tashlikh

What does it means?

Tashkikh means "casting off". It is a traditional Jewish custom, which arose during the Middle Ages, usually performed on the first day of Rosh ha-Shanah (Jewish new year).

The Tashlikh custom was derived from the Old Testament and can be found in The Book Of Micah 7:19-

" יָשׁוּב יְרַחֲמֵנוּ, יִכְבֹּשׁ עֲו‍ֹנֹתֵינוּ; וְתַשְׁלִיךְ בִּמְצֻלוֹת יָם, כָּל חַטֹּאותָם."

" He will again have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

The ceremony

During the ceremony, we walk to flowing water, such as sea or river, on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh ha-Shanah ,and empty our pockets into the river, symbolically casting off our sins. In Jewish tradition, it is believed that whatever is flung "into the deep," or into a body of water, is lost forever.

We throw small pieces of bread into the water to symbolize the sins of the past year being shed from us, so that we can enter the new year pure and unburdened by past mistakes

This practice is not mentioned in either the Bible or the Talmud, and its origins are believed to go back to antiquity. The earliest reference to it is preserved in a passage from Rashi's commentary to the Babylonian Talmud.

This year, don't forget to cast off all your sins...

Main phrases of the post + transcription + translation

Hebrew        Transcription    Translation
תַּשְׁלִיךְ          tašlîk                Prayer recited on Rosh-Hashana
רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה    Rō'š hašānāh   Rosh-Hashana
לֶחֶם             lehem               Bread
מְצוּלָה           metsûlāh          Deep water
יָם                 yām                Sea

 Eli@eteachergroup.com