It is a custom, on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh HaShana (or second, if the first is Shabbat) to go to the shore of the sea, the bank of a river, or other running stream of water, as a symbolic enactment of the words of the prophet Micah: "He God] will cast (tashlikh) into the depths of the sea all their sins" (Micah 7:19)...The first mention of the custom is in Sefer Maharil of Rabbi Jacob Moellin (d. 1425)...Many folk customs have become associated with Tashlikh, among them the custom of throwing crumbs into water as a symbolic gesture to accompany the process of repentance, begun on Rosh HaShana, as if we were "casting away" our sins. This practice was dismissed by some halakhic authorities and ridiculed by gentiles. However, it is less ridiculous than it seems. Maimonides writers about the scapegoat on Yom Kippur over which the High priest confessed the sins of the people and which was then sent out into the wilderness:
"There is no doubt that sins cannot be carried like a burden, and taken off the shoulder of one being and laid on that of another. But these ceremonies are of a symbolic character, and serve to impress people with a certain idea, and to induce them to repent, as if to say: we have freed ourselves of our previous deeds, have cast them behind our backs and removed them from us as far as possible (Guide III:46)."
מהרי׳ל
דרכי משה
Maharil Hilchos Rosh HaShanah
There was a minhag to go on Rosh HaShanah, after the meal, and throw our sins into the sea.
2. What is the reason for Tashlich?
Darchei Moshe
The Maharil writes, There was minhag to go to the river and say [the pasuk of] Tashuv Terachmeinu (Michah 7:19). The reason for this is found in a midrash, (Yalkut 99) [Tashlich] is in remembrance of the time when Avrham passed through the water and it went up to his neck...But [the Sefer Minhagim] adds that we should see live fish. And it is possible that this is for an omen that the evil eye not rule over us, and that we should be fruitful and multiply as fish.
(ח) (ח) הנהר וכו' - ולומר תשוב תרחמנו וגו'. משום דאיתא במדרש שעבר אברהם אבינו עד צוארו במים כשהלך להקריבו ע"ג המזבח ואמר הושיעה כי באו מים עד נפש ואנו עושין זה זכר לעקידה. וטוב למקום שיש בו דגים חיים לסימן שלא תשלוט בנו עין הרע ונפרה ונרבה כדגים. ובכתבים כתב נהר או באר וטוב שיהיה מחוץ לעיר.
Because there is a Midrash that Abraham crossed the river up to his neck when he went to go sacrifice his son Isaac. He then said, (from Psalms 69:2): Save me, O God, for water has come up to my soul. So we do Tashlich as a way of remembering the Akeidah/binding of Isaac. And it is good if it is a place that has living fish as a sign that the evil eye should not fall upon us and we should be able to multiply like fish, as fish are incapable of being affected by the evil eye. And in the writings it says at a river or well, and it is good if it is outside the city.
Throwing bread into the water and reciting the biblical passage mentioning "the deep" is a reminder of the deep out of which the days of creation were formed. Thus, by going to the sea on Rosh Hashanah, we celebrate creation and are led to think of our own place in God's scheme of creation. When we contemplate these matters and repent from our sins, then they are truly thrown away, into the water, and we feel renewed on this Day of Judgement. - Moses Isserles
לבוש
Levush Orach Chaim, 596
It was normal to go to place that had live fish. To remember that we are like these live fish, who are ensnared suddenly in a net. So are we ensnared in the abyss of death and judgement. And in doing so, we will contemplate repentance more.
- Which of these possible meanings behind the custom of tashlich resonate most with you?
- Do you believe our actions have ripple effects beyond their immediate consequences?
- Remember a time in which your actions had consequences that you did not anticipate (either for bad or for good!). How does this realization shape your commitments to action in the coming year?
- What is something that you are proud of?
- and something that you would like to improve upon.
- What is something which you would like to cast away in the coming year?
- What is something you would like to keep?
Feel free to take this time in whatever way is most meaningful for you. We have included the traditional Psalms recited during taschlich, as well as a guided meditation (edited from “Guided Meditation for Tashlich” By Erika Katske). As you walk around and pause by the lake, this meditation will help you consider periods in the past year.
