Rosh Ha'Shana and Yom Kippur Customs

Rosh Ha'Shana

• Hatarat Nedarim is the canceling of all promises and vows
• People do Hatarat Nedarim before Rosh Ha'Shana to avoid breaking serious promises
• A common custom on Erev Rosh Ha'Shana is to arise early and say selichot
• Rosh Ha'Shana is chosen as the day of judgement because Adam Ha'Rishon sinned and was judged on the same day
• The 3 books that Hashem judges in are Tzaddikim, Beinonim, Reshaim
• A Beinoni is someone whose scale is exactly even
• If someone is considered a Beinoni on Rosh Ha'Shana, his judgement is postponed till Aseret Yimei Teshuva and signed on Yom Kippur
• The term "Simana Milta" means "Symbols are real"
• We eat apples or challah in honey on Rosh Ha'Shana because it's symbolic of a sweet new year

Yom Kippur

• Kapparot is a custom when we take chicken or money over our heads
• The mitzvah on Erev YK is to eat
• It's important to ask forgiveness from people on Erev YK because Hashem only forgives sins between individuals if those people forgave us
• When saying Vidui we pound our chest
• The final meal on Erev YK is called Seudat HaMafseket
• Four things we cannot do on YK are: eating, drinking, washing, anointing oils or creams, and wearing leather shoes
• We wear white on YK because it symbolizes purity and cleanliness
• Kol Nidrei is a tefilla that is said three times, each time a little louder
• The extra Shmone Esrei we add on YK is called Neila
• The praise we say out loud that we never say out loud the rest of the year is Baruch Shem Kvod Malchuto LiOlam VaEd
• The word Neila means "Closing"
• We read the book of Yona on YK, because it teaches us that Hashem accepts Teshuva

Rosh Hashanah

• Hatarat Nedarim is the canceling of all vows and promises
• People perform Hatarat Nedarim before Rosh Hashanah to ensure promises are kept
• Selichot are recited before Rosh Hashanah
• Rosh Hashanah is the day of judgement because Adam Ha'Rishon was judged on the same day
• The 3 books are Tzaddikim, Beinonim, Reshaim
• A Beinoni is someone who is neither righteous nor wicked
• A Beinoni's judgement is postponed until Aseret Yimei Teshuva and sealed on Yom Kippur
• Simana Milta means symbols are real
• Apples or challah in honey represents a desire for a sweet year

Yom Kippur

• On Erev Yom Kippur, people perform the custom of Kapparot by taking a chicken or money over their heads
• The mitzvah on Erev Yom Kippur is to eat
• It is important to ask forgiveness from people on Erev Yom Kippur because Hashem only forgives sins between people if those people forgive us
• People pound their chest when saying Vidui
• The final meal on Erev Yom Kippur is called Seudat HaMafseket
• On Yom Kippur, people cannot eat, drink, wash, anoint, or wear leather shoes
• White clothing symbolizes purity and cleanliness
• Kol Nidrei is a prayer recited three times, each time a little louder
• The extra Shmone Esrei recited on Yom Kippur is called Neila
• Baruch Shem Kvod Malchuto LiOlam VaEd is recited out loud on Yom Kippur
• Neila means closing
• The book of Yona is read on Yom Kippur because it demonstrates that Hashem accepts repentance

Test your knowledge about the significant traditions of Rosh Ha'Shana and Yom Kippur. This quiz covers important customs, meanings, and practices associated with these Jewish high holidays, including Hatarat Nedarim and Kapparot. Explore how these observances shape the spiritual landscape of the new year.