One of the most important days of the year is approaching – Rosh Hashanah. It is sometimes called the “Jewish New Year,” but the correct translation is the “Head of the Year,” as it is the day that determines the fate of every person, every one of God’s creations, for the entire year.
On this day, the Almighty judges all that He has created, and it is very important to stand before Him on this day, and while listening to the sounds of the shofar, with prayer and repentance, turn to the Creator and Judge with a request for mercy.
On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, women light holiday candles (this year on the evening of Monday, September 22nd), a festive meal is arranged where it is customary to eat apples with honey and, gathering with family, say the words: “May it be Your will to grant us a happy and sweet new year!” Everyone wishes each other a happy and sweet year. At this meal, it is also customary to eat pomegranate, carrots, dates, the head of a ram, or, if unavailable, the head of a fish (so that we may be at the head, not the tail) – all these things symbolize prosperity. It is also customary to avoid sour, spicy, and salty foods on the table so that the year will be sweet.
On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, during the day on September 23rd, after returning home from the synagogue, another festive meal is held. At the end of the first day of the holiday, before sunset, the custom of Tashlich is performed: near a body of water with fish, a short prayer is read, and “sins” are symbolically shaken from the pockets.
In Dnipro, the Tashlich ceremony will take place on Tuesday at 17:50, after the afternoon Mincha prayer, and everyone will go together from the central synagogue “Golden Rose” to the banks of the Dnipro River.
The blowing of the shofar is the most important commandment of the Jewish year. One must listen carefully, hearing the entire blowing from beginning to end, and these sounds touch the deepest depths of the Jewish soul.
Shana Tova Umetuka!
We present to you the detailed prayer schedule for Rosh Hashanah.
Monday, September 22, Erev Rosh Hashanah
Candle Lighting – 18:20
Mincha – During candle lighting
Maariv – 19:10
Festive Kiddush – 19:30
Tuesday, September 23, First Day of Rosh Hashanah
Shacharit – 10:00
Shofar Blowing – 11:40
Musaf – 12:15
Kiddush – After Musaf
Mincha – 17:30
Tashlich – 17:50
Maariv – 19:05
Candle Lighting (from a pre-existing flame) – after 19:13
Festive Kiddush – 19:25
Wednesday, September 24, Second Day of Rosh Hashanah
Shacharit – 10:00
Shofar Blowing – 11:40
Musaf – 12:15
Kiddush – After Musaf
Mincha – 18:20
Maariv & Holiday Ends – 19:11
Thursday, September 25, Fast of Gedaliah
Fast Begins – 04:52
Fast Ends – 19:03
