B"H
Monday, Elul 23, 5776 / September 26, 2016 - Hakhel year
This is the last Monday of this year, 5776. Next Monday will be Rosh Hashana - the New Year, 5777.
The holiday of Rosh Hashana is unique in that it is celebrated two days in Israel just as in the Diaspora.
The first night of Rosh Hashana, we wish each other "L'shana Tova Tikateivu Vtaichateimu" - "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."
We don't wish the same on the second night. The reason is because the Talmud tells us that, "The righteous people are immediately inscribed on the first day of Rosh Hashana, for good life." To demonstrate that we consider everyone righteous, we wish "L'shana Tova" only the first day. To wish someone the same on the second night or day, would mean that we are in doubt whether they are righteous. It teaches us how careful we must be to view others in a positive way, especially on Rosh Hashana.
On Rosh Hashana, we eat different foods to symbolize our prayers for a sweet year. For this reason, we dip the Challa and apple in honey. We also eat foods which symbolize good things. For example, many people eat part of the head of a fish and declare, "May we, this year, be at the head!" In other words, we should be on top and not on the bottom.
Listening to the blowing of the Shofar on Rosh Hashana is a very important mitzvah. The sound of the Shofar on Rosh Hashana serves as a wake up call to return to G-d, for the sound of the Shofar reminds us that Rosh Hashana is the Day of Judgment.
Also, on Rosh Hashana we proclaim G-d as the King of the universe. At the coronation of a king, it is customary to blow trumpets. Through blowing the Shofar we declare G-d King of the universe.
Q. Why is it customary that the Rosh Hashana challahs (bread) are shaped round?
A.The round challah symbolizes the shape of the universe and remind us that the world is judged on this day. It also resembles the shape of a crown. This signifies that on this day we crown G-d as the king of the universe, as mentioned above.
Q.Aside from the practical application, is there any significance in the fact that the Shofar is blown from the narrow end while the wide end of the Shofar is pointing upward?
A. One of the verses from the Psalms recited before the sounding of the Shofar is, "Out of distress I called to G-d; with abounding relief, G-d answered me."
The narrow side of the Shofar through which we blow represents our call of distress while the wide end of the Shofar represents G-d's answering our call of distress with abounding relief.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA