Tag: Rosh Hashanah

How Prayer Can Change Us

From the Haftarah for Rosh Hashanah, taken from the Book of Samuel, we learn how prayer can change us, especially as we view Hannah's role. ...
October 1, 2025 Holidays Neviim (Prophets)

The Imperfectness of Humans and the Binding of Isaac

The Torah reading for Rosh Hashanah, in Genesis, tells the story of the binding of Isaac, telling us about the imperfectness of humans.
October 1, 2025 Holidays Parashat Vayera

Transformation in the New Year: Would You Become a Vampire?

The answer to the question "Would you become a vampire?" can be a framework to transformation in the New Year, starting at Rosh Hashanah.
September 30, 2025 Holidays Rosh Hashanah

Finding my Soul in my Body on Rosh HaShana

In preparation for Rosh HaShana, explore more about the binding of Isaac and understanding how that impacts the exploration of the body, soul, and trans ...
September 22, 2025 Holidays Parashat Vayera

The Last Step: Elul 29

Daily Elul kavanot: Short intentions guiding reflection, teshuvah, and spiritual renewal in preparation for the High Holidays.
, September 22, 2025 Elul Elul Intentions

Nine Symbols to Bring Blessings to Your Rosh HaShanah Table

Some follow the tradition to conduct a seder for Rosh HaShanah. Here is an explanation of the symbols involved in the practice.
September 21, 2025 High Holidays Holidays

Whom Are You Taking To Shul?

For Parashat Nitzavim, the parashah right before Rosh Hashanah, we ask the question, "Whom are you taking to shul?"
September 19, 2025 Parashat Nitzavim Parashat Nitzavim Dvar Torah

Leave Nothing to Chance?

Between Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, we cannot leave anything to chance but we must leave room for God.
September 17, 2025 High Holidays Holidays

Dreaming Bigger: Inspiring Growth and Change in 5786

Shanah Tovah USYers, As we step into the new year of 5786, I want to wish each and every one of you a sweet, meaningful, ...
, September 16, 2025 High Holidays Holidays

High Holiday Message 5786

Dear Friends: I’ve experienced earthquakes twice in my life, and though fortunately they were both mild, I found each experience remarkably terrifying. Supposedly, there is ...
September 16, 2025 Elul Holidays

The Thread of Continuity: Elul 22

Daily Elul kavanot: Short intentions guiding reflection, teshuvah, and spiritual renewal in preparation for the High Holidays.
, September 15, 2025 Elul Elul Intentions

Crowning the Year: Elul 16

Daily Elul kavanot: Short intentions guiding reflection, teshuvah, and spiritual renewal in preparation for the High Holidays.
, September 9, 2025 Elul Elul Intentions
A New World: Elul 6

A New World: Elul 6

Daily Elul kavanot: Short intentions guiding reflection, teshuvah, and spiritual renewal in preparation for the High Holidays.
, August 30, 2025 Elul Elul Intentions
תכלה שנה וקללותיה – תחל שנה וברכותיה

תכלה שנה וקללותיה – תחל שנה וברכותיה

ובאמת, לצד האסונות שידענו לאורך אלפי שנות קיומנו, ידענו גם לקום, להתאחד ולהתחזק מתוך השבר. וכך יהיה גם הפעם.
September 23, 2024 High Holidays Holidays
End the Year and Its Curses – Begin the Year with Its Blessings

End the Year and Its Curses – Begin the Year with Its Blessings

Despite the disasters we have faced, we have known how to rise, unite, and grow stronger from the fractures.
September 23, 2024 High Holidays Holidays

High Holiday Liturgy: Making Meaning from the Metaphors for God

By understanding the nuance of Divine justice, we are given a powerful model for healthier relationships in the human realm.
September 18, 2024 High Holidays Holidays
Davening with Leonard Cohen

Davening with Leonard Cohen

A rockstar-poet-monk and a humble Jew, a roshi and just another rabbi. In some moments, we trade places, imagining what could have been.
September 17, 2024 High Holidays Holidays
Doing Teshuvah Outside of Communal Prayers

Doing Teshuvah Outside of Communal Prayers

This teshuvah, written at a time when gathering was not possible, explores doing teshuvah outside of communal prayers.
February 5, 2024 Elul Holidays
Netzach and Hod

Netzach and Hod (Rosh Hashanah)

Rabbi Friedson explains the middot—soul traits—of netzach and hod and relates the required tenacity and glory to this time of year.
November 5, 2023 High Holidays Holidays
Hope is a Rope

Hope is a Rope (Rosh Hashanah)

We learn from Rabbi Friedson to keep our hope in mind for this next year. Our hope is a rope, just as strong and tenacious.
November 5, 2023 High Holidays Holidays

How to recite Kiddush on Rosh Hashanah (even on Shabbat)

On Rosh Hashanah, we recite a special kiddush blessing that marks the moment. On Shabbat and Saturday nights, there are special inclusions.
September 14, 2023 Holidays How to observe Rosh Hashanah
What Can I Expect at My First Rosh Hashanah Services?

