What Is The English Text Of The Selichot Service For Rosh Hashanah Eve?

Rosh Hashanah (רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה), literally meaning "head [of] the yr", is the Jewish New year. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah (יוֹם תְּרוּעָה), literally "solar day of shouting or diggings". It is the get-go of the Jewish High Holy Days (יָמִים נוֹרָאִיםYamim Nora'im. "Days of Awe") specified byLeviticus 23:23–32 that occur in the early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere.

Rosh Hashanah is a two-day commemoration that begins on the first day of Tishrei, which is the 7th month of the ecclesiastical year. In contrast to the ecclesiastical year, where the first calendar month Nisan, the Passover month, marks Israel's exodus from Arab republic of egypt, Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the civil yr, co-ordinate to the teachings of Judaism, and is the traditional ceremony of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first human being and woman co-ordinate to the Hebrew Bible, and the inauguration of humanity'due south office in God'south world. According to ane secular opinion, the holiday owes its timing to the beginning of the economical year in Western asia and Northeast Africa, marking the kickoff of the agricultural bicycle.

Rosh Hashanah customs include sounding the shofar (a cleaned-out ram'southward horn), every bit prescribed in the Torah, following the prescription of the Hebrew Bible to "enhance a noise" on Yom Teruah. Its rabbinical customs include attention synagogue services and reciting special liturgy about teshuva, every bit well as enjoying festive meals. Eating symbolic foods is now a tradition, such equally apples dipped in dearest, hoping to evoke a sweet new year's day.

Shofar שופר (Jewish ritual horn)

Etymology

"Rosh" is the Hebrew give-and-take for "head", "ha" is the definite article ("the"), and "shanah" means yr. Thus "Rosh HaShanah" means 'head [of] the year', referring to the Jewish day of new twelvemonth.

The term "Rosh Hashanah" in its current pregnant does not appear in the Torah. Leviticus 23:24 refers to the festival of the start day of the seventh calendar month aszikhron teru'ah ("a memorial of blowing [of horns]"); information technology is besides referred to in the same part of Leviticus as 'שַׁבַּת שַׁבָּתוֹן' (shabbat shabbaton) or ultimate Sabbath or meditative residue mean solar day, and a "holy day to God". These same words are commonly used in the Psalms to refer to the all-powerful days. Numbers 29:i calls the festivalyom teru'ah ("day of bravado [the horn]"). The termrosh hashanah appears once in the Bible (Ezekiel 40:ane), where it has a unlike pregnant: either by and large the fourth dimension of the "outset of the year", or possibly a reference to Yom Kippur, or to the month of Nisan.

In the Jewish prayer-books (i.e. the Siddur and Machzor), Rosh Hashanah is also chosenYom Hazikaron (the day of remembrance), not to exist confused with the modernistic Israeli remembrance mean solar day of the same name.

Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of a new twelvemonth in the Hebrew calendar (ane of four "new year's day" observances that define diverse legal "years" for dissimilar purposes as explained in the Mishnah and Talmud) Information technology is the new year's day for people, animals, and legal contracts. The Mishnah also sets this day aside every bit the new year for computing calendar years, shmita and yovel years. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of homo.

Origin

The origin of the Hebrew New year's day is continued to the beginning of the economic year in the agronomical societies of the ancient Near E. The New year's day was the start of the cycle of sowing, growth, and harvest; the harvest was marked past its own set of major agricultural festivals. The Semites generally set the starting time of the new year's day in autumn, while other ancient civilizations chose spring for that purpose, such every bit the Persians or Greeks; the chief reason was agronomical in both cases, the time of sowing the seed and bringing in the harvest.

In Jewish law, four major New Years are observed, each one marking a first of sorts. The lunar month Nisan (usually corresponding to the months March–April in the Gregorian agenda) is when a new year's day is added to the reign of Jewish kings, and it marks the commencement of the year for the iii Jewish pilgrimages. Its injunction is expressly stated in the Hebrew Bible: "This month shall exist unto youthe beginning of months"(Exo. 12:2). Notwithstanding, ordinary years, Sabbatical years, Jubilees, and dates inscribed on legal deeds and contracts are reckoned differently; such years begin on the beginning day of the lunar calendar month Tishri (unremarkably respective to the months September–October in the Gregorian calendar). Their injunction is expressly stated in the Hebrew Bible: "Three times in the twelvemonth you shall keep a feast unto me… the feast of unleavened breadstuff (Passover)… the feast of harvest (Shavuot)… and the feast of ingathering (Sukkot) which is at the departing of the year" (Exo. 23:xiv–16). "At the departing of the year" implies that the new twelvemonth begins hither.

