The Jewish people symbolically cast their sins on Rosh Hashanah (usually in the afternoon) through a service called Taslich/Tashlich (throwing). Taslich/Tashlich is a symbolic gesture in which Jews participate in order to acknowledge their firm desire for repentance and renewal, in order to start off the New Year fresh. It is normally done by taking tiny bits of bread or crumbs and casting them into a body of water (preferably one with fish, so the sins are eaten), such as a a creek, stream, lake, river, or the ocean.
Water symbolize kindness and we ask G-d to be kind to us during the New Year, and also because the sea or a river, etc. are inspiring and illuminating forms of nature, causing us to reflect inward on our repentance and on G-d’s mercy.
Water forms on Rosh Hashanah also remind us of Abraham and his journey on Rosh Hashanah in order to sacrifice Isaac, his son. Abraham’s journey was meant to be impeded by Satan producing a river, but Abraham plodded right into the middle of the river, and was dried up after he prayed to G-d.
Jews recite prayers during Taslich/Tashlich, especially this prayer from Micah 7:18-19…“Who is a G-d like You… You shall cast into the depths of the sea all their sins.” This prayer is mainly universal, even though other prayers might be included in a Jewish congregation’s liturgy.
On Rosh Hashana, when I lived in Southern California I was often in Santa Monica (which has a large Jewish community), and watched the Orthodox Rabbis dressed in black suits, with round or tall hats, Jewish men in yarmulkes, and watch Jewish women in their long skirts or flowing dresses and head coverings, reciting prayers at the ocean, as the tide flowed towards them. It was such a poignant and beautiful sight, and would often bring tears to my eyes. You could hear their voices, fervently, yet softly intoning prayers,and watch their bodies bowing from their knees and waists. Their physical motion was like a lovely ballet, set to the background of the beautiful sea with its resounding music and rhythm.
May we all be signed and sealed in The Book of Life for a sweet and a good New Year!
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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
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You know, Tashlich is one thing I have never done during the holidays, but this year, I think it is something I fully need to and intend on doing.
Beautiful post, thank you for writing on this!
By: Chaviva on September 28, 2008
at 10:36 pm
It sounds like a beautiful thing to do. I felt honored to read about it.
Sending you love, Nita
By: red tin heart on September 29, 2008
at 12:19 am
This is a beautiful post on Tashlich. I love all the scenery you chose.
There is a whole social aspect to Tashlich that I don’t believe an outsider will notice. Tashlich often becomes a social gathering. It certainly was were I grew up in Newton, MA. This might be OK, but I had a relative, an Orthodox rabbi, who strongly objected to Tashlich for this reason. Too much socializing and not enough focus on the real reason we are there. But his children showed up to Tashlich anyway (this was in Brooklyn in the 1950s), as it was an important social event in their lives!
Water forms on Rosh Hashanah also remind us of Abraham and his journey on Rosh Hashanah in order to sacrifice Isaac, his son. Abraham’s journey was meant to be impeded by Satan producing a river, but Abraham plodded right into the middle of the river, and was dried up after he prayed to G-d.
Interesting midrash. I’ve never heard this one before.
About feeding the ducks bread…one of the things I’ve learned from blogger Michelle of Rambling Woods is bread is not good for the ducks. My kids like to throw stones, but I don’t care much for that. I can’t think of any good substitute, that will entertain the kids and not be harmful.
By: Leora on September 29, 2008
at 6:41 am
Leora: Thank you!
I’m aware of the social aspect of Tashlich in Brooklyn, as my grandparents were a part of that Jewish community. You could find many from the Jewish community at Prospect Park, praying and casting while overlooking the lake.
I know, feeding the ducks isn’t always good for them. Another substitute for that would be to take very tiny bits of paper with your “sins” on them and cast them, but that isn’t good for the lake or stream, etc., either. They will disintegrate, but not right away.
By: jewwishes on September 29, 2008
at 9:37 am
Thank you, Nita. It is a lovely thing…and beautiful to watch as a group.
By: jewwishes on September 29, 2008
at 9:39 am
Chavi…it is a freeing to participate…and lovely to see others as a group from the Jewish community.
By: jewwishes on September 29, 2008
at 9:41 am
Great post, with lovely photos.
By: ilanadavita on October 1, 2008
at 11:53 pm
Thank you, Ilana-Davita!
By: jewwishes on October 2, 2008
at 8:32 am