hope for Your salvation all day long.

Blessed are You, Hashem, Who causes the pride of salvation to flourish.

 

Hear our voice, Hashem our God, pity and be compassionate to us, and accept – with compassion and favor – our prayer, for God Who hears prayers and supplications are you.  From before Yourself, our King, turn us not away empty-handed, for You hear the prayer of Your people Israel with compassion.

Blessed are You, Hashem Who hears prayer

 

Be favorable, Hashem, our God, toward Your people Israel and their prayer and restore the service to the Holy of Holies for Your Temple.  The fire-offerings of Israel and their prayer accepted with love and favor, and may the service of Your people Israel always be favorable to You.

May our eyes behold Your return to Zion in compassion.

Blessed are You, Hashem, Who restores His Presence to Zion.

Amein

****

Yom Kippur is also known as “Day of Atonement”.

It starts at sunset and if it lands on Sabbath, Yom Kippur is still observed.

This is the day we beseech Hashem for Forgiveness.

The day we are “Sealed in the book of Life”

The day that shows us if we what type of year we will have.

 

 

May you all be sealed in the book of life, for love and happiness, health and wealth!

For those who fast… May you have an easy fast (25 hours)

 

Eve Yom Kippur Prayer copied from The Complete Artscroll Machzor pages 11 to 17

Rosh Hashanna – Tishre 1 (Hebrew Calendar)

If you are interested in learning more about Rosh Hashanah please see the link below.

Basically Rosh Hashanah is the birth of Adam. That means that Rosh Hashanah is a celebration of the creation of humans.

Everyone who has ever lived, lives now or will be created and live in the future are given “Rosh Hashanah” this day is not only for the Jewish, its for Humanity!

For more reading:

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4644/jewish/Rosh-Hashanah.htm

This year Rosh Hashanah is on Gregorian Calendar date Wednesday, September 4th (As of Sunset).  It is a 2 day holiday outside of Israel. Within Israel It is a one day holiday.

May you all be “Written in the Book of Life”. (This is what we say on Rosh Hashanah).

and on Yom Kippur (10 days later). we say “May you be Sealed in the book of life”.

So with that said, “May you all be written in the book of life and may you all be sealed in the book of life, for love, happiness, health and wealth”.

CORRECTION:

Adam was created on the 6th day… the 7th day (Sabbath) is the first Sabbath that Adam and Eve were given as a day of “Rest”. Elohim rested (Not because the creator needed rest but wanted the world/universe and the creation to have a rest).