Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on August 8, 2020

Rosh Hashanah is one of the holiest days of the year for Jews. It is the Jewish new year, and it is a major time of prayer, reflection on the year that's just passed, and setting intentions for the year ahead. Many Jews spend a large part of Rosh Hashanah in synagogues praying with their community, but if you want to spend some time praying this Rosh Hashanah and you can't make it to a temple service or you're weary about attending due to COVID-19, then there are definitely Rosh Hashanah prayers you can say at home. As the pandemic makes interacting with your community evermore difficult, reciting the basic Rosh Hashanah prayers at home alone or with your loved ones can be a great way to recreate that sense of community.

Lighting candles is a major part of all Jewish holidays. There are many reasons why candlelight is important in Jewish tradition, and a lot of it comes from the Torah. "The process of imposing order on chaos begins with the divine command, 'Let there be light' (Genesis 1:3)," said Ismar Schorsch, a professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary. As you light candles this Rosh Hashanah, you can say the following prayer:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel (Shabbat v'shel) Yom Tov.

The English translation is: Blessed are You, our God, Ruler of the world, who sanctifies us with mitzvot and calls upon us to kindle the lights of (Shabbat and) the Festival day.

The Kiddush is a blessing to sanctify the beginning of the holiday. It is said over a glass of wine or grape juice.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, borei p'ri hagafen.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher bachar banu mikol-am, vrommanu mikol-lashon, kid'shanu b'mitzvotav. Va-titen-lanu Adonai Eloheinu, bahavah et-yom ha-zikaron ha-zeh, yom Truah, mikrah kodesh, zacher li-tzi-at Mitrayim. Ki vanu vacharta, v'otanu kidashta, mikol haamim, udvrachah emet vkayam la-ad. Baruch atah, Adonai, Melech al kol ha-aretz, mikadesh Yisrael vyom hazikaron.

The English translation is:

Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has chosen us from all the peoples, hallowing us with mitzvot. In Your love, Adonai our God, You have given us this Day of Remembrance, to hear the sound of the Shofar, to unite in worship, and to recall the Exodus from Egypt. For You have chosen us from all the peoples, consecrating us to Your service, and Your word is truth eternal. Praised is the Sovereign God, Sovereign of all the world, who hallows the House of Israel and the Day of Remembrance.

The Shehecheyanu is a prayer that Jews say to mark special occasions. It is said on especially holy days, but it is also said as a celebration and thank you for blessings that occur in everyday life such as the birth of a child, getting a new job, or achieving something you worked very hard for or didn't think you could. As Rosh Hashanah is one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar, it is an important time to say the Shehecheyanu.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu vkiymanu vhigianu lazman hazeh.

In English: Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.

On Rosh Hashanah, Jews eat apples dipped in honey to signify the sweet new year. If you're enjoying the special new year treat, then you can say this two-part prayer before enjoying the sweetness.

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei pri ha-eitz.

In English: We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the tree.

Yhi ratzon milfanecha, Adonai Eloheinu vEloheiavoteinu vimoteinu, shetchadesh aleinu shanah tovah umtukah.

In English: May it be Your will, Eternal our God, that this be a good and sweet year for us.

Whether you're celebrating Rosh Hashanah in a synagogue or at home this year, these prayers can provide comfort and celebration as you reflect on the past year and prepare to enter the new one. Happy Rosh Hashanah and Shanah Tovah!

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Celebrate Rosh Hashanah With These Prayers to Welcome the New Year - WomansDay.com

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