New Book Explains Rosh Hashanah Traditions and Laws

A new book, "Halacha Mimkorah, Rosh Hashanah," by Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimmon, aims to clarify the customs and laws surrounding the Jewish New Year. The book addresses common questions, such as why Rosh Hashanah is celebrated over two days, what foods are traditional, and the significance of vows.

Rimmon explains that vows, even those made casually like "I swear," are legally binding in Jewish law and can be annulled through a ritual called "Hatarat Nedarim" performed before Rosh Hashanah, allowing individuals to start the year with a clean slate.

The book also clarifies that the Shofar (ram's horn) is not blown on the first day of Rosh Hashanah if it falls on a Shabbat, as Shabbat itself is considered a protective day. It notes a difference in custom between Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews during the Shofar blowing, with Ashkenazim standing and Sephardim sitting.

Rimmon details the historical reasons for the two-day observance of Rosh Hashanah, stemming from the ancient method of lunar observation for determining the new month, which made it difficult to inform distant communities of the exact date. This practice continues even after the establishment of a fixed calendar and is unique to Rosh Hashanah among Jewish holidays celebrated within Israel.

The book also covers the prohibition of speaking during Shofar blasts and prayers, the permissibility of showering during the holiday according to different Jewish legal traditions, the timing of penitential prayers (Selichot), and the symbolism behind traditional Rosh Hashanah foods like apples, pomegranates, and dates. It also discusses the custom of Tashlikh, where sins are symbolically cast into water, explaining its meaning as a symbol of renewal and the possibility of change, despite some historical opposition to the practice.