Pathways to Prayer: Rosh Hashana Day 1 Torah Reading

The baraita continues: On Rosh HaShana they read the portion of “On the seventh month on the first of the month” (Numbers 29:1–6) and they read as the haftara “Is Ephraim My dear son?” (Jeremiah 31:1–20), as it contains the verse: “I earnestly remember him still,” which recalls God’s love for His people. And some say that they read “And the Lord visited Sarah” (Genesis 21), which describes how God blessed her that she should have a child, and, according to tradition, God blessed her on Rosh HaShana. And they read as the haftara from the account of Hannah (I Samuel 1:1–2:10), who, according to tradition, was also blessed on Rosh HaShana that she should have a child.

On Rosh Hashana, Sara, Rachel and Chana were remembered (by God, in terms of having children).

(18) Jacob loved Rachel; so he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”

(5) but to Hannah he would give one portion only—though^-b Hannah was his favorite—for the LORD had closed her womb.

(31) Seeing that Leah was unloved, ה' opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

(8) And Rachel said, “A fateful contest I waged with my sister; yes, and I have prevailed.” So she named him Naphtali.

(6) Moreover, her rival, to make her miserable, would taunt her that the LORD had closed her womb. (7) This happened^-c year after year: Every time she went up to the House of the LORD, the other would taunt her, so that she wept and would not eat.

(1) When Rachel saw that she had borne Jacob no children, she became envious of her sister; and Rachel said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die.” (2) Jacob was incensed at Rachel, and said, “Can I take the place of God, who has denied you fruit of the womb?” (3) She said, “Here is my maid Bilhah. Consort with her, that she may bear on my knees and that through her I too may have children.” (4) So she gave him her maid Bilhah as concubine, and Jacob cohabited with her. (5) Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. (6) And Rachel said, “God has vindicated me; indeed, [God] has heeded my plea and given me a son.” Therefore she named him Dan. (7) Rachel’s maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. (8) And Rachel said, “A fateful contest I waged with my sister; yes, and I have prevailed.” So she named him Naphtali. (9) When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing children, she took her maid Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as concubine. (10) And when Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son, (11) Leah said, “What luck!” So she named him Gad. (12) When Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son, (13) Leah declared, “What fortune!” meaning, “Women will deem me fortunate.” So she named him Asher. (14) Once, at the time of the wheat harvest, Reuben came upon some mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” (15) But she said to her, “Was it not enough for you to take away my husband, that you would also take my son’s mandrakes?” Rachel replied, “I promise, he shall lie with you tonight, in return for your son’s mandrakes.” (16) When Jacob came home from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You are to sleep with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” And he lay with her that night.

באשר הוא שם WHERE HE IS — According to the actions he is now doing shall he be judged and not according to what he may do in future. Because the ministering angels laid information against him, saying, “Master of the Universe, for him whose descendants will at one time kill your children with thirst will You provide a well?” He asked them, “What is he now, righteous or wicked?” They replied to him, “Righteous.” He said to them, “According to his present deeds will I judge him.” This is the meaning of what is written: “[For God hath heard the voice of the lad ] באשר הוא שם in that condition in which he now is” (Genesis Rabbah 53:14).

(24) Our God and God of our fathers, may there ascend, come, and reach, appear, be desired, and heard, counted and recalled our remembrance and reckoning; the remembrance of our fathers; the remembrance of the Messiah the son of Dovid, Your servant; the remembrance of Yerushalayim, city of Your Sanctuary and the remembrance of Your entire people, the House of Yisrael, before You for survival, for well-being, for favor, kindliness, compassion, for life and peace on this day of Remembrance. Remember us Adonoy, our God on this day for well-being; be mindful of us on this day for blessing, and deliver us for life. In accord with the promise of deliverance and compassion, spare us and favor us, have compassion on us and deliver us; for to You our eyes are directed because You are the Almighty, Who is King, Gracious and Merciful.