Rosh Hashana Archives

If the Chazan said Ha’e-l HaKodsh (and didn’t correct himself toch kedei dibur), does he have to restart Chazoras HaShatz?

Yes. כמפורש ברמב״ם תפלה י, יג שחוזר לראש אחד יחיד ואחד ציבור. וכ״כ ברא״ש ברכות א, טז, ובשו״ת הרשב״א א, לה. וכן הביא בלקט יושר ע׳ כא, שהורה…

Is there a need to actually see the fish by Tashlich?

Yes. ד"מ או"ח סתקפ"ג סק"ב בשם מנהגים. והוא במנהגים למהר״א טירנא, שרואים דגים חיים. לבוש תקצו, כ שרגילים לילך למקום שרואים שם דגים, והוסיף טעם מדילי׳ עיי״ש. התוועדויות…

Should women be kneeling during Aleinu on Rosh Hashana/Yom Kippur?

Women should not kneel. כמו בביהמ״ק שנשים לא כרעו, דאשה בעזרה מנין, וגם שבעזרת נשים ל״ש השתחוואה, ראה רשימות שיעורים ברכות כא, א ע׳ רפח בהערה. הררי קדם…

מכתב הבד”צ, ז”ך אלול ה’תש”פ – פרטי דינים להמתפללים ביחידות בראש השנה

מכתב כז אלול קורונה

Is it permitted for children to blow and play with the toy Shofar (whistle) on Rosh Hashana?

A child may only blow a real Shofar (obviously not on the first day of Rosh Hashana this year which is Shabbos). ראה שו"ע אדה"ז תקצו, סוס"ב. וראה גם…

If davening alone without a minyan on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur does one say all the Piyutim or does it apply only when davening with a minyan?

For someone who davens without a minyan, there is no obligation to say Piyutim, but it is certainly appropriate to do so. This may not be done during one’s…

This year, with the coming of Moshiach, will we blow shofer on Shabbos? and will there be two days?

Yes, Shofar will be blown in the Beis Hamikdash Hashlishi (in Yavneh) or in any place with a Sanhedrin. From some sources it seems that it will be blown…

Should I remove the sticker on my new Shofar?

Is there any Inyan to remove these stickers before using them for the Mitzvah on Rosh Hashanah? Is there a concern of damaging the Shofar by removing it? …

Is a Shofar that has been used by a non Jew during his prayer ceremonies Kosher to use on Rosh Hashana?

My father received a shofar from a non Jewish friend of his. The shofar had been used by this man during his prayer ceremonies with his congregation. Is the…

Covid & Shofar blowing

I see many articles about Covid & Shofar blowing, many people are suggesting to put a mask over the end of the Shofar. From what I understand from the…

When is the last time to say Selichos?

Initially, Selichos is to be recited early in the morning (In a written reply to Rabbi SZ Gurary OBM, the Rebbe decried the practice of those who “recite selichos…

If you do not have a Minyan on Rosh Hashana what should you do regarding Shofar blowing in Musaf and after Musaf?

No Shofar is blown in this case during Musaf. שוע"ר תקצב ז. However, after davening, it is proper to blow 70 sounds in order to hear a total of…

Can one eat pickles on Rosh Hashana?

We avoid eating on Rosh Hashana foods that were cooked in vinegar or has an overall vinegar taste. This would include most pickles as they are pickled in vinegar.…

Any problem with using sugar or date syrup instead of honey to dip the Challah?

If honey isn’t possible, sugar may be used. ראה יפ״ל ג, תקפג, א. מל״ח יב, טז. בא״ח נצבים ש״א ד. שו״ת תורה לשמה תק. כה״ח תקפג, ד. שם…

Can garlic cloves be used in a salad dressing or dip on Rosh Hashana?

Garlic may be eaten on Rosh Hashana. ראה כלבו סד. ד״מ תקפג, א. תשב״ץ קיח. א״ר תקפג. קצה המטה שם יז. כה״ח שם כו. #5673

האם בחור הניגש לעמוד כש”ץ לסליחות צריך להתעטף בטלית גדול?

צריך להתעטף. (עדיף שיעטף גם את ראשו, ויתעטף בטלית הקהל כדי שלא יצטרך לברך). ראה בירורי מנהגים (פרידמן) מועדים עמודים 106-107. #5657

Which nuts ARE permitted on Rosh Hashana? Walnuts, pecans? Are seeds permitted? Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds?

In general, all nuts are avoided on Rosh Hashana. Seeds are not included. See also here: https://asktherav.com/nuts-on-rosh-hashana/ #5659

When is a chip or flaw in a Shofar a problem. My Shofar is slightly chipped near the mouthpiece. Is this a problem for the Mitzvah on Rosh Hashana? Or does something this minor not count as a chip?

If it is not a hole or crack all the way through, it is Kosher. שוע"ר תקפו, יד. #5577

Being that it is difficult to understand Selichos in its original form, would it be better to read all or part of it in English or in a language which is easier understood? Would there be any difference between fast days and the Selichos before Rosh Hashana?

Slichos (both of before Rosh Hashana and of a Taanis) is like any other part of Davening which one should understand what he is saying. It is preferred that…

Sometimes by Shluchim on Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur when Chazoras Hashatz is really long, they tell the Chazzan to read it quietly while he gives a speech, and the Chazzan just says the end of the Brachah aloud. It that considered a Brachah Levatalah?

In Chazars Hashatz of (Shachris and Mussaf of) Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur there are two parts, the Tefilah and the Piyutim/Slichos. During the Tefilah, the Chazzan must say…