DIY Tashlikh

Byjustin david

Before symbolically casting away your burdens, take some time to think, sing and contemplate. Listen to the sounds around you, take in the colors, the light and the fragrances. This sheet begins with some prompts for meditation. Then we go to singing verses from the Psalms about kindness, the grandeur of creation and awe. After that, we read and meditate on the passage from the Prophet Micah. Feel free to add your own blessings, songs and meditations. Jump around, skip portions - draw on these passages and this moment in whatever way is meaningful to you.

If you would like to say a blessing for the newness of this year: Barukh Ata Adonai, Elohenu Melekh ha-Olam, she'he cheeyanu, v'keey'manu, v'heegeeanu la'zman ha-zeh. Praised are You, Adonai, Creator of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season!

Brief thoughts from the Talmud for our own meditation
Teshuvah, turning from violence, brings redemption to the world.
Teshuvah, turning from apathy, brings Shalom to the world.
Teshuvah, turning toward compassion, brings healing to the world.
In the place where the masters of Teshuvah are found, not even the completely righteous can stand.
Recite verses of Divine Kingship, so that you make Me the Sovereign of the Universe; Recite verses of Remembrance, so that you bring your righteous deeds before Me; And with What? With the Shofar of a ram, which was substituted for Isaac when he bound himself on the altar.

Verses from Psalms to sing

תהילים פ״ט:ג׳

(ג) \ע֭וֹלָם חֶ֣סֶד יִבָּנֶ֑ה

Psalms 89:3

(3) The Universe is establish on Hesed (Compassion).

Olam Hesed Yibaneh

תהילים קי״ח:א׳-ז׳

(א) הוֹד֣וּ לַיהוָ֣ה כִּי־ט֑וֹב כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ (ב) יֹֽאמַר־נָ֥א יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ (ג) יֹֽאמְרוּ־נָ֥א בֵֽית־אַהֲרֹ֑ן כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ (ד) יֹֽאמְרוּ־נָ֭א יִרְאֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃

(ה) מִֽן־הַ֭מֵּצַ֥ר קָרָ֣אתִי יָּ֑הּ עָנָ֖נִי בַמֶּרְחָ֣ב יָֽהּ׃

Psalms 118:1-7

(1) Praise Adonai, for God is good, God's steadfast love is eternal. (2) Let Israel declare, “God's steadfast love is eternal.” (3) Let the house of Aaron declare, “God's steadfast love is eternal.” (4) Let those who are awed before Adonai declare, “God's steadfast love is eternal.”

(5) In distress I called on the LORD; the Lord answered me and brought me relief.

Min ha-metzar karati Yah, anani ba-merchav Yah!

תהילים קי״ח:י״ט-כ׳

(יט) פִּתְחוּ־לִ֥י שַׁעֲרֵי־צֶ֑דֶק אָֽבֹא־בָ֝ם אוֹדֶ֥ה יָֽהּ׃ (כ) זֶֽה־הַשַּׁ֥עַר לַיהוָ֑ה צַ֝דִּיקִ֗ים יָבֹ֥אוּ בֽוֹ׃

Psalms 118:19-20

(19) Open the gates of righteousness for me that I may enter them and praise Adonai. (20) This is the gateway to Adonai— the righteous shall enter through it.

Pitchu li sh'arey tzedek, avo vam, odeh Yah. Zeh ha-sha'ar l'Adonai, tzadikim yavo'u vo.

Take a moment to breathe, consider how it feels to cast away the burdens and pain of the past year. And when you're ready, meditate upon or read the following passage before symbolically casting your burdens away. For the teachers of the Kabbalah, these verses gave expression to the Divine Hesed, the absolute compassion that is the defining feature of God and is the underlying structure of all creation.

מיכה ז׳:י״ח-כ׳

(יח) מִי־אֵ֣ל כָּמ֗וֹךָ נֹשֵׂ֤א עָוֺן֙ וְעֹבֵ֣ר עַל־פֶּ֔שַׁע לִשְׁאֵרִ֖ית נַחֲלָת֑וֹ לֹא־הֶחֱזִ֤יק לָעַד֙ אַפּ֔וֹ כִּֽי־חָפֵ֥ץ חֶ֖סֶד הֽוּא׃ (יט) יָשׁ֣וּב יְרַֽחֲמֵ֔נוּ יִכְבֹּ֖שׁ עֲוֺֽנֹתֵ֑ינוּ וְתַשְׁלִ֛יךְ בִּמְצֻל֥וֹת יָ֖ם כָּל־חַטֹּאותָֽם׃ (כ) תִּתֵּ֤ן אֱמֶת֙ לְיַֽעֲקֹ֔ב חֶ֖סֶד לְאַבְרָהָ֑ם אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתָּ לַאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ מִ֥ימֵי קֶֽדֶם׃

Micah 7:18-20

(18) Who is a God like You, Forgiving iniquity And remitting transgression; Who has not maintained Your wrath forever Against the remnant of You own people, Because You loves graciousness! (19) God will take us back in love; God will cover up our iniquities, You will hurl all our sins Into the depths of the sea. (20) You will keep faith with Jacob, Loyalty to Abraham, As You promised on oath to our ancestors In days gone by.

Cast away your burdens into the flowing water (it's flowing, even if you can't see it!). Just a few crumbs please. In place of crumbs, feel free to throw dirt, sand, or pebbles.
Wishing you a Shanah Tovah u'Metukah - a sweet, healthy and joyous year!