The reckoning of Tishri as the outset of the Jewish yr began with the early Egyptians and was preserved past the Hebrew nation, being also alluded to in the Hebrew Bible(Genesis 7:11) when describing the Great Deluge at the time of Noah. This began during the "2nd month" (Marheshvan) counting from Tishri, a view that has largely been accepted by the Sages of Israel.

Religious significance

The Mishnah contains the second known reference to Rosh Hashanah as the "solar day of judgment" (Yom haDin). In the Talmud tractate on Rosh Hashanah, it states that 3 books of business relationship are opened on Rosh Hashanah, wherein the fate of the wicked, the righteous, and those of the intermediate class are recorded. The names of the righteous are immediately inscribed in the book of life and they are sealed "to live". The intermediate form is allowed a respite of ten days, until Yom Kippur, to reverberate, apologize and become righteous; the wicked are "blotted out of the book of the living forever".

Some midrashic descriptions depict God as sitting upon a throne, while books containing the deeds of all humanity are opened for review, and each person passes in front of Him for evaluation of his or her deeds.

"The Holy One said, 'on Rosh Hashanah recite before Me [verses of] Sovereignty, Remembrance, and Shofar blasts (malchiyot, zichronot, shofrot): Sovereignty so that you lot should make Me your King; Remembrance then that your remembrance should rise upward before Me. And through what? Through the Shofar.' (Rosh Hashanah 16a, 34b)" This is reflected in the prayers composed by the classical rabbinic sages for Rosh Hashanah found in all machzorim where the theme of the prayers is the strongest theme is the "coronation" of God as King of the universe in preparation for the acceptance of judgments that volition follow on that day, symbolized as "written" into a Divine book of judgments, that then hang in the residuum for ten days waiting for all to repent, and then they volition be "sealed" on Yom Kippur. The assumption is that everyone was sealed for life and therefore the side by side festival is Sukkot (Tabernacles) that is referred to every bit "the time of our joy" (z'human being simchateinu).

Shofar bravado

Judaica (clockwise from top): Shabbat candlesticks, handwashing cup, Chumash and Tanakh, Torah arrow, shofar and etrog box

The best-known ritual of Rosh Hashanah is the bravado of the shofar, a musical instrument made from an creature horn. The shofar is blown at various instances during the Rosh Hashanah prayers, with a full of 100 blasts over the day.

While the bravado of the shofar is a Biblical statute, it is likewise a symbolic "wake-up call," stirring Jews to mend their ways and repent. The shofar blasts phone call out: "Sleepers, wake up from your sleep! Examine your ways and repent and remember your Creator."

Prayer service

On Rosh Hashanah mean solar day, religious poems, calledpiyyutim, are added to the regular services. A special prayer book, the mahzor, is used on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (plural mahzorim). A number of additions are made to the regular service, most notably an extended repetition of the Amidah prayer for both Shacharit and Mussaf. The Shofar is blown during Mussaf at several intervals. (In many synagogues, even footling children come and hear the Shofar being diddled.) Biblical verses are recited at each signal. According to the Mishnah, 10 verses (each) are said regarding kingship, remembrance, and the shofar itself, each accompanied by the bravado of the shofar. A variety ofpiyyutim, medieval penitential prayers, are recited regarding themes of repentance. TheAlenu prayer is recited during the repetition of the Mussaf Amidah.

The Mussaf Amidah prayer on Rosh Hashanah is unique in that apart from the offset and last 3 blessings, it contains 3 central blessings making a full of 9. These blessings are entitled "Malchuyot" (Kingship, and likewise includes the blessing for the holiness of the day as is in a normal Mussaf), "Zichronot" (Remembrance) and "Shofarot" (apropos the Shofar). Each section contains an introductory paragraph followed past selections of verses most the "topic". The verses are 3 from the Torah, 3 from the Ketuvim, 3 from the Nevi'im, and one more from the Torah. During the repetition of the Amidah, the Shofar is sounded (except on Shabbat) later the approving that ends each department. Recitation of these three blessings is first recorded in the Mishna, though writings past Philo and perhaps even Psalms 81 suggest that the blessings may have been recited on Rosh Hashanah even centuries earlier.

