GUIDE TO CONTENTS

4. Message from Chief Lord Sacks 7. Introduction from Rabbi Andrew Shaw 8. Spotlight on 10. Kiddushim for Rosh Hashanah 12. Rosh Hashanah Customs 18. Essay 1: Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish People as God’s Ambassadors 22. Spotlight on the Ten Days of Teshuva (Repentance) 30. Essay 2: The Ten Days of Teshuva - A Time for Self Improvement This booklet contains the name of Hashem. 30. Spotlight on Yom Please treat it respectfully and don’t throw it away. 32. The Practicalities of 34. Essay 3: Yom Kippur - Making a Difference to Others 38. Spotlight on Succot 40. The Arba Minim () 42. The Succah and (special guests) 44. Yom Tov Kiddush 48. Essay 4: Succot - Celebrating the Joy of Life 52. Spotlight on Hoshanah Rabbah 54. Essay 5: Hoshanah Rabbah - The Gate is Closing 56. Spotlight on and Simchat 60. Essay 6: - The Secret of Happiness 64. Chesed: Moving Forward 66. Final word from Rabbi Andrew Shaw

3 INTRODUCTION GUIDE TO TISHREI A Time of Jewish Growth

A message for Tishrei from Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks ‘A deeper experience’ The month of Tishrei is a sustained tutorial in spiritual growth. It begins with the clarion call of the on Rosh Hashanah, telling us that the King is sitting in the throne of judgement, the universe has become a courtroom, and our lives are under review. It is the beginning of 10 days of self-reckoning, in which, in total honesty, we ask ourselves how far we have achieved our mission as God’s ambassadors on earth. It is a challenging time, but also a potentially life-changing one. Without this annual exercise, our lives can drift and we can fail to direct our energies to achieve our deepest aspirations and ideals.

Then comes Yom Kippur, the holy of holies of Jewish time. This is when we admit our failings, throw ourselves on God’s compassion, and come to know one of ’s most empowering truths, that God forgives us for the wrong we do, when we recognize and admit that we did wrong. This frees us from the burden of the past, allowing ourselves to rededicate ourselves to a renewed future. It is a supreme moment of cleansing.

Next comes Succot, when we remind ourselves of the long journey of our ancestors through the wilderness on their way to the promised land. The succah tells us that we can live in the most temporary of dwellings, exposed to the wind and rain, with only leaves as a roof, and yet still rejoice, knowing that we live beneath the sacred canopy FOR TISHREI of the Shechinah the Divine presence. Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah conclude the long stretch of sacred days with a sense of new beginnings. We read again of how God created the universe at the dawn of time, and we prepare ourselves to become His partners in the work of creation in the year ahead. We rejoice in the Torah, the living testimony of the covenant our ancestors made with God at Mount Sinai, and which still, 33 centuries later, defines us as a people.

The more we learn and study about these holy days, the deeper our experience of them and the more powerful becomes their impact on our lives. So I congratulate the United and Rabbi Andrew Shaw for this wonderful project, guiding us through the days ahead. The more we learn, the more we understand and the more we grow. May this year be a time of Jewish growth for us all.

Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks September 2010 / Ellul 5770

5 INTRODUCTION GUIDE TO TISHREI Introduction

TIMELINE By Rabbi Andrew Shaw Director of Living & Learning 1 15 First Day of First Day of We hope you enjoy this Guide to Tishrei – the first of our US Living & Learning series Rosh Hashanah Succot of publications. These publications are a new resource to help link our members to relevant, meaningful and authentic Judaism for the 21st century. 2 16 Second Day of Second Day of Perhaps more than any other, this is a time of year when communities come together Rosh Hashanah Succot to connect to their heritage. Sadly, for so many of us, these days are simply yearly occurrences devoid of real meaning and substance. What this guide aims to do is to 17 talk to us in modern language making these Days of Awe not just awesome but relevant Chol Hamoed as well. 3 (4)* 18 Take a look inside and you’ll find overviews on all the festivals that fall in Tishrei: from Fast of Gedaliah Chol Hamoed Rosh Hashanah to Simchat Torah. There is information on the customs and practicalities of the festivals as well as six inspiring and thought-provoking essays for you to read. * If 3rd Tishrei falls on 19 then the fast Chol Hamoed There are a great number of ideas contained in every section. Although you could takes place on the Sun- probably read this guide from cover to cover in less than an hour, I’d recommend day (as in 2010/5771) 20 instead that you take just a few minutes during each of the festival days (or perhaps the Chol Hamoed day before) to look at the relevant pages.

I hope you’ll find this guide a useful resource which helps you to enter these special 21 days with more knowledge and more inspiration throughout the wonderful month of 9 Hoshanah Night Rabbah Tishrei. 10 L’shana tova Yom Kippur 22 Shemini Atzeret 23 Acknowledgements Simchat Torah Thanks to Rabbi Leo Dee for his invaluable help in the production of the Guide To Tishrei namely authoring the essays which make up the majority of the book. The Chief Rabbi for his support throughout and his words of inspiration. The US Marketing Department – Ian Myers, Fiona Palmer, Richard Marcus, Ruth Millet and Josh Saunders for all their help regarding the production of the guide. Along with Jonny Lipczer. Rabbi Mordechai Ginsbury, Kaplan and David Frei for their advice on content and style. Candice Woolfson for her input in regard to the Chesed aspect of the book. The Orthodox Union for information from their website.

7 INTRODUCTION GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘What’s the meaning?’

The shofar sounds, the world is judged but what does Rosh Hashanah mean for us? Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the human race, God’s final and most precious creation. Every Rosh Hashanah we renew our commitment to our Creator – proclaiming him as our One and True King.

Here are just four actions we can all take to prepare for Rosh Hashanah:

1. Analyse our deeds and make a list of some New Year resolutions.

2. Look through the Rosh Hashanah machzor (prayer book) to better understand the Rosh HashanaH prayers. 3. Make out a cheque to our favourite charity.

4. Make sure we have apple and honey ready for the dinner. (For other special foodstuffs see page 12 on simanim (symbolic foods)).

9 Rosh Hashanah GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘The Blessings’ Kiddush for Rosh Hashanah Evening On Shabbat add: Vay-hi erev vay-hi voker Yom Hashishi. .It was evening and it was morning the sixth day ְִַויהי ֶערב ְִַויהי ֶבֹקר י וֹ ם ה שׁ שׁ ִִַּּי . . Vay’chulu hashamayim v’ha-aretz v’chol tz’va-am. .The heavens and earth were finished and all their hosts ְַֻ ּ ּויכלו ַ השׁ ָּ ִַמיםְָ ֶָוהארץ ְָוכל ְָָצבאם . . Vay’chal Elohim bayom hash’vi-i On the seventh day, God finished ְַַויכל ֱא ִהים ַּביוֹ ם השׁ ְִַּ ִביעי m’lachto asher asah, vayishbot bayom hash’vi-i ּ ּ the work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day ְַ ְ ּמלאכתוֹ א שׁ ֲֶר ָָעשׂ ה, ִַ וישׁ ְ ּבֹת ַּביוֹ ם השׁ ְִַּ ִביעי mikol m’lachto asher asah. .from all the work that He had done ִָּמכלְַ ְ ּמלאכתוֹ א שׁ ֲֶר ע ָָשׂ ה . . ,Vay’varech Elohim et yom hash’vi-i vay-kadeish oto ְ ,God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it ְֶַָויברך ֱא ִהים ֶאת י וֹ ם השׁ ְִַּ ִביעי ְַַ ֵ ּויקדשׁ אֹתוֹ , , ki vo shavat mikol m’lachto for on that day, God rested from all the work ִּכי ב ֹ ו שׁ ַָב ת ִָּמכלְַ ְ ּמלאכתוֹ asher bara Elohim la-asot. .that He had created א שׁ ֲֶר ָָּברא ֱא ִהים ל ֲַע שֹ וֹ ת . .

On other evenings, start Kiddush here: Savri maranan, ,Please pay attention, my masters ַ ְִסברי ָָ ָמרנן ,Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam ְ ְ ,Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe ָּ ּברוך ַָּאתה י י ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ֶֶמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם borei p’ri hagafen. .who creates the fruit of the vine ּב וֹ ֵר א ְִּפרי ֶַָּהגפן.

On Shabbat, add the words in parentheses. ,Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam ְ ְ ,Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe ָ ּ ּברוך ַָּאתה י י ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ֶֶ מלך ָ העוֹ ָלם , , asher bachar banu mikol am ,who has chosen us from among all peoples ֲ אשׁ ֶ ר ַָ בחר ָ ּבנו ִָ ּּּמכל ָעם Kiddush v’rom’manu mikol lashon v’kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, ,raised us above all tongues and made us holy through His commandments ְ ורוֹ ְָ ממנו ִָ מכל ָ לשׁ וֹ ן ּוקדשׁ ְְִָ ּּנו ּּבמצוֹ ְְִָתיו , , vatiten lanu Adonai Eloheinu b’ahavah et You have given us, Lord our God, in love ִַ ֶּּ ותתן ָ ּלנו י י ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ְֲַָּ באהבה ֶאת (Yom HaShabbat hazeh v’et) (this Sabbath and) ( י וֹ ם ַ השׁ ַָּ ּבת ֶַ ּהזה ְֶואת ) ) Yom HaZikaron hazeh, Yom (Zichron) T’ruah Day of Remembrance, a day of (remembering) blowing the shofar י וֹ ם ִַָ ּהזכרוֹ ן ֶַּּהזה, י וֹ ם ( ז ְִכ ר וֹ ן) ּ ְָּתרועה (b’ahavah) mik’ra kodesh zecher liytziat Mitzrayim, ,in love), a holy assembly in memory of the exodus from Egypt) ( ְֲַָּבאהבה) ְִָ מקרא ֶ קֹדשׁ ֵֶ זכר ִִַ ליציאת ְִִָמצרים , , ki vanu vacharta v’otanu kidashta mikol ha-amim, ,for You have chosen us and sanctified us above all peoples ִּכי ָ בנו ּ בחרתְְַָָ ואוֹ ָ ּּתנו קדשׁ ּּת ְִִַָָ ּמכל ִַָּהעמים , , .u’d’varcha emet v’kayam la’ad ָ .and Your word is true and endures for ever ְּ ְָ ודברך ֱ ֶ אמת ְַָ ּוקים ַָלעד. Baruch atah Adonai, melech al kol ha’aretz m’kadeish ְ ְ Blessed are You, Lord, King over all the earth, who sanctifies ָ ּ ּברוך ַָּאתה ,י י ֶ ֶ מלך ַ על ָ ּכל ָ ֶָ הארץ ְֵַ ּמקדשׁ (haShabbat v’) Yisrael v’Yom HaZikaron. .the Sabbath), and the Day of Remembrance) (השׁ ַַָּ ּבת ְו) ְִָ ֵ ישׂראל ְ ויוֹ ם ִַָּּהזכרוֹ ן.

The following blessing is said on both nights of Rosh Hashanah:

,Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam ְ ְ ,Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe ָ ּ ּברוך ַָּאתה י י ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ֶֶ מלך ָ העוֹ ָלם , , she’he’cheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higiy’anu lazman hazeh. .who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this time שׁ ֶ ֶ ֱָ החינו ְְִָּּּוקימנו ְִִ ָּ והגיענו ּּ ְַַ לזמן ֶַּהזה . . 

11 Rosh Hashanah GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘Blessings & Simanim’

First Night Rosh Hashanah

On the first night of Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to make the blessing of HaMotzi over two round Challahs (representing the cycle of the year).

Many people have the custom to eat specific foods on the first night of Rosh Hashanah and to make requests to God that allude to the name of the food in Hebrew.

The custom of eating symbolic foods at the start of a new year is based on the Talmudic statement that “omens have significance”. Customs vary from community to community; the most widespread is to eat an apple dipped in honey as a sign of “a sweet new year”. Others eat carrots, leeks, beets, dates, gourds, pomegranates, fish or the head of a fish. Customs Each custom has its own symbolism and associated prayer. In Judaism the beginning of something contains within it the potential of the whole. So our experiences on the first day of the year are a taste of the days that are to come. Tasting the sweetness of the apple and honey, we pray that the rest of the year, will bring sweetness.

