Rosh Hashana Customs and Significance

Study Notes

Rosh Hashana

Hatarat Nedarim: The canceling of all promises and vows. It is important to do Hatarat Nedarim because it is a serious matter to have promises being broken.
Erev Rosh Hashana Customs:
- Arise early and say Selichot.
Rosh Hashana as the Day of Judgement: Rosh Hashana is chosen as the day of judgment because Adam HaRishon sinned and was judged on the same day.
Three Books: On Rosh Hashana, Hashem judges all of mankind and places them into one of three books:
- Tzadikim: The righteous.
- Reshaim: The wicked.
- Beinonim: Those who are neither righteous nor wicked.
Beinoni: A Beinoni is someone who is exactly even. They are neither good nor bad.
Beinoni Judgement: If someone is considered a Beinoni on Rosh Hashana, their judgement is postponed until Aseret Yimei Teshuva and signed on Yom Kippur.
Simana Milta: Symbols are real, meaning they are not just empty gestures but have actual meaning.

Yom Kippur

Kapparot: A custom where we take chicken or money over our heads.
Erev Yom Kippur Mitzvah: It is a mitzvah to eat on Erev Yom Kippur.
Importance of Asking Forgiveness: It is imperative to ask forgiveness from people on Erev Yom Kippur because Hashem only forgives sins between us and people if those people forgave us.
Vidur: During Vidur, we pound our chest in remorse.
Seudat HaMafseket: The final meal on Erev Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur Restrictions: We cannot do the following on Yom Kippur:
- Eating
- Drinking
- Washing
- Applying oils or creams (or anything to the skin)
- Wearing leather shoes
White Clothing: We wear white on Yom Kippur to symbolize purity and cleanliness.
Kol Nidrei: We say the Kol Nidrei tefilla three times, each time a little louder than the last.
Neila: The extra Shmoneh Esrei that we add on Yom Kippur.
Meaning of Neila: "Neila" means "closing". The Neila prayer is the final prayer of Yom Kippur as the Gates of Heaven are believed to be closing.
Reading the Book of Jonah: It is customary to read the Book of Jonah on Yom Kippur because it teaches us that Hashem accepts Teshuva (repentance).

Description

Explore the traditions and importance of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. This quiz covers key topics such as Hatarat Nedarim, customs on Erev Rosh Hashana, and the day of judgment. Dive into the meanings and implications of the three books of judgment and the concept of the Beinoni.