Rosh Hashana Archives

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, ויברך על טלית 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 it…

אם מישהו עדיין לא עשה התרת נדרים, האם יש ענין לעשות את זה עכשיו

.כדאי Sources: אף שנהגו בער״ה - ובמט״א תקפא סמ״ט מהשל״ה מס׳ יומא לעשות בכל עשי״ת - מ״מ פשוט שנכון תמיד. ובפרט בחודש התשובה. והרי יש שנהגו ארבעים יום קודם ר״ה.…

האם אפשר לעשות התרת נדרים אם אחד מהשלש דיינים הוא לא דתי? מדובר במקרה על שליחות

נחלקו הפוסקים אם הפסולים מחמת עבירה כשרים להתרת נדרים. וכמובן, שבמקום שאי אפשר באופן אחר, ועושים כן מחמת המנהג ולא בכדי לעבור על נדרו ח״ו, אפשר להקל בלית ברירה …

I did Kaporos yesterday. I want to know if there is an Inyan at all of doing it again by Ashmores Haboker?

In my specific situation, a Jew will for sure not eat since the only person who is available doesn't have Hoda’ah (even though he learned and Shechted many chickens kosher,…

I will be traveling when Kaporos places are open. Aside from using money, can my parents purchase a chicken for me if I’m not present?

Yes. They should say "זה חליפת (your name) זה תמורת ... זה כפרת ... זה התרנגול ילך "למיתה ו... ילך לחיים טובים ולשלום. Sources: מובא בפסקי תשובות בשם שו"ת…

We don’t have any chickens. How do we do Kaporos with money or fish?

You do with money the same you would with a chicken, just instead of saying "ze hatarnegol yeleich l'misa" you say "eilu hamo'ois teilachna litzdoko" ("אלו המעות תלכנה לצדקה"). Of…

We only have a hen available for Kaporos this year. Should a man use a hen in this case or better do it with fish or money?

Being that no other chickens are available, the men should prefer the use of a hen over money or fish. If wanted, you can in addition do it on money…

Is it OK at the outset to do Tashlich at night?

Yes. Nonetheless, it is preferable to do it by day. Also, by day is an Eis Ratzon, an opportune time for this Tefillah. Sources: להעיר שאין מזכירין יגמה״ר בלילה.…

Are we just as Makpid to eat sharp foods until Hoshana Rabbah as we were on Rosh Hashanah itself? Can I use lemon in my food if it’s not strong tasting?

There are those who are careful not to eat sour or bitter foods until after Hoshana Rabbah or Simchas Torah. I am aware that the Rebbe had Chrein on…

Is eating pecans on RH included in Egozim which aren’t to be eaten?

Continued: If not: 1. Does it make a difference if it's mixed in salad and/or coated in something else? 2. Does it make a difference if it's after Davening so…

Can I use a drop of rice vinegar on Rosh Hashana in a recipe, if it’s taste will not be detected? It will be mixed in with other sweet foods and the food itself containing the vinegar will be sweet.

It is OK to add some vinegar to a dressing if its taste won’t be detectable. Sources: שו״ת רבבות אפרים חלק ו’ סימן ש”ח. פסקי תשובות סי' תקפג הע'…

If I learn/familiarize myself beforehand with Hataras Nedarim in the language I understand, can I say it in Loshon Hakodesh with the Minyan or do I still need to say it in the language I understand?

If you familiarize yourself with its concept and its meaning then you can say it in Loshon Hakodesh. Sources: פשוט שעיקר הענין שיהא פיו ולבו שוין - ראה…

My son is becoming Bar Mitzvah in Aseres Yemei Teshuva. Does he have to do Hataras Nedarim, and if yes, when? Does he need 10 people there or is 3 enough?

The Minhag is that boys under Bar Mitzvah don not say Hataras Nedarim, even if they will become Bar Mitzvah within the year. Nonetheless, since his Bar Mitzvah is before…