Laws of Rosh Hashana

All these laws are in accordance with the Shulchan Aruch and the psak of HaGaon Rabbi Ovadia Yosef shlit’a.
The source for these laws are reference from Torah HaMoadim- Yamim Noraim, authored by HaGaon Rav Daveed Yosef shlit’a.

In the following post, we will cover the laws and customs of:

• Preparing for Rosh Hashana
• Candle Lighting
• Kiddush
• Simanim (the special foods)
• Shofar

The Day Before Rosh Hashana (RH)

• We do not say vidduy nor tachanun the day preceding RH (this Friday). Not at Shacharit nor at Mincha.
• We do not say Lamnatseach Mizmor L’David nor Tefila L’David at Shacharit.
• The last time one can do Selichot before RH is before Shacharit. (However one does continue to recite them during the Aseret Yemei Teshuva, the week after RH).
• One should not blow a shofar the day preceding RH. (If one wishes to practice blowing it, he must be in a room where no one can hear him).

Customs for the day preceding RH

• It is a good custom to cut one’s hair and clean one’s clothes the day preceding RH.
• It is also a custom to go to the Mikveh the day preceding RH.
• There is a custom to visit the graves of holy people the day preceding RH and beseech them to pray on ones behalf in order to have a meritorious and successful year.
• Some have a custom of reciting Hatarat Nedarim (The Annulment of Vows) the day preceding RH. Men should ask their wives to appoint them to be messengers in order to annul their vows, however even without this they can proceed to annul them. A competent halachik authority should be consulted to asses which vows can be annulled and which can not.

The Night of RH – Candle Lighting

When RH falls out on Friday night, women should light two candles for RH (that includes the Shabbat candles).
On Saturday night, ONLY light from a LIT candle (make sure to light a 24-hour candle on Friday night).

The blessing for Friday night is:

BAROUCH ATA ADO-NAI, ELO-HEINU MELECH HA-OLAM, ASHER KIDESHANU B’MITSVOTAV, V’TSIVANU L’HADLEEK NER SHEL SHABBAT V’YOM TOV

The blessing for Saturday night is:

BAROUCH ATA ADO-NAI, ELO-HEINU MELECH HA-OLAM, ASHER KIDESHANU B’MITSVOTAV, V’TSIVANU L’HADLEEK NER SHEL YOM TOV

(On a regular year, when RH does not fall on Shabbat, the blessing is:)

BAROUCH ATA ADO-NAI, ELO-HEINU MELECH HA-OLAM, ASHER KIDESHANU B’MITSVOTAV, V’TSIVANU L’HADLEEK NER SHEL YOM TOV

Kiddush

The text of the Kiddush is found in most Siddurim and Machzorim. It begins ELEH MOADEH ADO-NAI MIKRAEH KODESH…

On the FIRST NIGHT (Friday) one first says the first paragraph of the Shabbat Kiddush (VAYCHULU), and then the holy day blessings (ELEH MOADEH…), then BOREH PERI HAGEFEN, followed by SHEH HECHEYANU.

On the SECOND NIGHT (Saturday) one starts with the holy day blessings (ELEH MOADEH…), then BOREH PERI HAGEFEN, followed by HAVDALA (bless on the lit candle BOREH MEOREH HA-ESH, then HAMAVDIL BEN KODESH L’KODSEH), and finally SHEH HECHEYANU.

1^st Night (FRIDAY NIGHT)

ELEH MOADEH
VAYCHULU
BOREH PERI HAGEFEN
MEKADESH ISRAEL V’HAZEMANIM
SHEH HECHEYANU

2^nd Night (SATURDAY NIGHT)

ELEH MOADEH
BOREH PERI HAGEFEN
MEKADESH ISRAEL V’HAZEMANIM
BOREH MEOREH HA-ESH
HAMAVDIL BEN KODESH L’KODESH
SHEH HECHEYANU * the blessing of Sheh Hecheyanu is said on both nights. It is best to have a new fruit on the table or new clothing when reciting this blessing.

The Simanim

In order to lay the spiritual groundwork for a meritorious and good year, the custom is to recite a prayer upon certain foods.

There are two ways of proceeding with this:

In regard to the order of washing/eating Hamotsi and eating the special foods, there are two ways of proceeding. R’Ovadia Yosef is of the opinion that both procedures are correct, however the first one is preferable:

1. After Kiddush but after washing for bread & HaMotsi, then one proceeds to the special foods
2. After Kiddush but before washing for bread & HaMotsi, eat the special foods with the blessings

In regards to the YEHI RATSON and the blessing, once again there are two ways of proceeding (either way is correct, but R Ovadia Yosef is of the opinion that the first is better to do):

1. One can recite the blessing first, taste from the food and then the YEHI RATSON
2. One can say the YEHI RATSON and then recite the appropriate blessing on the food

Here are the foods that one should eat:

Tmar – Dates (bless BOREH PERI HA’ETS, then eat, then say YEHI RATSON)
Roubia – Beans
Karti – Leeks
Silka – Beets
Kra – Gourd/Pumpkin/Squash
Rimon – Pomegranate
Tapouah – Apple Dipped in Sugar/Honey
Rosh – Lamb’s Head (one can substitute with a chicken’s head)

• The custom is also to eat sweet things and avoid sour, bitter and spicy foods.
• Some have a custom to eat fish and some do not. One should follow their own custom.
• Some people avoid eating nuts on RH.

The Day of RH

• If possible, one should avoid sleeping in on RH, as well as taking any naps. If this is too difficult, one can take a nap after chatsot (about 1pm check your local Jewish Calendar).
• One should make extra efforts not to get angry at all on RH (not even in their hearts, let alone externally).
• Some have a custom of finishing the book of Tehilim twice over. Since there are 150 Psalms, reading them twice would amount to 300, gematria C-P-R (Kaper=Atone). Others read Idra Rabba/Zuta. And those who are versed in Talmud may continue their studies.

Shofar

• One may sit or stand while hearing the Shofar.
• One must be quiet while the Shofar is being blown.
• Men over the age of 13 are obligated to hear the Shofar on RH.
• Women are not obligated to hear the Shofar, however those who have a custom to go every year should try their hardest to maintain their tradition or at least hear it in the comfort of their own home.