Customs

The days before Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is preceded by the month of Elul, during which Jews are supposed to brainstorm a self-examination and repentance, a process that culminates in the ten days of the Yamim Nora'im, the Days of Awe, showtime with Rosh Hashanah and catastrophe with the holiday of Yom Kippur.

Theshofar is traditionally diddled each morn for the entire month of Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah. The audio of theshofar is intended to awaken the listeners from their "slumbers" and alert them to the coming judgment. The shofar is not blown on Shabbat.

In the period leading up to Rosh Hashanah, penitential prayers, calledselichot, are recited. The Sephardic tradition is to first at the outset of Elul, while the Ashkenazi practice is to start a few days before Rosh Hashanah

The day before Rosh Hashanah day is known asErev Rosh Hashanah ("Rosh Hashanah eve"). It is the 29th day of the Hebrew month of Elul, ending at sundown, when Rosh Hashanah commences. Some communities perform Hatarat nedarim (a nullification of vows) after the morning prayer services. Many Orthodox men immerse in a mikveh in honor of the coming day.

Symbolic foods

Rosh Hashanah jams prepared by Libyan Jews

Rosh Hashanah meals ordinarily include apples dipped in beloved to symbolize a sweet new year. Other foods with a symbolic meaning may be served, depending on local minhag ("custom"), such equally the head of a fish (to symbolize the prayer "let us be the head and not the tail").

Many communities concur a "Rosh Hashanah seder" during which blessings are recited over a variety of symbolic dishes. The blessings accept the incipit "Yehi ratzon", significant "May information technology be Thy will." In many cases, the name of the food in Hebrew or Aramaic represents a play on words (a pun). The Yehi Ratzon platter may include apples (dipped in honey, baked or cooked equally a compote calledmansanada); dates; pomegranates; black-eyed peas; pumpkin-filled pastries calledrodanchas; leek fritters calledkeftedes de prasa; beets; and a whole fish with the caput intact. Information technology is also common to eat stuffed vegetables calledlegumbres yaprakes.

Some of the symbolic foods eaten are dates, black-eyed peas, leek, spinach and gourd, all of which are mentioned in the Talmud: "Let a human being be accustomed to eat on New Yr'south Day gourds (קרא), and fenugreek (רוביא), leeks (כרתי), beet [leaves] (סילקא), and dates (תמרי)."

Pomegranates are used in many traditions, to symbolize beingness fruitful similar the pomegranate with its many seeds. The use of apples dipped in dearest, symbolizing a sweet year, is a late medieval Ashkenazi addition, though it is now about universally accustomed. Typically, round challah bread is served, to symbolize the cycle of the year. From ancient to quite modernistic age, lamb head or fish head were served. Nowadays, gefilte fish and lekach are commonly served by Ashkenazic Jews on this holiday. On the second night, new fruits are served to warrant inclusion of the shehecheyanu blessing.

Tashlikh

The ritual oftashlikh is performed on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah past Ashkenazic and well-nigh Sephardic Jews (but not past Spanish & Portuguese Jews or some Yemenites). Prayers are recited most natural flowing water, and one's sins are symbolically cast into the water. Many also have the custom to throw bread or pebbles into the water, to symbolize the "casting off" of sins. In some communities, if the beginning day of Rosh Hashanah occurs on Shabbat,tashlikh is postponed until the 2d 24-hour interval. The traditional service fortashlikh is recited individually and includes the prayer "Who is similar unto yous, O God…And You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea", and Biblical passages including Isaiah 11:ix ("They will not injure nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall exist equally full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters encompass the sea") and Psalms 118:5–9, Psalms 121 and Psalms 130, also as personal prayers. Though once considered a solemn private tradition, it has become an increasingly social ceremony skilful in groups. Tashlikh tin be performed whatever time until Hoshana Rabba, and some Hasidic communities perform Tashlikh on the day earlier Yom Kippur.