(1) Praise the LORD, for He is good, His steadfast love is eternal. (2) Let Israel declare, “His steadfast love is eternal.” (3) Let the house of Aaron declare, “His steadfast love is eternal.” (4) Let those who fear the LORDdeclare, “His steadfast love is eternal.”(5) In distress I called on the LORD; the Lord answered me and brought me relief.(6) The LORD is on my side, I have no fear; what can man do to me?(7) With the LORD on my side as my helper, I will see the downfall of my foes. (8) It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in mortals;(9) it is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in the great.(10) All nations have beset me; by the name of the LORD I will surely cut them down.(11) They beset me, they surround me; by the name of the LORD I will surely cut them down.(12) They have beset me like bees; they shall be extinguished like burning thorns; by the name of the LORD I will surely cut them down.(13) You pressed me hard, I nearly fell, but the LORD helped me. (14) The LORD is my strength and might; He has become my deliverance.(15) The tents of the victorious resound with joyous shouts of deliverance, “The right hand of the LORD is triumphant!(16) The right hand of the LORD is exalted! The right hand of the LORD is triumphant!”(17) I shall not die but live and proclaim the works of the LORD. (18) The LORD punished me severely, but did not hand me over to death.(19) Open the gates of victory for me that I may enter them and praise the LORD.(20) This is the gateway to the LORD— the victorious shall enter through it.(21) I praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my deliverance.(22) The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.(23) This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our sight. (24) This is the day that the LORD has made— let us exult and rejoice in it.(25) O LORD, deliver us! O LORD, let us prosper!(26) May he who enters be blessed in the name of the LORD; we bless you from the House of the LORD.(27) The LORD is God; He has given us light; bind the festal offering to the horns of the altar with cords.(28) You are my God and I will praise You; You are my God and I will extol You.(29) Praise the LORD for He is good, His steadfast love is eternal.
(1) A song of ascents. Out of the depths I call You, O LORD. (2) O Lord, listen to my cry; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy.(3) If You keep account of sins, O LORD, Lord, who will survive?(4) Yours is the power to forgive so that You may be held in awe.(5) I look to the LORD; I look to Him; I await His word.(6) I am more eager for the Lord than watchmen for the morning, watchmen for the morning.(7) O Israel, wait for the LORD; for with the LORD is steadfast love and great power to redeem.(8) It is He who will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.
Beginning: Take a few deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Start to think back through this past year. Let images enter and exit your mind: small moments, meaningful moments, smells, pictures and faces.
Stop 1: Think back to last Elul: where were you at the last High Holiday cycle? What promises had you made? What goals did you have for the coming year?
Stop 2: Move now into late September and October, the middle of fall, the Hebrew month of Tishrei; the holiday of Sukkot and the time for harvesting. What kinds of benefits did you reap this year? Financial? Educational? Experiential? See if you can recall them now.
Stop 3: Think now about last November, roughly the Hebrew month of Heshvan. Late fall, colder weather. The natural world slowly moving from bountiful to barren as the winter moves in. Think about changes that you made in your life this year. What patterns did you break? What new work did you take on?
Stop 4: Move slowly from November into December, the Hebrew month of Kislev, the month that holds Hanukkah, the holiday of lights and miracles. In what ways did you bring light or goodness into the world this year? What miracles happened in your life this year?
Stop 5: Then think back to last January and February; first, the Hebrew month of Tevet, the conclusion of Hanukkah. Then, the month of Shevat, the month that contains Tu B'Shevat, the festival of the trees, a time for planting. Think about new projects that you started this year, new plans that you made, "seeds" that you planted for your future.
Stop 6: Move from late February into March, the Hebrew month of Adar and the ending of winter. During Adar, we celebrate Purim, a festival of fun and revelry. Think about the joy that came into your life this year. In what ways were you silly? Can you think of moments when you laughed?
Stop 7: From March to April, from Adar to Nisan, the month of spring. The time we celebrate Pesach and think about renewal, rebirth and newfound freedom. What struggles concluded in your life this year? Were there issues or difficulties in your life that you were able to overcome?
Stop 8: Next, think back to last May, the Hebrew month of Iyar. In the secular year, a time for closings and endings. Think about endings that occurred in your life this year. What issues, relationships, situations came to a close during the past 12 months?
Stop 9: Move from May into June and into the month of Sivan, the month that holds the holiday of Shavuot, the holiday that celebrates our receiving of the Torah. Think about learning that you did during the year. What new things did you learn this year, and what effect did they have on you?
Stop 10: From June into July and August; through the Hebrew months of Tammuz and Av; hot and humid weather; slowing of activity and some time for rest; in the Hebrew calendar, these months are a time to think about history and loss. Think about losses in your life this past year. In what ways did you grieve?
Here we begin the New Year, making new promises and setting new goals. Before we do that, take a few moments and deep breaths to remember the journey of the past year. Now, step forward to the water’s edge and as you throw crumbs into the water, symbolically casting away the times we didn’t measure up, imagine your soul being freed of these shortcomings and the path being cleared for a new fresh start.
ערוך השולחן
Aruch HaShulchan Orach Chaim 583:4
...you should be careful that women don't come [to Tashlich], and in a place where women go [to Tashlich], it is better that men not go at all. There are a lot of people who hold that you shouldn't go to tashlich, and their reasons are known to them.
רש׳י
Rashi, Shabbat 81.
The Geonim used to plant a seed fourteen to twenty days before Rosh HaShanah and then on Erev Rosh HaShanah, after it sprouted, they would wave it over their head and recite זה תחת זה and then throw it into the river.