What Can I Expect at My First Rosh Hashanah Services?

The intensity of Rosh Hashanah can be intimidating; read this guide to get to know what to expect at services on our New Year.
September 11, 2023 Holidays Rosh Hashanah
When the Holidays Are Hard

When the Holidays Are Hard

Everyone celebrates Rosh Hashanah differently, but sometimes, the holidays are hard. What can we do when this is true?
September 11, 2023 Elul Holidays
Celebrating the High Holy Days From Home

Celebrating the High Holy Days From Home

Celebrating the high holy days from home gives us ample opportunity to bring the sacred even further into our lives.
August 13, 2023 Elul High Holidays
Tashlikh: A Quick Overview

Tashlikh: A Quick Overview

One of the beautiful customs associated with Rosh Hashanah is Tashlikh, a brief service that takes place by a body of water.
, September 20, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
5 Myths about T’shuvah

5 Myths about T’shuvah

Five myths that we tell ourselves about t'shuvah that keep us from doing it skillfully or doing it at all.
September 19, 2022 Elul High Holidays
What is Tashlich?

What is Tashlich?

What is Tashlich? How do you do it, what is its history, what are the environmental concerns and, of course, why I love Tashlich.
September 19, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Dress to Impress Yourself…Into the Book of Life

Dress to Impress Yourself…Into the Book of Life

Sara Beth Berman teaches us: Everything you need to know about clothing the body that holds your precious soul for the High Holidays.
September 19, 2022 Clothing High Holidays
What to Read to Prepare for the High Holidays this Year

What to Read to Prepare for the High Holidays this Year

Rabbi Mordechai Rackover recommends these reads to help you prepare for the themes, liturgy, and spirit of the High Holidays.
September 16, 2022 Elul High Holidays
Rosh Hashanah Musaf Service

Rosh Hashanah Musaf Service

The Musaf Service for Rosh Hashanah contains familiar opening and closing blessings of the Amidah with the usual High Holiday interpolations.
, September 16, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
The Shofar on Rosh Hashanah

The Shofar on Rosh Hashanah

Sounding of the shofar is a characteristic mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah. The holiday is alternatively called the Day of Sounding the Shofar. 
, September 16, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Rosh Hashanah Torah Reading

Rosh Hashanah Torah Reading

Rosh Hashanah Torah reading includes Abraham, Sarah, and the Binding of Isaac. Haftarot tell the story of Samuel and other relevant themes.
, September 16, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Rosh Hashanah Synagogue Services

Rosh Hashanah Synagogue Services

For most people, Rosh Hashanah means a lot of time spent praying in the synagogue. These are the complex explanations behind those prayers.
, September 16, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Could The Terminator Do Teshuvah?

Could The Terminator Do Teshuvah?

Rabbi Dan Ornstein teaches us: human freedom is ineradicable and that our dignity is predicated upon our moral responsibility.
September 16, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
My Bangin’ Rosh Hashanah Seder

My Bangin’ Rosh Hashanah Seder

Emily Jaeger explains to us: What is the Rosh Hashanah seder, how do we perform it, and why you might consider doing one too.
September 15, 2022 Food High Holidays
Being Called by God

Being Called by God

When we say hineni to ourselves and our lives have a spiritual center, our existence will be more meaningful, and we'll live a more purposeful ...
September 15, 2022 Elul High Holidays
Rosh Hashanah At Home

Rosh Hashanah At Home

Personal and at-home Rosh Hashanah rituals include candle lighting, eating apples with honey, and sharing meals.
, September 15, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Candle Lighting for Rosh Hashanah

Candle Lighting for Rosh Hashanah

When and how to do Rosh Hashanah Candle Lighting. We usher in Rosh Hashanah by lighting candles, just as we do on Shabbat.
, September 12, 2022 Blessings Every Day
The Days Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

The Days Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as the Ten Days of Repentance and include the Fast of Gedaliah.
, September 7, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Customs before Rosh Hashanah

Customs before Rosh Hashanah

There are customs in order to prepare for Rosh Hashanah, including Selichot, physical changes in the synagogue, and immersing in the mikveh.
, August 30, 2022 High Holidays Holidays

Living With No Regrets

While introspection is healthy, too much regret can discourage us from embracing our unchangeable past and our openness to future choices.
August 25, 2022 Elul High Holidays
When is the Jewish New Year?

When is the Jewish New Year?

There are four New Years, each with its own purpose. That said, the counting of the new year begins with Rosh Hashanah, in the seventh ...
, August 21, 2022 Elul High Holidays