Greetings

The Hebrew common greeting on Rosh Hashanah isShanah Tovah (שנה טובה‎), which translated from Hebrew means "[have a] skillful twelvemonth". OftenShanah Tovah Umetukah (שנה טובה ומתוקה‎), meaning "[have a] Skilful and Sweet Year", is used. In Yiddish the greeting is אַ גוט יאָר "a gut yor" ("a good year") or אַ גוט געבענטשט יאָר "a gut gebentsht yor" ("a skilful blessed year").The formal Sephardic greeting isTizku Leshanim Rabbot ("may yous merit many years"), to which the reply isNe'imot VeTovot ("pleasant and good ones").

A more formal greeting commonly used among religiously observant Jews isKetivah VaChatimah Tovah (כְּתִיבָה וַחֲתִימָה טוֹבָה‎), which translates as "A adept inscription and sealing [in the Book of Life]", orL'shanah tovah tikatevu v'tichatemu significant "May you be inscribed and sealed for a skilful twelvemonth". Afterward Rosh Hashanah ends, the greeting is changed to1000'mar chatimah tovah (גמר חתימה טובה‎) pregnant "A practiced last sealing", until Yom Kippur. Later Yom Kippur is over, until Hoshana Rabbah, as Sukkot ends, the greeting isGmar Tov (גְּמָר טוֹב‎), "a good decision".

In Karaite Judaism

Chief article: Karaite Judaism,

Unlike the denominations of Rabbinical Judaism, Karaite Judaism believes the Jewish New Year starts with the first month and celebrate this holiday only as it is mentioned in the Torah, that is as a day of rejoicing and shouting. Additionally, Karaites believe the adoption of the proper name "Rosh Hashanah" in identify of Yom Teruah "is the result of pagan Babylonian influence upon the Jewish nation, that began during the Babylonian exile with the adoption of the Babylonian calendar month names instead of the numbering present in the Torah (Leviticus 23; Numbers 28). Karaites permit no work on the day except what is needed to prepare food (Leviticus 23:23, 24).

In Samaritanism

Main commodity: Samaritanism

Samaritans preserve the biblical name of the holiday,Yom Teruah, and practice not consider the twenty-four hours to be a New year's solar day.

Duration and timing

The Torah defines Rosh Hashanah every bit a one-day celebration, and since days in the Hebrew calendar begin at sundown, the outset of Rosh Hashanah is at sundown at the terminate of 29 Elul. Since the time of the destruction of the 2nd Temple of Jerusalem in 70 CE and the fourth dimension of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai, normative Jewish law appears to be that Rosh Hashanah is to be celebrated for two days, considering of the difficulty of determining the date of the new moon. Yet, there is some testify that Rosh Hashanah was historic on a single 24-hour interval in Israel every bit late every bit the thirteenth century CE.

Orthodox and Conservative Judaism now generally observe Rosh Hashanah for the beginning two days of Tishrei, fifty-fifty in Israel where all other Jewish holidays dated from the new moon last just one twenty-four hour period. The two days of Rosh Hashanah are said to constitute "Yoma Arichtah" (Aramaic: "one long day"). In Reform Judaism, while most congregations in Due north America observe but the first day of Rosh Hashanah, some follow the traditional two-mean solar day observance every bit a sign of solidarity with other Jews worldwide. Karaite Jews, who do non recognize Rabbinic Jewish oral law and rely on their own understanding of the Torah, observe simply one day on the first of Tishrei, since the second day is not mentioned in the Written Torah.

Originally, the date of Rosh Hashanah was determined based on observation of the new moon, and thus could fall out on whatsoever 24-hour interval of the calendar week. However, around the third century CE, the Hebrew agenda was fixed, such that the kickoff day of Rosh Hashanah never falls out on Sun, Midweek, or Friday.

Rosh Hashanah occurs 163 days after the kickoff day of Passover. In terms of the Gregorian calendar, the earliest engagement on which Rosh Hashanah can autumn is September 5, equally happened in 1842, 1861, 1899 and 2013. The latest Gregorian date that Rosh Hashanah can occur is October 5, as happened in 1815, 1929 and 1967, and will happen again in 2043. After 2089, the differences betwixt the Hebrew calendar and the Gregorian calendar will event in Rosh Hashanah falling no before than September 6. Starting in 2214, the new latest date will exist October six.