13 Rosh Hashanah GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘Eating symbolic foods’ Simanim (Symbolic Foods)

Following HaMotzi, we dip a piece of apple in honey and say the following blessing:

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, ָּ ּ ְברוך ַָּאתה יי ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ֶֶ ְמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם BlessedBaruch are atahYou, the Adonai Lord our Eloheinu God, King of melech the universe, ha-olam, ָּ ּ ְברוך ַָּאתה יי ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ֶֶ ְמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם ,boreiBlessed arep’ri You, ha’eitz. the Lord our God, King of the universe ּב וֹ ֵר א ְִּפרי ֵָהעץ. whoborei creates p’ri the ha’eitz. fruit of the tree. who creates the fruit of the tree.  ּב וֹ ֵר א ְִּפרי ֵָהעץ.  We then make the following request:  Yehi ratzon mil’fanecha  ְִ יהי ָ רצוֹ ן ִ ְֶָ ָמלפניך MayYehi it beratzon your will mil’fanecha ָ ְִ יהי ָ רצוֹ ן ִ ְֶָמלפניך AdonaiMay it be your Eloheinu will v’Elohei avoteinu יי ֱא ֵ ּהינו ֵואהי ֲֵ אבוֹ ֵ ּתינו LordAdonai our God Eloheinu and God of v’Elohei our fathers avoteinu  ,Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam יי ֱא ֵ ּהינו ֵואהי ֲֵ אבוֹ ֵ ּתינו ,Baruchshet’chadeshLord our God atah and Adonai aleinuGod of our shanaEloheinu fathers tova melech u’m’tuka. ha-olam שׁ ֶ ְּתְֵַ חדש ֵָ ּעלינו שׁ ָָ נה טוֹ ָ ְ בה ְָּּומתוקה . . ,Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe ָּ ּ ְברוך ַָּאתה יי ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ֶֶ ְמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם ,Blessedthat You are renew You, forthe us Lord a good our andGod, sweet King year.of the universe ָּ ּברוך ַָּאתה יי ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ֶֶמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם .shet’chadesh shana tova u’m’tuka שׁ ֶ ְּתֵַ חדש ֵָ ּעלינו שׁ ָָ נה טוֹ ָ בה ְָּּומתוקה . . boreithatborei You p’rip’ri renew ha’eitz.ha’eitz. for us a good and sweet year.  who creates the fruit of the tree.  ּב וֹ ֵר א ּ ְִּפרי ֵָהעץ. who creates the fruit of the tree.  ּב וֹ ֵר א ְִפרי ֵָהעץ. Yehi ratzon mil’fanecha  ָ  ְִ יהי ָ רצוֹ ן ִ ְֶָמלפניך MayYehiBaruch it beratzon your atah will mil’fanecha Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, Yehi ratzon mil’fanecha ּ ּ ְברוך ּאתה יי א ָָ ּהינו ְמלך ה ע וֹ ל ם – ,YehiAdonaiMay Blessedsing it ratzonbe are yourto Eloheinu You, thewill mil’fanecha the Lordtune v’Elohei our God,of “Clementine”Kingavoteinu of the univ …erse ְִָ ְִ יהייהי ָ ָ many רצוֹ רצוֹ ַָןן ִ ִ that ְְֱֶֶָָ ָמלפניךמלפניךThere is a popularָָ children’sֶֶ ֵsong May it be your will ייְִ ֱיהיא ָ ֵרצוֹ ן ּהינוִ ֵואְֶָהימלפניך ֲֵ אבוֹ ֵ ּתינו ... MayLordAdonaiborei itour be p’riGodyour Eloheinu and ha’eitz.will God of v’Elohei our fathers avoteinu… … Dip the apple in the honey. Say theּ brachaAdonai loud Eloheinu and clear. v’Elohei Shanah avoteinu Tova“ AdonaiLordwho ourcreates God Eloheinu the and fruit God of ofthev’Elohei our tree. fathers avoteinu …  ּב וֹ יייי ֵ ֱֱר אא ְִֵֵפריּּהינוהינו ֵֵֵָואהעץ. היהי ֲֵ ֲֵ אבוֹ אבוֹ ֵֵ ּּתינותינו ... Lord our God and God of our fathers יי ֱא ֵ ּהינו ֵואהי ֲֵ אבוֹ ֵ ּתינו u’Metukah. Have a happy, sweetLord our God New and God Year!” of our fathers   shet’chadesh…shet’chadesh sheyistal’ku aleinualeinu oy’veinu. shanashana tovatova u’m’tuka.u’m’tuka. שׁ ֶ ְּתֵַ חדש ֵָ ּעלינו שׁ ָָ נה טוֹ ָ בה ְָּּומתוקה . . .that You renew for us a good and sweet year שׁ ֶ... שׁ ְּת ֵַּ ְִֶ ַּ חדשְ ֵָּיסתלקו ּעלינואוֹ שׁ ְֵָָ ּּנהיבינו . טוֹ ָ בה ְָּּומתוקה . . .that…Yehi that sheyistal’kuYou ourratzon renew adversaries for mil’fanecha us oy’veinu.a begood removed. and sweet year ְִ יהי ָ רצוֹ ן ִ ְֶָ ָמלפניך to ... yourMay itRosh be your willHashanah meal: שׁ ְִֶּ ַּ toּ ְ add יסתלקו אוֹ ְֵּּיבינו . Symbolic Here are some examples of simanim) … that our adversaries be removed.  …Adonai sheyirbu Eloheinu z’chuyoteinu. v’Elohei avoteinu  Yehi ratzon mil’fanecha יי ...ֱ שׁ אֶ ְִֵ ּ ּהינוירבו ְֵ ֻ ואּּזכיוֹ ֵהי ּּתנוֲֵ . אבוֹ ֵ ּתינו Yehi…Lord that sheyirbu our ratzonour God merits and mil’fanechaz’chuyoteinu. increase. God of our fathers ָ May it be your will ְִ ְִ יהייהי ָ ָ רצוֹ רצוֹ ןן ִ ִ ְְֶֶָָ ָמלפניךמלפניך May…shet’chadesh that it be our your merits will increase. aleinu shana tova u’m’tuka. ... שׁ ֶ ְִ ּירבו ְ ֻ ּּזכיוֹ ֵּּתנו . . … Adonai Eloheinu v’Elohei avoteinu שׁ ֶ ְּתֵַ חדש ֵָ ּעלינו שׁ ָָ נה טוֹ ָ בה ְָּּומתוקה . (foods

