Happy New Year, says Rabbi Jacobs

In addition to the collective aspects of Rosh Hashanah worship, each man and woman personally asks G‑d to accept the coronation, thus creating the bond of “We are Your people and You are our King.”

It is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, it is the birthday of mankind, highlighting the special relationship between G‑d and humanity.

The sounding of the shofar, the ram’s horn, marks the crowning of the king and a call to observe ten days of repentance culminating in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

We eat a piece of apple dipped in honey to symbolize our desire for a sweet year, as well as many other special foods. All have special significance and symbolize sweetness, blessings, and abundance.

We bless one another with the words Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim, “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”

We go to a lake, river or to the sea and recite the Tashlich prayers, where we symbolically cast our sins into the water, in evocation of the verse, “And You shall cast their sins into the depths of the sea.”

Women and girls light candles on each evening.

Wishing you Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim, “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year 5775 .” from Rabbi Mendel and Tzril Jacobs and family

Rabbi Mendel Jacobs is Scotland’s only Scottish Rabbi, minister of Shul in the Park Syangogue and Lubavitch outreach director.