דֶ ר הַ סִֵס ה ת ש פ " הָנ
אֲנִי אֶַו אוָּר קְִי ה טֶ רֶ םָי הְָו אֲ נִ י אֶ שְׁ מָ ע : ַו בְּ רִַד
ימָ נִים לְעֶ רֶ ב ר ֹ א שׁ הַ שָׁ Mealtime Prayers for Rosh Hashanah Eve 5785 / 2024 *
Rabbi Joseph H . Prouser
On Rosh Hashanah Eve , following the Kiddush recited at the Holiday dinner table , and before Ha-Motzi , it is customary to taste a number of symbolic foods -- “ Simanim ” -- each betokening a prayerful aspiration for the new year . Each “ Siman ” is accompanied by a brief blessing or prayer giving expression to those longings . Many of the traditional “ Simanim ” prayers are based on Hebrew or Aramaic word-play related to the food being tasted . Others make the connection between “ Siman ” and blessing in the substance of the prayer itself . On this uniquely fraught Rosh Hashanah , our prayers for the new year and the future beyond are inexorably linked to our experience of the difficult and tragic year that has passed : it is almost exactly one year since October 7 , 2023 . We take prayerful note of the events of October 7 , the casualties of that dark day , and those who were and are being held hostage . We take to heart , as well , the deep and lasting impact these events have had on families and loved ones , on all Israelis , on the worldwide Jewish Community , and on all who care for the State of Israel , for the cause of democracy and freedom , and all who are pained by injustice , terror , and the suffering of innocents . Following are “ Simanim ” and blessings -- traditional and new -- for this Rosh Hashanah . May all those still held hostage soon be returned to their family homes and celebrate once again around their family tables .
* NOTE : It is our fervent prayer that those held hostage by Hamas in Gaza will , by the New Year , be long freed , rendering much of this “ Seder Ha-Simanim ,” prepared in advance for Rosh Hashanah 5785 , outdated and unnecessary .
ֽ מְֶנֱע ה עוֹד הֵ ם ים “ Before they call out in prayer , I will answer ; While they are still speaking , I will respond .” ( Isaiah 65:24 )
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