Adonai…that shetigzor You renewEloheinu for aleinu us a v’Eloheigood g’zeirot and sweet avoteinu tovot. year. …  … Lord our God and God of our fathers יייי שׁ... ֱ ֱאֶא ִֵּ ֵת ְג ז ֹ ּהינו ו ּהינו ֵ ֵ ר ואואֵָ היּעלינוהי ֲֵ ְֲֵ ג ֵזאבוֹ ראבוֹ ֹ ו ֵֵ ת ּתינוּט תינו וֹ ...ב ...וֹ .ת Lord… that shetigzor our you God decree and aleinuGodon us of only our g’zeirot goodfathers decrees. … tovot.   שׁ... ֶ ִּת ְג ז ֹ ו ר ֵָ ּעלינו ְג ֵז ר ֹ ו ת ט וֹ ב וֹ .ת … that you decree on us only good decrees.  …Yehi sheyitamu ratzon mil’fanecha son’einu.  sheyistal’ku oy’veinu.  … ְִ ... יהישׁ ָ ּ ִֶַּ רצוֹ ןּ ִ יתמו שֹוֹ ְְֵֶָָמלפניך ּּנאינו . . .For beetroots: ּ ּ …May that sheyistal’ku it ourbe your enemies will beoy’veinu. consumed .that sheyitamu our adversaries son’einu. be removed … ...... שׁ שׁ ְִֶּ ְִֶ ַּ ַּ ְ ְ ּיסתלקויסתלקו אוֹ אוֹ ְְֵֵּּיבינוּּיבינו . . . Adonai that our adversariesEloheinu be v’Eloheiremoved. avoteinu …… ... שׁ ּ ִֶַּ ּיתמו שֹוֹ ְֵּּנאינו . . … that our enemies be consumed.  Lord shenif’reh our God and v’nirbeh God of our fatherskadagim. … … יי ֱא ֵ ּהינו ֵואהי ֲֵ אבוֹ ֵ ּתינו ... sheyirbu z’chuyoteinu.  … ... שׁ ּ נפרה ונרבה ּּ ּכדגים . . The Hebrew for beetroots is ‘selek’ִַָ ְְִֶwhichּּּ ְִֶֶ resembles… that sheyirbu the we be word fruitful z’chuyoteinu. and ‘sheyistal’ku’, multiply like fish. meaning .that shenif’reh our merits increase.v’nirbeh kadagim … ...... שׁ שׁ ֶ ֶ ְִ ְִ ּירבוירבו ְ ְ ֻ ֻ ּּזכיוֹ זכיוֹ ֵֵּּתנוּּתנו . . . that our merits increase.  … ... שׁ ּ ְִֶֶ נפרה ְְִֶ ונרבה ּּ ִַָּכדגים . . adversaries. When saying this we could think about… that the we be removalfruitful and multiply of ALL like fish. the barriers …… shenih’yeh sheyistal’ku l’rosh oy’veinu. v’lo l’zanav.  shetigzor aleinu g’zeirot tovot.  … ... שׁ ּ ְִֶּ ַּ ְ ּיסתלקו אוֹ ְֵּּיבינו . . .that thatshetigzor we our be adversaries as the aleinu head be and g’zeirotremoved. not as the tovot. tail …… ... שׁ ְִֶֶ נהיה ְ לרֹאשׁ ְוא ְָָלזנב . .to change for us this year .that shenih’yeh you decree on l’rosh us only v’lo good l’zanav.decrees … שׁ... שׁ... ֶ ֶ ִִּּתתְ ְגג ז ֹ ז ֹ ו ו ר ר ֵָ ֵָ ּעלינוּעלינו ְְגגֵזֵז ר ֹ ר ֹ ו ו ת ת ט וֹ ט וֹ ב וֹב וֹ .ת .ת that you decree on us only good decrees.  … ּ that we be as the head and not as the tail.  … ... שׁ ְִֶֶ נהיה ְ לרֹאשׁ ְוא ְָָלזנב . . …… shetarbeh sheyirbu z’chuyoteinu.z’chuyoteinu k’rimon.  sheyitamu son’einu.  … ... שׁ ֶ ְִ ּירבו ְ ֻ ּּזכיוֹ ֵ ּּּתנו . :For black-eyed beans .that thatsheyitamu our our merits merits increaseson’einu.increase. like (the seeds of) a pomegranate …… ... שׁ ֶ ְַּּ ֶ תרבה ְֻ זכיוֹ ֵ ּתינו ְִּּ ּכרמוֹ ן . . .that shetarbeh our enemies z’chuyoteinu be consumed. k’rimon … ...... שׁ שׁ ּ ִֶַּ ִֶַּ ּ ּיתמויתמו שֹוֹ שֹוֹ ְְֵֵּּנאינוּּנאינו . . . that our enemies be consumed.  … ּ that our merits increase like (the seeds of) a pomegranate. … ... שׁ ֶ ְַּ ֶ תרבה ְֻ זכיוֹ ֵ ּתינו ְִּּ ּכרמוֹ ן . .  … shetigzor aleinu g’zeirot tovot.  The Hebrew for black-eyed beans is ‘rubya’ which… resemblesshenif’reh v’nirbeh the word kadagim. ‘yirbu’,  .thatshenif’reh you decree v’nirbeh on us only goodkadagim. decrees …… שׁ... ֶ ִּת ְג ז ֹ ו ר ֵָ ּעלינו ְג ֵז ר ֹ ו ת ט וֹ ב וֹ .ת .that we be fruitful and multiply like fish … ... שׁ ּ ּ ְִֶֶ נפרה ְְִֶ ונרבה ּּּּ ִַָּכדגים .  could… that be we better be fruitful andin multiplythe year like fish. ahead. ... שׁ we ְִֶֶ נפרה how ְְִֶ ונרבה aboutּ ִַָכדגים . meaning to increase. We think  … sheyitamu son’einu.  … shenih’yeh l’rosh v’lo l’zanav. .thatshenih’yeh our enemies l’rosh be consumed. v’lo l’zanav …… ... שׁ ּ ִֶַּ ּיתמו שֹוֹ ְֵּּנאינו . . .that we be as the head and not as the tail … ... שׁ ּ ְִֶֶּ נהיה ְ לרֹאשׁ ְוא ְָָלזנב . . that we be as the head and not as the tail.  … ... שׁ ְִֶֶ נהיה ְ לרֹאשׁ ְוא ְָָלזנב . .  … shenif’reh v’nirbeh kadagim.  .shetarbeh z’chuyoteinu k’rimon … ... שׁ ּ נפרה ונרבה ּּ ּכדגים . . thatshetarbeh we be fruitful z’chuyoteinu and multiplyRosh like k’rimon. fish. H ashanah … … ְִֶֶ ְְִֶ ּ 15 ִַָ .that our merits increase like (the seeds of) a pomegranate … ... שׁ ֶ ְַּ ֶ תרבה ְֻ ּזכיוֹ ֵ ּתינוּ ְִּּּּ ּ ּכרמוֹ ן . . that our merits increase like (the seeds of) a pomegranate. … ... שׁ ֶ ְַּ ֶ תרבה ְֻ זכיוֹ ֵ תינו ְִכרמוֹ ן . .  … shenih’yeh l’rosh v’lo l’zanav.   .that we be as the head and not as the tail … ... שׁ ְִֶֶּ נהיה ְ לרֹאשׁ ְוא ְָָלזנב .   … shetarbeh z’chuyoteinu k’rimon. .that our merits increase like (the seeds of) a pomegranate … ... שׁ ֶ ְַּ ֶ תרבה ְֻ ּזכיוֹ ֵ ּתינו ְִּּ ּכרמוֹ ן . .    ,Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam ְ ְ ,Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe ָּ ּברוך ַָּאתה יי ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ֶֶמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם borei p’ri ha’eitz. who creates the fruit of the tree.  ּב וֹ ֵר א ְִּפרי ֵָהעץ.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, ּ ּ ְברוך ּאתה יי א ּהינו ְמלך ה ע וֹ ל ם Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe, ָ ַָ ֱ ֵ ֶֶָָ .borei p’ri ha’eitz ָ Yehi ratzon mil’fanecha ְִּ יהי ָ ּרצוֹ ן ִ ְֶָמלפניך .Maywho createsit be your the willfruit of the tree ב וֹ ֵר א ְִפרי ֵָהעץ.  Adonai Eloheinu v’Elohei avoteinu  יי ֱא ֵ ּהינו ֵואהי ֲֵ אבוֹ ֵ ּתינו Lord our God and God of our fathers  ,YehiBaruch ratzon atah mil’fanechaAdonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam ְ ָ ְ shet’chadeshBlessed are You, the aleinu Lord our shana God, King tova of theu’m’tuka. universe,  שָּׁ ְִֶ ְּיהיּ תָ ברוך ֵַ רצוֹ ַָּן חדשִ אתה ייֵָ ְֱֶָ אּעלינו שׁמלפניך ָ ֵ ָ ּנההינו טוֹ ֶֶָ מלךבה ה ע וֹ ָָל ְָּּם ומתוקה . . thatMay Youit be renew your will for us a good and sweet year. GUIDE TO TISHREI boreiBaruch p’ri ha’eitz. atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, GUIDE TO TISHREI Adonai Eloheinu v’Elohei avoteinu ּ ְ ְ who Blessedcreates arethe fruitYou, ofthe the Lord tree. our God, King of the universe,ָ ּּב ייוֹ ברוך ֵ ֱר א ַָּא ְִֵּאתה ייּפריהינו ֵ ֱ אֵָואֵהעץ. הי ּהינו ֲֵ אבוֹ ֵֶֶמלך ה ּתינו ע וֹ ָָל ם Lord our God and God of our fathers  boreiBaruch p’ri atah ha’eitz. Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, .Yehishet’chadeshָּ ratzon mil’fanecha aleinu shana tova u’m’tuka ּ ְברוך ַָּאתה יי ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ֶֶ ְמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם ,whoBlessed creates are You,the fruit the Lordof the our tree. God, King of the univ erse ּב וֹ ֵ שׁר ֶא ְּ ּתְִֵַ פרי חדשֵָ העץֵָ. ּעלינו ָשׁ ָָ נה טוֹ ָ בה ְָּּומתוקה . . .that You renew for us a good and sweet year ְִ יהי ָ רצוֹ ן ִ ְֶָמלפניך .MayYehi boreiit beratzon your p’ri will mil’fanecha ha’eitz ָ   ְִ יהי ָ רצוֹ ן ִ ְֶָמלפניך … Adonaiּ who creates Eloheinu the fruit v’Elohei of the tree. avoteinuב וֹ ֵר א ְִּפרי ֵָהעץ. May it be your will   יי ֱא ֵ ּהינו ֵואהי ֲֵ אבוֹ ֵ ּתינו ... LordAdonaiYehi our God Eloheinuratzon and God mil’fanecha of v’Elohei our fathers avoteinu…  ָ Yehi ratzon mil’fanecha ְִ יהי ָ יי ֱארצוֹ ן ִֵ ּהינו ְֵֶָואמלפניך הי ֲֵ אבוֹ ֵ ּתינו LordMay our Godit be andyour God will of our fathers  ְִ יהי ָ רצוֹ ן ִ ְֶָ ָמלפניך Simanim May it be your will  Daytime Kiddush for AdonaiYehi ratzon Eloheinu mil’fanecha v’Elohei avoteinu ָ … .Adonaishet’chadesh sheyistal’ku Eloheinu aleinu oy’veinu. v’Elohei shana avoteinutova u’m’tuka…ְִ יי ֱיהי שׁ אָ ֶ ְֵּתרצוֹ ן ֵַ ּהינוִ ֵחדש ואְֵֶָָמלפניךהי ֲֵּ עלינו שׁ ָאבוֹ ָ ֵנה ּתינוטוֹ ָ בה ְָּּומתוקה . . LordMay ourit be God your and will God of our fathers .Lordthat Youour Godrenew and for God us a of good our andfathers sweet … year יי... ֱשׁ א ּ ְִֵֶ ַּ ּהינוְ ּ ֵואיסתלקו אוֹ הי ְֲֵֵ ּּיבינואבוֹ .ֵ ּתינו ... … thatAdonai our adversaries Eloheinu be removed. v’Elohei avoteinu shet’chadesh aleinu shana tova u’m’tuka. שׁ ֶיי ְֱּאת ֵֵַ חדשּהינו ֵֵָוא ּעלינו שׁהי ָ ֲֵ ָ נהאבוֹ ֵטוֹ ָ ּתינו בה ְָּּומתוקה . . (Symbolic Foods) Cont’d...Lord our God and God of our fathers  Rosh Hashanah … sheyirbuthat You renew z’chuyoteinu. for us a good and sweet year.  Yehishet’chadesh ratzon mil’fanecha aleinu shana tova u’m’tuka. .that sheyistal’ku our merits increase. oy’veinu שׁ…ֶ ְּת... ֵַ שֶׁ ְִ חדש ֵָּירבו ְ ֻ ּעלינו ּּשׁזכיוֹ ֵָָ ָּּתנונה . טוָֹ בה ְָּּומתוקה . . Maythat it be You your renew will for us a good and sweet year.  ְִ יהי ָ ּרצוֹ ּן ִ ְֶָּמלפניך ּּ :that our adversaries be removed.  On Shabbat add … ... שׁ ְִֶ ַ ְ יסתלקו אוֹ ְֵיבינו . .  Adonai shetigzorYehi Eloheinuratzon aleinu mil’fanecha v’Elohei g’zeirot avoteinu tovot. ……יהי רצוֹ ן ָמלפניך LordMay our Godit be andyour God will of our fathers …  V’shamru v’nei Yisrael et hashabbatְִ ָ יי ֱא ִֵ ּהינו ְֵֶָואהי ֲֵ אבוֹ ֵ ּתינו ... :For carrots ושׁ ּמרו בני ישֹראל את־השׁ ּ ּבת .that sheyirbu you decree z’chuyoteinu. on us only good decrees … שׁ... ֶ ִּת ְג ז ֹ ו ר ֵָ ּעלינו ְג ֵז ר ֹ ו ת ט וֹ ב וֹ .ת ,Yehi ratzon mil’fanecha ַַָ ֶ ְְִֵֵָ ְְָ And the Children of Israel shall keep the Shabbat ... שׁ ּירבו ּּזכיוֹ ּּתנו . . thatAdonai our merits Eloheinu increase. v’Elohei avoteinu … V’shamru v’nei Yisrael et hashabbat … ֶ ְִ ְ ֻ ֵָ .la-asot et hashabbat l’dorotam b’rit olam ושׁ ְְָ ּמרו בני ְְִֵֵָ ישֹראל ֶ את־השׁ ַַָּּבת May it be your will  ְִ יי ֱיהי אָ ֵרצוֹ ן ּהינוִ ֵואְֶָמלפניךהי ֲֵ אבוֹ ֵ ּתינו ... ,sheyitamuLord our God andson’einu. God of our fathers …  ּּּ And the Children of Israel shall keep the Shabbat … .to make the Shabbat for their generations as an everlasting covenant ֲַ לעשֹוֹ ת את־השׁ בת לדֹרֹתם ְְִֶַַָָ ברית עוֹ ָלם . Hebrew… sheyistal’kuAdonai word Eloheinu ‘gezerah’, oy’veinu. v’Elohei decree. avoteinu We…... שׁ ּ ִֶַּ the ּיתמו שֹוֹ ְֵּּנאינוThe Hebrew for carrot, ‘gezer’, . resembles .that shetigzor our enemies aleinu be consumed. g’zeirot tovot. la-asot et hashabbat l’dorotam b’rit olam … ּ ּ ּ ּּּ thatLord our our adversaries God and Godbe removed. of our fathers …  …יי ֱא... שׁ... שֵׁ ְִֶּ הינות ֵגַּ ז ֹ ו ואְ ּ ר  יסתלקו הי ֲֵ אוֹ ּעלינוְֵאבוֹ גֵזּּיבינו ר ֹ . ו תינו ת ... ט וֹ ב וֹ .ת .Beinito make uveinthe Shabbat b’nei for Yisraeltheir generations ot hi asl’olam an eve rlasting covenant ֲַ לעשֹוֹ ת את־השׁ בת לדֹרֹתם ְְִֶַַָָ ברית עוֹ ָלם . hope that there will be peace andֵ ְ happiness ֵָ ְ ִ ֶfor the… that Jewish you decree people. on us only good decrees.  ביני ּובין ּּבני ְְִִֵֵֵֵָ ישֹראל אוֹ ת ִ היא לעוֹ ְָלם   ,shenif’reh… sheyistal’ku v’nirbeh oy’veinu. kadagim.  ItBeini shall beuvein an everlasting b’nei Yisraelsign between ot mehi andl’olam the Children of Israel …... שׁ ּ ּ ּיסתלקו אוֹ ּּיבינו . . sheyirbu… that our adversaries z’chuyoteinu. be removed.  … ... שׁ ְִֶ ַ ּ ְ ְִֶֶ נפרה ְְְִֵֶ ונרבה ּּ ִַָּכדגים . . ,kiIt shall sheishet be an everlasting yamim sign asah between Adonai me and the Children of Israel ביני ּובין ּּבני ְְִִֵֵֵֵָ ישֹראל אוֹ ת ִ היא לעוֹ ְָלם .that sheyitamu we be fruitful son’einu. and multiply like fish …ּּ that… our sheyistal’ku merits increase. oy’veinu.  … ...... שׁשׁ ֶ ְִּ ִֶַּ ּ ּירבו יתמוְ ֻ שֹוֹזכיוֹ ְֵֵּּתנו . ּּנאינו . :For dates for in six days the Lord created ִ ּכי ֵ שׁשׁ ֶ ת ִָ ימים ָ ָעשׂה י י that our enemies be consumed.  … ּ ּ that our adversaries be removed.  ki sheishet yamim asah Adonai … ... שׁ ְִֶ ַּ ְ יסתלקו אוֹ ְֵּּיבינו . . ִ ּכי ֵ שׁשׁ ֶ ת ִָ ימים ָ ָעשׂה י י shenih’yeh… sheyirbu l’rosh z’chuyoteinu. v’lo l’zanav.  … ּּּ shetigzor… that our merits aleinu increase. g’zeirot tovot.  etfor hashamayimin six days the Lord v’et created ha-aretz …... שׁ ֶ ְִ ּירבו ְ ֻ זכיוֹ ֵּּתנו . . ֶ ַ את־השׁ ָּ ִַ מים ְֶ ֶָָואת־הארץ .that shenif’reh we be as the v’nirbeh head and not kadagim. as the tail … ... שׁ ְִֶֶ נהיה ְ לרֹאשׁ ְוא ְָָלזנב . that… you sheyirbu decree on z’chuyoteinu.us only good decrees.  theet hashamayimheavens and the earth, v’et ha-aretz … שׁ...... שׁ ֶ ּּ ִת ְגְִֶֶ ז ֹ ו נפרה ר ֵָ ְְִֶ ּעלינוונרבה ְגֵּּז ּ רִַָ ֹ ו ת כדגים . ט וֹ ב וֹ .ת that we word be fruitful ‘tom’, and multiply to like consume. fish.  We can …... שׁ Hebrew ּירבו the ּּזכיוֹ ּּתנו . The Hebrew for date, ‘tamar’, resembles .uvayom hashvi-i shavat vayinafash ֶ ַ את־השׁ ָּ ִַ מים ְֶ ֶָָואת־הארץ that our merits increase.  … ֶ ְִ ְ ֻ ֵ ,shetarbeh…hate shetigzor us z’chuyoteinuand aleinu pray g’zeirot fork’rimon. tovot.them to be ּּּ the heavens and the earth … שׁ... who ּתג ז ֹ ו ר are those ּעלינו גז ר ֹ ו there ת ט וֹ ב וֹ .ת ,reflect on how, unfortunately .and on the seventh day He finished and rested ַּ וביוֹ ם השׁ ְִִַ ביעי ַָ שבת ִַַָוינפשׁ . sheyitamu… that you decree son’einu. on us only good decrees.  … ֶ... ִ שׁ ֶ ְ ְַּ ֶ ֵָ תרבה ְֻ ְּזכיוֹ ֵֵ ּתינו ְִּּ ּכרמוֹ ן . . .that shenih’yeh our merits increase l’rosh like v’lo (the l’zanav. seeds of) a pomegranate. uvayom hashvi-i shavat vayinafash … ... שׁ ּ ִֶַּ ּיתמו שֹוֹ ְֵּּנאינו . . ַּ וביוֹ ם השׁ ְִִַּ ביעי ַָ שבת ִַַָּּוינפשׁ . that… weour shetigzor be enemies as the headbe aleinu consumed. and not g’zeirot as the tail. tovot.  … ... שׁ ְִֶֶּ נהיה ְ לרֹאשׁ ְוא ְָָלזנב . .thwarted . and on the seventh day He finished and rested שׁ... ֶ ִּת ְג ז ֹ ו ר ֵָ ּעלינו ְג ֵז ר ֹ ו ת ט וֹ ב וֹ .ת … that sheyitamu you decree onson’einu. us only good decrees.  ,Eileh mo’adei Adonai mikra’ei kodesh ... שׁ ּ ִֶַּ ּיתמו שֹוֹ ְֵּּנאינו .  … shetarbehshenif’reh… that our enemies z’chuyoteinuv’nirbeh be consumed. kadagim. k’rimon.  On other days, start Kiddush here: ,These are the appointed times of the Lord, sacred assemblies ֵ ֶֽ ּאלה מוֹ ֲֵעדי י י ְִָ ֵ מקראי ֶֽקֹדשׁ , ... שׁ ּ ְִֶֶ נפרה ְְִֶ ונרבה ּּ ִַָּכדגים . :For fish ,that… ourwe sheyitamu bemerits fruitful increase and son’einu. multiply like (the like seeds fish. of) a pomegranate. Eileh mo’adei Adonai mikra’ei kodesh … ... שׁ ֶ ְַּ ֶ תרבה ְֻ ּזכיוֹ ֵ ּתינו ְִּּ ּכרמוֹ ן . . ֵ ֶֽ ּאלה מוֹ ֲֵעדי י י ְִָ ֵ מקראי ֶֽקֹדשׁ , .that our enemies be consumed … ... שׁ ּ ִֶַּ ּיתמו שֹוֹ ְֵּּנאינו . . … shenif’reh v’nirbeh kadagim.  asherThese are tik’r’u the appointed otam timesb’mo’adam. of the Lord, sacred assemblies, ֲ אשׁ ֶ ר ְְִּ ּתקראו ָ אֹתם ְ ּבמוֹ ֲָעדם . ... שׁ ּ ְִֶֶ נפרה ְְִֶ ונרבה ּּ ִַָּכדגים . . When saying this we pray for the growth of the Jewish… shenih’yeh… that wepeople. be fruitful l’rosh and v’lo multiply l’zanav. like fish.  whichasher you tik’r’u shall announce otam b’mo’adam. in their due season. ֲ אשׁ ֶ ר ְְִּ ּתקראו ָ אֹתם ְ ּבמוֹ ֲָעדם . that… we shenif’reh be as the head v’nirbeh and not as kadagim. the tail.  … ... שׁ ְִֶֶּ נהיה ְ לרֹאשׁ ְוא ְָָלזנב . . .Vay’daberwhich you shall Moshe announce et in mo’adeitheir due season. Adonai, el Bnei Yisrael ּ ּּ ְַַ ֵ ּוידבר מֹשׁ ֶ ה ֶ את ֲ ֵמֹעדי י י , ֶ אל ְֵּ בני ְִָ ֵישׂראל . .that we be fruitful and multiply like fish … ... שׁ ְִֶֶ נפרה ְְִֶ ונרבה ִַָּכדגים . . For a fish’s head: … shenih’yeh l’rosh v’lo l’zanav.  ThusVay’daber announced Moshe the et Lord’s mo’adei appointed Adonai, seasons elto theBnei children Yisrael. of Israel. shetarbeh… that we be asz’chuyoteinu the head and not k’rimon. as the tail.  …... שׁ ְִֶֶּ נהיה ְ לרֹאשׁ ְוא ְָָלזנב . . .Thus Moses announced the Lord’s appointed seasons to the children of Israel ְַַ ֵ ּוידבר מֹשׁ ֶ ה ֶ את ֲ ֵמֹעדי י י , ֶ אל ְֵּ בני ְִָ ֵישׂראל . ּ that… our shenih’yeh merits increase l’rosh like (the v’lo seeds l’zanav. of) a pomegranate.  … ... שׁ ֶ ְַּ ֶ תרבה ְֻ זכיוֹ ֵ ּתינו ְִּּ ּכרמוֹ ן . . ... שׁ ְִֶֶּ נהיה ְ לרֹאשׁ ְוא ְָָלזנב . . … that shetarbeh we be as the z’chuyoteinu head and not as thek’rimon. tail.  Yik’u va’chodesh shofar, ְִּ ּתקעו ֶַֽ בחֹדשׁ שׁ וֹ ָפר , .in charge of our own destiny... שׁ to ּbe תרבה ּזכיוֹ we hopeּתינו ּּ ּכרמוֹ ן . ,After generations of persecution , ְִ ֵ ְֻ ֶ ְַ ֶ … that our merits increase like (the seeds of) a pomegranate. SoundYik’u the va’chodesh shofar on the shofar,new moon ְִּ ּתקעו ֶַֽ בחֹדשׁ שׁ וֹ ָפר , .shetarbeh z’chuyoteinu k’rimon … ,For pomegranate: ּ  bakesehSound the shofar l’yom on chageinu.the new moon ֶֶַּּ בכסה ְ ליוֹ ם ֵַּֽֽ ּחגנו . .that our merits increase like (the seeds of) a pomegranate … ... שׁ ֶ ְַּ ֶ תרבה ְֻ זכיוֹ ֵ ּתינו ְִּּ ּכרמוֹ ן . .  onbakeseh our feast l’yom day, when chageinu. the moon is hidden.  .Ki chok l’Yisrael hu, mishpat leilohei Ya’acov ֶֶַּּ בכסה ְ ליוֹ ם ֵַּֽֽ ּחגנו . . Above all, we hope that our behaviour will be meritorious in the coming year. on our feast day, when the moon is hidden. .For it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of ִ ּכי חֹק ְִ ְָ ֵלישׂראל ּהוא, ִ משׁ ְ ָּ פט ֵ ֵ לאהי ֲַיעקֹב . . .Ki chok l’Yisrael hu, mishpat leilohei Ya’acov ִ ּכי חֹק ְִ ְָ ֵלישׂראל ּהוא, ִ משׁ ְ ָּ פט ֵ ֵ לאהי ֲַיעקֹב . ,Note: many people have the custom of leaving the pomegranate till the second night) so that the blessing “she’he’cheyanu” can include the eating of this fruit for the first For it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

,Savri maranan ַ ְִסברי ָָ ָמרנן (.time in this season PleaseSavri pay maranan, attention, my masters, ַ ְִסברי ָָ ָמרנן ,BaruchPlease pay atahattention, Adonai my masters, Eloheinu melech ha-olam ָּ ּ ְברוך ַָּאתה י י ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ֶֶ ְמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם BlessedBaruch are atah You, the Adonai Lord our Eloheinu God, King of melech the universe, ha-olam, ָּ ּ ְברוך ַָּאתה י י ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ֶֶ ְמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם ,boreiBlessed arep’ri You, hagafen. the Lord our God, King of the universe ּב וֹ ֵרא ְִּפרי ֶַָּהגפן. whoborei creates p’ri the hagafen. fruit of the vine. .who creates the fruit of the vine ּב וֹ ֵרא ְִּפרי ֶַָּהגפן.

Rosh HASHANAH 16 17 Rosh Hashanah GUIDE TO TISHREI GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘The wake-up call’ Rosh Hashanah: The Vision Statement of the Jewish People There is a story about a plane flying over the Atlantic. All is well until the pilot announces over the tannoy, “I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is that we are making good progress. The bad news is that we don’t know where we’re heading!” How many of us spend so much of our lives making excellent progress, but without a clear view of where we are heading. We are often so distracted by our every day endeavours that we forget to think about why we are even doing them at all. We see the same risk of distraction in Ambassadors to other Nations. The Ambassador is generally moved on within a small number of years to another posting. There is a fear that an Ambassador left too long in a foreign country could “go native” and his (or her) loyalties could thereby become compromised. We are Ambassadors of God in the World1. We are a heavenly people, with our minds capable of reaching to the skies and connecting to God. But our very existence in this physical world can sometimes distract us and cause us to “go native”. So we have Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is the wake-up call. Rosh Hashanah is the reminder of our purpose. The Jewish Rosh Hashanah is God’s re-posting of us as Ambassadors in His World. Rosh Hashanah is there to remind us where we are heading. People as And where are we heading? Our purpose is to help fix the world. Let us look deeper into the meaning of Rosh Hashanah – the shofar and our prayers:

God’s The Shofar – Ambassadors a symbol of a Broken World The greatest symbol of Rosh Hashanah is the sound of the shofar. A full blast (Tekiah), a broken note (Shevarim and/or Teruah) and a final blast (Tekiah). What do the notes of the Shofar represent? The Talmud2 explains that the broken note in the middle represents the sound of sadness. A broken note to mark our misery about the broken world we live in.

1 Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, Pebbles of Wisdom 2 Rosh Hashanah

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This is a world with: Over-sensationalising: Pick up any newspaper and the headline is shouting some sort of panic at us. Cholesterol kills, Teacher hits student, Banks in disarray – one data point A broken economy – where too many people are jobless, homeless and hungry. is extrapolated to create a National pandemic. With this level of bombardment, even the Broken security – where too many people live under constant threat of terrorism or most discerning person can be led to the wrong conclusions. missile attacks. The second message of Rosh Hashanah is to learn accurately from the lessons of the Broken relationships – where this year marks the lowest ever number of weddings in past. We should avoid ambivalence and over-sensationalising. Rather we should look British history (half that of 40 years ago) and the highest number of divorces (twice the back into history and understand the causes of the world’s current problems. Here we rate of 40 years ago). will find solutions. We can also remember that the Jewish people have constantly been the faithful bearers of morality, truth and peace. So we ask – misery and sadness exist, but what can we do about them? Rosh Hashanah: The Reminder C) Shofarot – Not being silent when confronted by the problems of the world The Rosh Hashanah prayers remind us of three solutions: The third message of Rosh Hashanah is not to be silent. There is pain in the world and Malchuyot: Kingship – someone has to address it. Taking on responsibility has been the Jewish catchphrase since Moses was commanded to free a nation of slaves over 3,500 years ago. Moses Re-establishing God’s Kingdom on Earth passed the baton on to who took us into Israel. Joshua to the Sages who discussed issues of personal and global significance – the problems and the solutions Zichronot: Remembrance – – writing these down in the and Gemara. Learning from the lessons of the past Shofarot: Blowing the Shofar – Can We Beat the Misery and Bring Solutions to the Not being silent when confronted by the problems of the world World’s Problems? The Rabbis1 explain that the shofar’s Tekiahs (pure notes before and after the broken A) Malchuyot – Re-establishing God’s Kingdom on Earth note) must be longer than the Teruahs/Shevarim (broken notes). We have faith that good Kingship is about US and what WE are prepared to do to bring Godliness into the world. is greater than evil – that good will ultimately win out. The first thing we can do to fix this broken world is to play our part as Ambassadors May we remember that it is OUR role to help to end suffering in the world. Through re- in establishing God’s Kingdom on Earth. As Jews we have a set of values that have establishing God’s Kingdom on Earth, remembering the past honestly and publicising been passed down to us through the previous generations, ultimately from Mount Sinai the world’s pains and it’s solutions. And may we remember that with all the suffering itself. These values teach us to create organisations that care for the poor, the elderly in the world – we have a promise – that the Tekiahs will be greater than the Teruahs – and the infirm. These values teach us to distinguish between right and wrong and to Peace is greater than War and may our last note, the Tekiah Gadolah, mark the bringing create justice systems that rebuke those who harm others. These values teach us how of eternal Peace – that of the – May he come speedily in our days. Shana Tova. to respect parents, children and spouses and thereby build stronger family structures.

B) Zichronot – Learning from the lessons of the past It is the nature of human beings to either be ambivalent or to over-sensationalise. There is so much ambivalence in our society. This is demonstrated by low election turnouts, a blurring of electoral parties’ manifestos into the “centre”, and a constant shortage of volunteers for the social good (such as blood donors).

1 Tosefot

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Tashlich Explained...

The word “Tashlich” means “You will cast away.” In this context, it refers to a custom dating from at least as early as the fourteenth century, but probably much earlier, based on the last verses of the Book of Michah (Micah) 7:18-20, shown below: “Who is a God like You? You forgive sins and overlook transgressions For the survivors of Your People; He does not retain His anger forever, for He loves kindness; ‘You will He will return and show us mercy, and overcome our sins, And You will cast into the depths of the sea all their sins; cast away’ You will show kindness to Yaakov and mercy to Avraham, As You did promise to our fathers of old.” Consequently, Jewish communities have for many generations gathered on the First Day of Rosh Hashanah at bodies of water and recited the Tashlich Prayer, which consists of certain chapters of Tehillim () and the verses shown above, to symbolise our wish to get rid of our sins, and to be forgiven by God. If the first day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat, Tashlich is said on Sunday, the second day. If it cannot be recited at all on Rosh Hashanah, due to inclement weather or “whatever,” it can be recited until Hoshanah Rabbah. Tashlich is preferably recited alongside a body of water containing fish, to remind us that just as fish are protected by the water in which they live, we pray to be protected by God. Also, just as fish swim freely and can suddenly be caught in a net, so too we can just as helplessly fall into the net of sin. And even as the eyes of fish are always open, so do we pray that Tashlich God too will keep vigilant watch over his people.

23 Rosh Hashanah GUIDE TO TISHREI

The book of life is opened on ON The Rosh Hashanah and closed on Yom Kippur. The days in between Ten Days are a time to contemplate our lives. of Teshuva Special days during the Ten Days of Teshuva:

(REPENTANCE) Tzom Gedaliah (Fast of Gedaliah) is an annual fast day instituted by the Jewish Sages to commemorate the assassination of Gedaliah Ben Achikam, the Governor of Israel during the days of Nebuchadnetzar King of Babylonia. As a result of Gedaliah’s death the final vestiges of Judean autonomy after the Babylonian conquest were de- stroyed, many thousands of Jews were slain, and the remaining Jews were driven into final exile. The fast is observed on the day immediately following Rosh Hashanah on the third of Tishrei. When Rosh Hashanah falls on Thursday and Friday, the fast is post- poned till Sunday, since no public fast is observed on Shabbat with the exception of Yom Kippur. The fast is observed from daybreak till the stars appear at night.

Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur focuses ‘A time to on bringing together the Jewish People to do Teshuva (repent and return to Him). On this Shabbat, religious leaders deliver sermons focused on examining our actions and committing to improvement. To reinforce this message we read in shul a haftorah from contemplate’ the prophet, Hoshea which says, “Return, O Israel, for you have stumbled in your sin.” After reading the fourteenth and last Chapter of Hoshea, many communities continue with a portion from the Prophecy of Yoel.

25 Ten Days of Teshuva GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘Self-improvement’

Ten Days of Teshuva a time for self-improvement.

The Ten Days of Teshuva between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are an excellent time to focus on self-improvement. Teshuva is first and foremost about fulfilling our potential. Having the desire to improve – that’s what Teshuva is all about. But it’s not that simple. There are a number of obstacles to self-change. There are four main reasons that we refuse to change: 1. We don’t believe that we can change – the BELIEF? 2. We can’t identify our unique role in life – the WHAT? 3. We don’t know how to change – the HOW? 4. We don’t see any urgency to change – the WHEN? Our Rabbis1 give us ways to tackle each of these barriers. (Re)generating the BELIEF that we can change. Days of Our bad inclination tells us we cannot change. We are who we are. We are too old to change. We’ve been doing it this way for so long it’s now ingrained in our character. Teshuva To overcome our negativity we need to give ourselves the benefit of the doubt2. When we begin to believe that we cannot change for the better, that our faults are too deeply ingrained, we should spend some time thinking about our strengths. We should think of one good deed that we have done this year. From here, we can extend our thoughts to other similar deeds that we did. And from a short list we can start making conclusions. “If I helped X out when she was in need and I helped Y out when he asked me… then I must be a pretty caring person… etc.” With a positive perspective on what we have achieved this year, we can build upon our strengths and resolve to do more similar deeds in the year ahead. In this way we can use optimism to overcome pessimism. Not by thinking of our faults, but by focusing on our strengths. This way we can channel the positive energy that we need in order to change for the better.

1 Gemara Brachot 5a 2 Rabbi Nachman of Breslav, Likutei Mahoran I 282

27 Ten Days of Teshuva GUIDE TO TISHREI GUIDE TO TISHREI

5. Financial situation – Am I solvent? Am I keeping expenses to a level that I can (Re)assessing our purpose – the WHAT? afford? How can I save money? Do I give enough charity? The Jewish calendar encompasses the whole of life experience. 6. Health – Am I enthusiastic about life? Am I challenged? Am I keeping control over Some modern sociologists categorise our lives into seven key areas3. my health? Have I been for a recent check-up? The Jewish calendar relates closely to these categories: 7. Work – Am I happy with my weekday activities? Could I take on more? Do I need to drop one activity? Should I consider further study? Family relationships Shabbat – time to focus on family Going about change – the HOW? Community and friends On Rosh Hashanah we accepted God as King – accepting Divine Authority. What does this mean? – with social mitzvot (shelach manot and seudah) When we do not accept Divine Authority, we see ourselves as the ultimate authority –

Personal freedom this is selfishness. Accepting Divine Authority, on the other hand, means seeing God Pesach – the time of our freedom as the centre of our existence. When we acknowledge that we, and all of humanity, are Personal values equally distant from God we cease to make our selfish needs the centre of our existence and allow the community and wider society to take more of a front seat6. – the giving of the Torah Part of the process of fulfilling our potential is to regularly ask ourselves, our family and Financial situation friends: “What more could I be doing for the greater good, given my unique skills and Succot – the time that we are judged on prosperity4 talents? ”This question drives us to consider our life experiences as a whole in order to figure out what unique combination of skills we have to offer. And this assessment could

Health be the driver for a new project whether at home, in the community or in wider society. Chanukah – commemorating our zeal and strength against our foes5 Generating the urgency for change – the WHEN? Work Weekdays (occupation – homemakers, professionals, etc) There is a well-known question – “When you are on your deathbed, what will you regret that you did not do?” But how often, in reality, do we ask ourselves that question when The 10 days of Teshuva are the perfect opportunity to sit down with a spouse or a close we are assessing our priorities in life? friend and to talk through the 7 categories of our lives and to discuss how we feel we are performing in each category against our own aspirations. From the eternal perspective there are some things that are urgent but not important (such as work phone calls, emails and meetings) and some things that are important Here are some sample questions for discussion in each category to ask oneself: but not urgent (such as spending time with a spouse, or helping children with their 7 1. Family relationships – Am I spending enough time with my spouse, children and homework) . parents? Is it quality time? Can I do more to show them my love? Sometimes the only thing that can create urgency for us is (God forbid) a bereavement 2. Community and friends – Am I allocating friends enough of my time? Can I or a serious illness – a reminder of our own mortality can shock us into reassessing our participate more in the community? Could I do more voluntary work? priorities. 3. Personal freedom – Does my work afford me enough time to do the things that are In reality we should not need to wait until we are shocked into considering our limited important to me? Do I need to get away? Do I have time to think? Am I a slave to bad habits? life span. At any stage in life we can use the thought of our limited life span to propel us into action. 4. Personal values – Am I progressing religiously? Am I doing as much as I did last year? Could I do more? Could I learn more? How could I best contribute? May we take advantage of the these ten days to believe we can change for the better, to decide how and action it now.

3 Richard Layard “Happiness” – source US General Survey Statistics 4 Babylonian Talmud Rosh Hashanah 16a “On Succot the world is judged on water” (Water is the Divine mechanism for affecting human prosperity) 6 Avraham Kook, , Commentary on the Kedusha 5 Rambam Hilchot Chanukah 1:1 7 Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks, “To Heal a Fractured World”

Ten Days of TeshuvA 28 29 Ten Days of Teshuva GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘It’s the holiest day of the entire year. We are all gathered in shul, asking Yom Kippur for forgiveness and hoping to change.’ Q and A

1. What historical event does Yom Is it really possible Kippur commemorate? Moses came down from Mount Sinai on the tenth of Tishrei with the second set of Tablets, to change?’ signifying forgiveness for the sin of the golden calf. Yom Kippur commemorates this event, the first national day of forgiveness for the Jewish People. 2. For what kinds of sins does Yom Kippur not atone?

Sins committed against other people, including hurting someone’s feelings. Yom Kippur does not atone for these sins until the perpetrator gains forgiveness from the victim himself. ON 3. What should someone do if the person wronged does not forgive Yom Kippur you the first time?

Try at least two more times to gain forgiveness. 4. Why do we read the book of Jonah on Yom Kippur?

The repentance of the people of Ninveh serves as an inspiration to us to repent, and shows us that repentance can overturn a Divine decree.

31 yo YOM kippur GUIDE TO TISHREI

To do’s 1. Remember to bring a Yom Kippur machzor (prayer book) to synagogue for the Kol Nidre service and other reading material to help understand the service. 2. Remember to wear non-leather shoes to shul. 3. Some people wear a on Yom Kippur (these are white robes symbolising purity). 4. Remember that the correct greeting is “Gmar Chatimah Tovah” – “may you be sealed (in the book of life) for good.” 5. If you light a Yahrzeit candle during the year, have one ready for lighting before Yom Kippur. OF There are five restrictions going Yom Kippur into Yom Kippur over and above the usual Shabbat restrictions:

1. No eating and drinking. Make sure your last meal before the fast is a good one – in fact this festive meal is a . Many people find a high carbohydrate meal is most lasting going into the fast. Don’t forget to drink water steadily throughout the day before Yom Kippur. 2. No washing. The rule of not washing on Yom Kippur extends to no showers or baths. Even when washing our hands in the morning (ritually three times on each hand) we do so only up until the knuckles. However, one is allowed to wash hands for hygiene reasons (if they are dirty or after going to the bathroom). 3. No anointing. Historically this would have meant not smearing oil on ourselves. Today we are careful not to use scents or perfumes on Yom Kippur (for pleasure). 4. No marital relations. 5. No leather shoes. As a sign of spirituality we don’t wear leather shoes. Shoes connect us with the ground and today we are closer to heaven! Historically leather shoes were a sign of comfort and the only type of shoe available. Even though today other footwear is worn throughout the year the prohibition remains to leather only.

33 yo YOM kippur GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘Making a difference to others’

Yom Kippur: the holiest man (the High Priest) enters the holiest place (the Holy of Holies in the Temple) on the holiest day. As it says in the machzor, Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh – Holy, Holy, Holy! But what does it mean to be Kadosh? And what relevance does this act of the High KIPPUR Priest in the Temple have for us?

35 yo YOM kippur GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘Benefit of Kadosh We often translate the word Kadosh as holy. Considering the needs of our community over our own – helping to make up a , But what does holy mean? Sanctified! But set up a kiddush, organise a communal social or learning event – that is Kadosh. all of what does sanctified mean? Separate! But Spending a little more quality time with our family – rather than building up our name in separate from what? our workplace – that is also Kadosh. Rav Kook, the Chief Rabbi of Palestine in humanity.’ There is a story2 about two close childhood friends, David and Avi, who make a pact the 1920s, explains1 that there are two ways that if the other were to ever get into trouble, they would risk their lives to save them. to live one’s life – selfishly or with others in mind. Most of us, most of the time, live for Years pass and David becomes a wealthy businessman, moving overseas. Avi, on the ourselves. We do what we want to do, when other hand, becomes severely impoverished and is on the bread line. One day, after we want to do it. his family has not eaten for two meals, Avi’s wife reminds him about the pact that he had with David – “Go to David and ask for help – otherwise we will all die of starvation!” But occasionally we consider others in our plans. Avi sets off and after a few days travel, he reaches the country where David now lives. Arriving late at night, he takes a room just outside the city. Says Rav Kook, when we consider others – that’s Kadosh. The more we consider That night, the King’s crown is stolen. Soldiers are sent around the city to search for others, the more Kadosh it is. the robber. When they find Avi, a stranger, they suspect him immediately and he is sentenced to death by hanging in the city square the next morning. Back to the High Priest. He enters the Holy of Holies on the Holiest day, Yom Kippur, in All the people of the city turn up for the public hanging. David, a good friend of the King order to ask atonement for the people. In is standing next to the Royal throne. But when David sees that it is Avi who is about to entering this space he puts his life on the be hanged, he remembers his pact to save his friend’s life and shouts out “I stole the line: crown!” - If he were to enter on any other day, he The King is astonished by David’s words and calls an immediate halt to the hanging. would be executed. Avi is summoned to the king. But when Avi sees that David is prepared to risk his life for him, Avi protests “No! I really stole the crown!” - Anyone else entering this space is put to death. The King is bemused and demands an explanation. When they tell him about the pact, he understands that, in fact, neither of them stole the crown. And the King says “You - Offering these sacrifices in any other place are both wonderful men and I make only one request – that you allow me to join in your KIPPUR would render the officiant liable for death. friendship”. And yet, for the benefit of the whole Jewish So ends the story. What is the message? people, indeed the whole world, he is prepared to risk his life. That is Kadosh – The King is God. the ultimate self sacrifice for the benefit of all of humanity. The message is that nothing pleases God more than seeing us, his subjects, being prepared to help each other out at times of need. What does the act of the High We have spent a year without a strong enough focus on working for the good of others. Priest mean to us? We have spent a year being too selfish, too often. On Yom Kippur we can make a difference to our lives. On Yom Kippur we can resolve We are not required to put our lives on to change. We can be inspired by those in our community, or even outside, who do so the line to quite the same extent. But the much for charity, for neighbours, and for society. We can resolve to learn from the model example that the High Priest sets for us of the the High Priest, and live a life of greater Kedusha. Gmar Chatimah Tovah may you should inspire us to live our lives with just a be sealed in the book of life for good. little more Kedusha (holiness). Giving some of our time to a voluntary organisation – that is Kadosh.

1 Commentary on the Siddur 2 Shlomo Carlebach Stories

37 yo YOM kippur GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘Joyous Festivals’

It is time for one of the most beautiful and joyous festivals in the Jewish calendar – Succot is a holiday rich in tradition and meaning. From the holding of the Arba Minim to the sitting in the Succah, the holiday is filled with symbolism to express our on relationship with God. succot “In Succot you shall dwell seven days, every citizen in Israel they shall dwell in Succot, in order that your generations shall know, that in Succot did I cause the children of Israel to dwell, when I brought them forth from the land of Egypt.” (Leviticus Chapter 23) Succot commemorates how the protective “Clouds of Glory” surrounded the Jewish people after leaving Egypt during their forty years of wandering in the desert. It also commemorates how the Jews lived in temporary dwellings during that same time. So too we leave the safety and security of our houses and put ourselves under the direct protection of God.

39 SUCCOT GUIDE TO TISHREI GUIDE TO TISHREI The Four Species The Succah

It is a mitzvah to wave the Arba Minim (Four Species) on each of the first seven days of The Succah is a structure with at least three walls and a roof made of a detached plant Succot. The Arba Minim consists of four parts – a (), leafy twigs of material (usually cane or palm branches). There must be nothing above the roof except Aravot (willow) and Hadassim (myrtle) and an (citron). The Lulav represents the the sky. We have a mitzvah (commandment) to dwell in it. We are careful during Succot spine, the Aravot the mouth, Hadassim the eyes and Etrog the heart. We shake them to eat our meals and any ‘mezonot’ (cake, crackers or biscuits) in the Succah. together to show our total dedication to God. Often the pieces of the Lulav come separately and need to be put together before they Each time we start a new meal in the succah we say this blessing: can be used. The Lulav should be first tied together with the Hadassim and Aravot.  Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, ּ ְ ְ One Lulav is placed in the centre, two branches are placed to the left, and three ,Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe ָ ּברוך ַָּאתה יי ֱא ֵ ּהינו ֶֶמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם .Hadissim are placed to the right asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, ,who has made us holy through His commandments ֲ אשׁ ֶ ר ִ ְ ּקדשׁ ָֽ ּנו ְ ִּ ְ במצוֹ ָתיו, The Lulav is taken in the right hand with three Hadassim on the right, two Aravot on the left. The Etrog is taken in the left hand, with its pointed end (pittum) toward the floor. v’tzivanu leisheiv basuccah. .and has commanded us to dwell in the Succah ְ ִ ָּּֽוצונו ֵ לישׁ ֵ ב ַָֻּּּבסכה. (.Reverse these if you are left handed)   Recite the following blessing:  ,Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam ְ ְ ,Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe ָּ ּברוך ַָּאתה יי ֱא ֵ ּהינו ֶֶמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav,  ,who has made us holy through His commandments ֲ אשׁ ֶ ר ִ ְ ּקדשׁ ָֽ ּנו ְ ִּ ְ במצוֹ ָתיו, Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, .v’tzivanu al netilat lulav ְ ְ ,Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe ָּ ּברוך ַָּאתה יי ֱא ֵ ּהינו ֶֶמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם .and has commanded us about taking the lulav ְ ִ ָֽ ּּ וצונו ַ על ְ ִ ַ נטילת ָּלולב. asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav,  ,who has made us holy through His commandments ֲ אשׁ ֶ ר ִ ְ ּקדשׁ ָֽ ּנו ְ ִּ ְ במצוֹ ָתיו, Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, .v’tzivanu al netilat lulav ּ ּ ְ ּ ְ ,Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe ָ ברוך ַָּאתה :addיי ֱא ֵהינו of ֶֶ shakingמלך ָ dayהעוֹ ָ לם , On the first .and has commanded us about taking the lulav ְ ִ ָֽ ּּ וצונו ַ על ְ ִ ַ נטילת ָּלולב. she’he’cheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higiy’anu lazman hazeh.  ‘The Etrog .who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this time שׁ ֱֶֶָ ּ החינו ְְִָּ ּ וקימנו ְִִ ָּ והגיענו ּּ ְַַ לזמן ֶַּהזה . . Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam,  ָ ּ ּ ְברוך ַָּאתה יי ֱא ֵ ּהינו ֶֶ ְמלך ָ העוֹ ָלם , , Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe, she’he’cheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higiy’anu lazman hazeh. is taken’ .who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this time שׁ ֱֶֶָ ּ החינו ְְִָּ ּ וקימנו ְִִ ָּ והגיענו ּּ ְַַ לזמן ֶַּהזה . .   After the blessing, turn the Etrog around so that the pittum faces up. Now shake the Lulav together with the Haddasim and Aravot (myrtle and willow) while facing East. The WW is shaken three times in all six directions: forwards, to the right, behind, to the left, upwards and downwards.

SUCCOT 40 41 SUCCOT GUIDE TO TISHREI Many people have the custom to talk about the special guest (Ushpizin) on each evening. Here are some inspiring thoughts related to these guests to consider while you are in the Succah:

Abraham is the special guest on the first night. He sits in the doorway of his tent, on the third day after his , in the heat of the day, looking for strangers to Ushpizin invite for lunch. This is symbolic of the whole Jewish people – craving the comfort of Paradise (inside the tent) but being prepared to sacrifice some spiritual bliss in this life, in order to help make the World (outside the tent) just that little bit better. We do this by being deeply concerned for the welfare of others. is the special guest on the second night. He re-dug and re-named wells that his father, , dug before him. What does this teach us? Our Sages liken the wells (of water) to the teachings of Abraham. Isaac re-invigorated the teachings of his father and made them relevant to his own generation, thereby maintaining the essential link between Abraham (his father) and Jacob (his son). We, in our generation, must learn to provide that vital link between the teachings of the older generations and our children. Jacob is the special guest on the third night. The overriding image of Jacob is of him wrestling with the angel. Each of us must also wrestle with our own angels – asking testing questions, probing our understanding of the Torah – in order to come out stronger willed and more determined to live a meaningful Jewish life. ‘There is an idea that every is the special guest on the fourth night. He begins his life seeing himself very much at the centre of the Universe (eleven stars, the sun and the moon all bow down to his star). He ends it by crediting all his successes and superior day of Succot is symbolised by understanding to God. We, too, can learn to attribute our successes to the Almighty – and hope that we do not need to undergo the trials of Joseph in order special guests – the biblical to learn that lesson. Moses is the special guest on the fifth night. He is the leader who brought us out heroes of Jewish History and of slavery and transmitted the Torah to us at Mount Sinai. He understood that one who has no free time can never learn, and that one who does not learn can never be free. May we, too, learn to be truly free. that they “visit” us in our succah is the special guest on the sixth night. He was the peace maker during our 40 year journey through the Desert. He would take one party in a dispute aside on each night of the festival. and tell them that the other party wished to make peace. And then do the same to the other party. Peace making is so central to our tradition that the only remaining service of the descendants of Aaron (the Cohanim) is the Blessing for Peace. These guests are known as the David is the special guest on the seventh night. He is a descendant of Judah and of Ruth and is the forebearer of the Messiah. Judah, though he sinned with Tamar, Ushpizin.’ made complete amends. Ruth was the righteous convert who demonstrated an exceptional love for her mother-in-law. David can inspire us - that through repairing our own faults and behaving lovingly to others – we, too, can play our part in bringing the Messianic era to fruition.

43 SUCCOT GUIDE TO TISHREI GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘Our time of rejoicing’ Evening Kiddush for Succot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

On Shabbat add: Vay-hi erev vay-hi voker Yom Hashishi. .It was evening and it was morning the sixth day ְִַויהי ֶערב ְִַויהי ֶבֹקר י וֹ ם ה שׁ שׁ ִִַּּי . . Vay’chulu hashamayim v’ha-aretz v’chol tz’va-am. .The heavens and earth were finished and all their hosts ְַֻ ּ ּויכלו ַ השׁ ָּ ִַמים ְָ ֶָ והארץ ְָוכל ְָָצבאם . . Vay’chal Elohim bayom hash’vi-i On the seventh day, God finished ְַַויכל ֱאהים ִַּביוֹ ם השׁ ְִַּ ִביעי m’lachto asher asah, vayishbot bayom hash’vi-i ּ ּ the work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day ְַ ְ ּמלאכתוֹ אשׁ ֲֶ ר ָָעשׂה, ִַ וישׁ ְ ּבֹת ַּביוֹ ם השׁ ְִַּ ִביעי mikol m’lachto asher asah. .from all the work that He had done ִָּמכל ְַ ְ ּמלאכתוֹ ֲ אשׁ ֶר ע ָָשׂ ה . . ,Vay’varech Elohim et yom hash’vi-i vay-kadeish oto ְ ,God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it ְֶַָויברך ֱא ִהים ֶאת י וֹ ם השׁ ְִַּ ִביעי ְַַ ֵ ּויקדשׁ אֹתוֹ , , ki vo shavat mikol m’lachto for on that day, God rested from all the work ִּכי ב ֹ ו שׁ ַָב ת ִָּמכל מ ְַ ל א ְכ ּת וֹ asher bara Elohim la-asot. .that He had created א שׁ ֲֶר ָָּברא ֱא ִ הים ֲַלעשֹוֹ ת . .

On other evenings, start Kiddush here:

,Savri maranan ַ ְִסברי ָָ ָמרנן for Please pay attention, my masters, ,Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam ְ ְ ,Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe ָּ ּברוך ַָּאתה י י ֱ א ֵ ּהינו ֶֶמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם

.borei p’ri hagafen ּב וֹ ֵר א ְִּפרי ֶַָּהגפן. Succot Shemini Atzeret who creates the fruit of the vine. and Evening Kiddush continues on the next page (46) Simchat Torah

SUCCOT 44 45 SUCCOT GUIDE TO TISHREI GUIDE TO TISHREI

Evening Kiddush for Succot, Daytime Kiddush for Succot, Shemini Atzeret and Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Cont’d... Simchat Torah  On Shabbat, add the words in parentheses. On Shabbat add  V’shamru v’nei Yisrael et hashabbat ושׁ ְְָ ּמרו בני ְְִֵֵָ ישֹראל ֶ את־השׁ ַַָּּבת ,Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam ָ ּ ּ ְברוך ַָּאתה י י ֱֵ ּאהינו ֶֶ ְמלך ָ העוֹ ָלם , , Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe, And the Children of Israel shall keep the Shabbat, 

.V’shamrula-asot et hashabbat v’nei Yisrael l’dorotam et hashabbat b’rit olam ֲַ לעשֹוֹ ת ֶ ַ את־השׁ ַּ ָ בת ְ ָ לדֹרֹתם ְִּּברית ע וֹ ָל ם . asher bachar banu mikol am ֲ אשׁ ֶ ר ַָ בחר ָ ּבנו ִָ ּּּמכל ָעם .Andto make the Childrenthe Shabbat of Israel for their shall generations keep the Shabbat, as an eve rlasting covenant ושׁ ְְָ ּמרו בני ְְִֵֵָ ישֹראל ֶ את־השׁ ַַָּּבת ,who has chosen us from among all peoples .la-asotBeini uvein et hashabbat b’nei Yisrael l’dorotam ot hi l’olam b’rit olam ביני ּובין ּּבני ְְִִֵֵֵֵָ ישֹראל אוֹ ת ִ היא לעוֹ ְָלם ,v’rom’manu mikol lashon v’kid’shanu b’mitzvotav ְ ורוֹ ְָ ממנו ִָ מכל ָ לשׁ וֹ ן ּוקדשׁ ְְִָ ּּנו ּּבמצוֹ ְְִָתיו , , ,toIt shallmake be the an Shabbat everlasting for theirsign betweengenerations me andas an the eve Childrenrlasting covenant.of Israel ֲַ לעשֹוֹ ת ֶ ַ את־השׁ ַּ ָ בת ְ ָ לדֹרֹתם ְִּּברית ע וֹ ָל ם . ,raised us above all tongues and made us holy through His commandments

vatiten lanu Adonai Eloheinu b’ahavah Beiniki sheishet uvein yamim b’nei Yisrael asah Adonai ot hi l’olam ִ ּכי ֵ שׁשׁ ֶ ת ִָ ימים ָ ָעשׂה י י You have given us, Lord our God, in love ִַ ֶּּ ותתן ָ ּלנו י י ֱֵ ּאהינו ְּבֲַָאהבה ,Itfor shall in six be days an everlasting the Lord created sign between me and the Children of Israel ביני ּובין ּּבני ְְִִֵֵֵֵָ ישֹראל אוֹ ת ִ היא לעוֹ ְָלם

(Shabbatot lim’nichah u’) mo’adim l’simchah, kiet hashamayimsheishet yamim v’et asah ha-aretz Adonai ֶ ַ את־השׁ ָּ ִַ מים ְֶ ֶָָואת־הארץ Sabbaths for rest) and festivals for rejoicing) (שׁ ַָ ּבתוֹ ת ְִ ָלמנוחה ּּו) מוֹ ֲִ עדים ְִ ְ ָלשׂמחה , , forthe inheavens six days and the the Lord earth, created ִ ּכי ֵ שׁשׁ ֶ ת ִָ ימים ָ ָעשׂה י י י י chagim uz’manim l’sasson, et Yom .etuvayom hashamayim hashvi-i v’et shavat ha-aretz vayinafash ּ ּ ַּ וביוֹ ם השׁ ְִִַּ ביעי ַָ שבת ִַַָּּוינפשׁ . ,holy days and seasons for joy ִַחגים ְִַּ וזמנים ְָלשׂשׂוֹ ן, ֶאת יוֹ ם .theand heavens on the seventh and the day earth, He finished and rested ֶ ַ את־השׁ ָּ ִַ מים ְֶ ֶָָואת־הארץ (HaShabbat hazeh v’et Yom) .uvayom hashvi-i shavat vayinafash (ַ השׁ ַָּ ּבת ֶַ ּהזה ְֶואת יוֹ ם ) ) ּּ (this Sabbath day and) .startּ and onKiddush the seventh day here: He finished and restedַ וביוֹ ם ,daysהשׁ ּ ְִִַ ביעי On ַָ otherשבת ִַַָוינפשׁ . . ,Eileh mo’adei Adonai mikra’ei kodesh ֵ ֶֽ ּאלה מוֹ ֲֵעדי י י ְִָ ֵ מקראי ֶֽקֹדשׁ , On Succot add: These are the appointed times of the Lord, sacred assemblies, Eilehasher mo’adeitik’r’u otam Adonai b’mo’adam. mikra’ei kodesh, ֵ ֲ ֽאשׁ ֶ ֶּ אלהר ּמוֹ ְְִ ֲֵעדי ּתקראו י י ָ ְִָ אֹתם ֵ ְ ּמקראי במוֹ ֲֶֽע ָקֹדשׁ , דם . Chag HaSuccot hazeh, Z’man Simchateinu ,Thesewhich areyou the shall appointed announce times in their of the due Lord, season. sacred assemblies ַ חג ַֻ ּּהסכוֹ ת ֶַּהזה, ְַ זמן ִ ְ ָ ֵ ֽ ּשׂמחתנו the festival of Succot, our time of rejoicing Vay’daber Moshe et mo’adei Adonai, el Bnei Yisrael. .asher tik’r’u otam b’mo’adam ֲ ְַַ אשֶׁ ֵ ּר וידבר ּמֹשׁ ֶ ְְִ ה ּתקראוֶ אתָ אֹתםֲ ְ ֵּמֹעדי במוֹ י ֲי , ע ָ ֶ דםאל . ּ ְֵ בני ְִָ ֵישׂראל . . On Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah add: whichThus Moses you shall announced announce the in Lord’s their dueappointed season. seasons to the children of Israel.

.Vay’daber Moshe et mo’adei Adonai, el Bnei Yisrael ּוידבר מֹשׁ ה את מֹעדי י י , אל ּבני ישׂראל . . .Hash’mini Chag Ha’Atzeret hazeh, Z’man Simchateinu ֵ ְִָ ְֵ ֶ ֵ ֲ ֶ ֶ ֵ ְַַ SavriThus Moses maranan, announced the Lord’s appointed seasons to the children of Israel ַ ְִסברי ָָ ָמרנן the festival of the eighth day, Shemini Atzeret, our time of rejoicing השׁ ּמיני ְִִַַ חג ֲֶֶָֽ העצרת ֶַּהזה, ְַ זמן ִ ְ ָ ֵ ֽ ּשׂמחתנו Please pay attention, my masters, Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, ,Savri maranan ָּ ּ ְברוך ַָּאתה י י ֱֵ ּאהינו ֶֶ ְמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם :On all days continue here ,PleaseBlessed pay are attention, You, the Lord my masters, our God, King of the universe ַ ְִסברי ָָ ָמרנן

,Baruchborei p’ri atah hagafen. Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam ּב וֹ ֵר ְא ְִּפרי ֶַָּהגפן. ְ ,b’ahavah) mik’ra kodesh tzcher liytziat Mitzrayim) ,Blessedwho creates are You, the fruit the Lordof the our vine. God, King of the universe ָּ ּברוך ַָּאתה י י ֱֵ ּאהינו ֶֶמלך ה ע וֹ ָָל ם ,in love), a holy assembly in memory of the exodus from Egypt) ( ְֲַָּבאהבה) ְִָ מקרא ֶ קֹדשׁ ֵֶ זכר ִִַ ליציאת ְִִָמצרים , ,  .ki vanu vacharta v’otanu kidashta mikol ha-amim, borei p’ri hagafen ּ ּּּּּּ ּ .who creates the fruit of the vine ּב וֹ ֵר א ְִּפרי ֶַָּהגפן. ,for You have chosen us and sanctified us above all peoples כי ִָ בנו בחרתְְַָָ ואוֹ ָ תנו קדשׁ ת ְִִַָָ מכל ִַָהעמים , , v’Shabbat) u’mo’adei kodshecha (b’ahavah uv’ratzon) ) ָ (Sabbath) and Your holy festivals (in love and favour) ( ו שׁ ְַָּב ת) ּומוֹ ֲֵ עדי ְָ קדשׁ ֶֽך (ְ ַּ ֲ ָ באהבה ְָּוברצוֹ ן) u’d’varcha emet v’kayam la’ad. .for joy and glassness, You have given us as our heritage ּבשׂ ְְִָמחה ְ ָ ובשׂשׂוֹ ן ְְִַָּּּֽהנחלתנו. ,Baruch atah Adonai ְ ,Blessed are You, Lord ָ ּ ּברוך ַָּאתה ,י י ,י י m’kadeish (haShabbat v’) Yisrael v’haz’manim. .who sanctifie (the Sabbath), Israel and the festivals ְֵַ ּמקדשׁ (השׁ ַַָּ ּבת ְו) ישׂ ְִָ ֵראל ְְִַַּּוהזמנים.

,Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam ְ ְ ,Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe ָ ּ ּברוך ַָּאתה י י ֱֵ ּאהינו ֶֶ מלך ָ העוֹ ָלם , , she’he’cheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higiy’anu lazman hazeh. .who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this time שׁ ֶ ֶ ֱָ ּהחינו ְִוק ְָּ ּ ימנו ְִִָּ והגיענו ּּ ְַַ לזמן ֶַּהזה . . 

SUCCOT 46 47 SUCCOT GUIDE TO TISHREI GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘Relaxed and joyful’ Succcot, Celebrating the Joy of Life

Succot is the third festival in two weeks. First we had Rosh Hashanah and crowned God as King. Then we celebrated Yom Kippur and completed our Teshuva. Now we have Succot – described as “the time of our [greatest] happiness”! Why do we need Succot in such close succession to the Days of Awe? There is a story of a King whose son leaves him to join a group of anarchists1. After a while the prince is rescued by soldiers, returns and in a stern ceremony before the senior courtiers, apologises to his father for his misbehaviour. But he has lost the trust of his father the King – no amount of stern apologetics can convince his father that he has really changed. Only a long time later, when the King sees his son dancing and singing at a Royal function does the King now believe that the son has returned for good. His inner feelings could have been disguised when he was under stress, but when he was relaxed and joyful, his true attitude was revealed. And that’s us. We strayed. We returned on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. But that was austere. They were Days of Awe. On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur some dress in a Kittel (the robes of purity which are also worn when a person passes away). We say the (Vidui) celebrating that one says on one’s deathbed. We talk about the book of life (and death). We don’t eat, drink, wash or wear leather shoes. There is a serious tone to these days. the joy Then there is Succot. Food and drink is commanded (in the Succah). Enjoyment of nature (seeing the stars through a roof made of plant material). Singing in Shul (the prayer). of life Succot is a festival that celebrates life. The greatest reason to disqualify a Lulav is if it is dried out. We learn this from the words of the Psalm recited on Succot – “The dead cannot praise You”2. We shake the Lulav 18 times (3 times in each of 6 directions) – the number 18 has the numerical value of the hebrew word chai – meaning life3. We may have returned to the King on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur out of fear and trembling. Now we have the chance to show that we have truly returned – through joy and celebration of life.

1 Netivot Shalom 2 Gemara Succah 3 Rav Shlomo Aviner

SUCCOT 48 49 SUCCOT GUIDE TO TISHREI GUIDE TO TISHREI

Celebration of Life: The Succah Yom Kippur and Succot are “Cleansers” We may ask ourselves – what is life? What is it all about? What are we rushing around for? We came out of Yom Kippur cleansed in a spiritual sense – ready to start again. We enter Is it worth celebrating? This old story sums it up perfectly. Succot cleansed in a material sense – living back-to-basics. May we capture this feeling of joy, from the pure simplicity of life. May we remember it and may it provide us with hope An American tourist was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat and strength for the rest of the year. with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The tourist complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.” The tourist then asked, “Why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” The Mexican said, “With this I have more than enough to support my family’s needs.” The tourist then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?” The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life.” The tourist scoffed, “I can help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat: With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor; eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You could leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and eventually New York where you could run your ever-expanding enterprise.” The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?” The tourist replied, “15 to 20 years.” “But what then?” asked the Mexican. The tourist laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.” “Millions?...Then what?” The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.” Succot reminds us to refocus and understand what life is truly all about. We spend so much of our lives obsessed by our material possestions, Succot and the Succah ask us to focus on what really matters in life. The Succah is also a leveler for society. Throughout the year we may choose to differentiate ourselves by our cars, our homes and our holidays. But on Succot we are all equal – living in a temporary dwelling, at one with Nature, remembering the joy that can be obtained through the simplest things in life. In the words of one Rabbi4 “We must remember – and communicate to our children – that what is important is values not venues, content not coverings, inner emotions and not external appearances”. 4 Rabbi Shlomo Riskin

SUCCOT 50 51 SUCCOT GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘Finally sealed.’

Our judgements are finally sealed on Hoshanah Rabbah.

Hoshanah Rabbah is the seventh and last day of Succot. Its name comes from the fact that more hoshanot (celebratory circuits by the congregation around a ) are said on this day than on all the previous days of the festival. Hoshanah Rabbah is the day on which judgements for the coming year are finally sealed. This is the end of the process that began on Rosh Hashanah. In some ways, Hoshanah Rabbah is similar to Yom Kippur as there are additional prayers and requests for repentance.

Although Hoshanah Rabbah was not given any different status in the Torah than the other days of Chol Hamoed (the intermediate days of the festival), the Jewish people observe many extra customs on this day for instance the white curtain on the ark in shul remains up until after this day.

On the beating of the Aravah, willow branch, is performed. In the Hoshanah morning services of Hoshanna Rabbah, following Musaf (and some places after Hallel) the hoshanot are said as written in the prayerbook, the congregation marches around the bima seven times, after which comes the beating of the Aravah, willow branch. The Rabbah Aravahs are beaten against the floor five times. No blessing is recited over the beating of the Aravah since it is a custom.

53 SUCCOT GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘New resolutions Hoshanah Rabbah is the seventh for change’ and last day of Succot1. Each of us emerges from the Days of Awe, with new resolutions for change. When we made commitments in Shul to change for the better, we had every good intention. Now we are eleven days after Yom Kippur and whilst Ne’ilah (the final service on Yom Kippur) was symbolically the closing of the Gates, the last moment to make commitments for the future, our Sages say that there is a late filing extension until Hoshanah Rabbah. When God reveals Himself to Moses at the Burning Bush, and Moses asks His name, God replies – I will be who I will be. In other words, I am the perfect agent of change. It is a Divine quality to decide how we wish to be and then to act on it perfectly. For us lesser mortals, our commitments to change do not always get carried out 100%. Hoshanah Rabbah is the time to revisit our commitments made through awe on Yom Kippur, and ask how can I make this happen. There is a mythical tale about the wind bragging to the sun about his strength. An old man wearing a heavy trench coat walks down the city street. The wind boasts that he can make him remove the coat. Blowing and gusting as hard as he can, the man manages to hold onto the lapels even though he is almost blown into the air. Then the sun speaks out, “I can make him remove the coat!”. After two minutes of intense heat from the sun, the man rapidly undoes the buttons and takes of the coat, to drape it over his arm. Yom Kippur, with its restrictions, can sometimes make us feel like we are at war with our negative inclination – a roaring wind afflicting our souls. And, yet, it is effective in making RABBAH: us look at how to change our lives for the better. Succot, with its focus on joy, is more like the sun, lighting the flame of passion in our The gate is souls. Excitement of new possibilities can make us change so much more rapidly than the negative thoughts of past failures. Hoshanah Rabbah is the last opportunity, this closing year, to make the commitment to change. Hoshanah Rabbah – the deadline for commitments Hoshanah Rabbah is the day to make a final commitment to change, enthused by the excitement of a week of Succot – a week of embracing life. Hoshanah Rabbah is also the time to commit to bringing change to the community, welcoming in others and broadening our outlook to include those less fortunate than ourselves. This is the cornerstone of the United Synagaogue.

1 According to many opinions, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are considered a separate festival to Succot

55 SUCCOT GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘Day of special The eighth and ninth days (in the intimacy’ Diaspora) are known as Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. In Israel they are rolled together into one day of festivities.

Even though its celebration is linked to the beginning of Succot, Shemini Atzeret is actually a festival of its own. This is why we say the blessing of when we light candles and say Kiddush.

“Shemini” means the eighth. In Judaism the number eight represents perfection. For instance, a brit milah on a baby boy is performed on the eighth day of his life to instil him with perfection.

“Atzeret” means “holding back,” or that which is held back for the purpose of bringing it to its state of completion. Thus, the name “Shemini Atzeret” means the eighth day which is the additional day that brings the seven-day holiday of Succot to its state of perfection. on Shemini Atzeret is also a day of special intimacy between God and the Jewish people. If one looks at the sacrifices brought over the preceding seven days of Succot one sees an interesting progression from day to day of bull offerings from thirteen on the first day Shemini Atzeret down to seven on the seventh day. This gives a total of seventy bulls sacrificed over the course of Succot which corresponds to the seventy nations of the world according to Jewish tradition. However, on Shemini Atzeret just one bull is sacrificed. This gives a and Simchat clue to an understanding of Shemini Atzeret which the following story illustrates. A king held a celebration for all of his subjects which lasted all week long. As the Torah celebrations drew to a close and the king’s subjects were leaving, he turned to his favoured courtiers and said “stay a while – tomorrow will be a day of special celebration - just with you.”

So it is with Shemini Atzeret. God’s presence in the world and the special role that the temple in played in bringing people closer to God (the word for a sacrifice in Hebrew ‘korbon’ comes from a root meaning ‘closeness’) is something to which all nations had access. But on Shemini Atzeret we have a powerful reminder that we are His chosen people.

57 Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘Celebrating the essence’ On Simchat Torah we sing and dance, celebrating the essence of our lives – the Torah. 500 Sifrei Torah will be danced with in United Synagogue shuls this Simchat Torah. Here are a few facts about them:

• The Torah we use today in your shul is written exactly the same way the Torah was written the very first time by Moses 3,300 years ago.

• The Torah Scroll must be written by a specially trained scribe called a sofer. It takes about a year to write an entire scroll – all by hand using a quill and specially prepared ink.

• There are 304,805 letters in a Torah Scroll. Sefer Torah • Even a single missing or misshapen letter invalidates the entire Sefer Torah. • If you look closely at the letters of the Torah Scroll you will notice that they are very fancy – some have crowns on them and the hebrew letter ‘chet’ is made up of two ‘zayins’ overlapping.

• On a regular week we only use one Torah Scroll, but on Yom Tov, on Shabbat and on special Shabbatot we use two, or even three.

59 Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah GUIDE TO TISHREI GUIDE TO TISHREI ‘The secret of happiness’

The Secret of Happiness

Simchat Torah – the joy that can only come from Torah study On Simchat Torah (literally: the Joy of the Torah) we celebrate completing the reading of the Torah (the end of Deuteronomy) and we begin again (at Genesis). But what is the Joy of Torah? TORAH What is the connection between happiness and Torah study? What does it have to do with completing the Reading of the Torah Scroll?

60 Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah 61 Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah GUIDE TO TISHREI GUIDE TO TISHREI

Maslow described how, at a basic level, one needs food, clothes, accommodation and Happiness financial security – because when humans are hungry or cold – they can only focus on The word “Simcha” is translated into English by the word “happiness”. But it refers to a their immediate predicament. At the next level, we crave stimulation (our psychological specific form of happiness – that of contentment. In the words of the Mishnah1, “Who is needs) – through learning, relationships and status. At the highest level, once we have wealthy? One who is content (sameach) with his lot.” everything else, we seek self-actualisation in the achievement of our life goals. But how do we achieve contentment? One Rabbi2 explains that the answer is in the word “Sameach” itself. Observing the Maslow: Hierarchy of needs Torah: close relation of the word to the word “Tsameach”, which means “Growth”, he explains that contentment is achieved when we are growing. Self actualis Self and global actualisation Let’s consider this vitally important idea. -ati on

Any parent will testify that summer holidays with two or more children at home is an Psychological Psychological exhausting and challenging endeavour. It is not long before the parent is brought in to needs needs separate the children from some sort of conflict. Basic And, yet, a school teacher may have 30 children in a class for a whole day and they may Basic needs need s behave with perfect (or near perfect) decorum. If 30 children together can be controlled by one teacher (with an assistant), why can’t one parent handle two children for a day at home? On all festivals (in the Diaspora) and daily (in Israel), Cohanim (priests) stand before Psychologists explain that the children at school are in learning mode. Whilst they are their community and recite the words of the Priestly Blessing: exposed to new ideas and new challenges they grow in self-esteem and this gives them “May the Lord bless you and keep you. a sense of contentment. When children are content they behave. The challenge for the May the Lord light up your face and be gracious unto you. parent at home is to give growth opportunities to their children. May the Lord lift up His face to you and give you peace.” And we are no different. Our explain that the first phrase (bless and keep) refers to God providing us with our material needs3. The second phrase (light and grace) refers to God inspiring us with Give us a challenge (that we are capable of completing) – then we are set up for 4 an enjoyable experience. Give us the same challenge every day, or worse, a lesser the light of Torah knowledge and deeds . The third phrase refers to peace of mind (self- challenge than we had previously, and we will feel frustrated and dissatisfied. fulfilment) and a more universal objective of global peace. Similar to Maslow’s hierarchy. The Torah is the body of knowledge, transmitted to Moses by God at Sinai, discussed But here is a difference. through the Ages by the world’s greatest thinkers, of the essential acts and purpose Maslow portrayed his needs in a Pyramid with material needs on the bottom and of life. Because of its vast content, no human could study all of Torah in a lifetime. fulfilment at the tip. The Priestly Blessing is structured as a Pyramid the other way up! However, the structure of the Torah enables us to delve in at different levels and to The notes that the first phrase “May the Lord bless you …” has three words in complete its study at that level. Challenging, relevant content – with the potential to the Hebrew. The second phrase has five words and the third (peace) has seven words. continue our growth for a lifetime – generating Simcha, contentment. These are an indication of the relative importance of the values espoused. In Judaism, there is contentment in achieving one’s material basics; far greater contentment in growing in knowledge and deeds; and greater still – contentment in The Priestly Blessing and Maslow – the route to contentment moving towards the achievement of one’s life goals. Some 50 years ago, Abraham Maslow, an American Jewish Psychologist, published May the completion of the annual cycle of Reading the Torah this Simchat Torah inspire his famous hierarchy of needs. He wondered what the key drivers are that motivate us to study Torah at deeper levels and to complete many more cycles of learning people to act, and he came up with a model that is still used by many psychologists over the coming months and years. And may this grant us Simcha, contentment, and today. fulfilment for our benefit and for that of the whole world.

1 Pirkei Avot 3 Rashi 2 Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsch 4 Sifri

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Moving Forward.

For our US Chesed team, Lady Amélie Jakobovits z”l (Lady J) was a heroine. She took on a personal role that became synonymous with her — caring for the sick, comforting the bereaved, and reaching out to the lonely. We can never replace her indefatigable drive, only follow in her footsteps. Why not make this a year that Lady J would have been proud of. Which of these actions could you sign up to? 1. Join your local US Community Cares phone round group making care-calls to the elderly 2. Become a home or hospital visitor after receiving key skills training Putting 3. Join your local bereavement befrienders group – we will give you the training needed 4. Help shop for Pesach Food Parcels jewish values 5. Deliver Pesach Food Parcels 6. Help maintain a Facebook or Twitter account for the US Chesed department into action 7. Give Blood 8. Co-ordinate Project Chesed collections in your community 9. Donate your unwanted spectacles, mobile phones, tinned food items, good condition clothes, toys, used football kits and cosmetics. Someone, somewhere, will benefit from your kindness 10. Join the team of volunteers willing to make up a minyan at a funeral or shiva at short notice. People passing away with little close family or friends still deserve respect and dignity - and every mourner deserves the chance to say . The ‘Lady J Chesed Fund’ has been set up in the honour of Lady Amélie Jakobovits to develop more Chesed projects in her ‘zechut’ (merit). If you would like to contribute to this fund, get involved in any of the ideas above, or have other chesed ideas you’d like to share with us, please be in touch with Candice Woolfson - [email protected] or 020 8343 5688.

Help us to keep the wonderful memory of Lady J alive with Chesed.

65 chesed GUIDE TO TISHREI

Final Word...

From Rabbi Andrew Shaw

As a child growing up in Kingsbury United Synagogue in the 1970s I remember being taken to shul by my father for the and being struck by the amount of people present and the seriousness of the occasion. It seemed to me this Judaism was a serious business and not that much fun for a seven year old. Thankfully I was lucky. My parents brought me back a few days later for the festivals of Succot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah where I saw not as many people but a joy and a vibrancy that has lived with me ever since. To see Judaism as a living, inviting and festive experience allowed me to engage as a child with my community and forge connections with my faith that are still with me today. Later on in life I realised that the experiences of Tishrei were both different sides of the same Jewish coin. Judaism is not just about self reflection, repentance, regret and a need to change but without them we cannot grow as a human being. Judaism is not just about celebration, singing, dancing and eating but without them we cannot be in touch with a living Judaism which nourishes the mind and inspires the soul. I did not realise it at aged seven but the month of Tishrei is the greatest example of what we need to live as a positive, happy and moral Jewish person in the 21st century. It also made me appreciate the rhythm of the Jewish year with its cycles of celebration and mourning, historical remembrance and current realities. The US’ Living & Learning initiative is to bring these ideas of an ancient and powerful way of life into our contemporary lives. I hope that, through this guide, we have a renewed appreciation of our heritage and that we can look forward to a year of joy, blessing and happiness for all our families, the House of Israel and the entire world.

66 Final word [email protected] www.theus.org.uk 020 8343 8989

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