A Practical Guide to Rosh HaShanah

Here are three important practical points to keep in mind this Rosh HaShanah, which will elevate you on this important holiday. Since Rosh HaShanah is like a blueprint for the year to come, these simple practices will help ensure a good year to come.

THINK ONLY GOOD THOUGHTS Since Rosh HaShanah is the "head" of the year, we should set the stage and think only good thoughts, since positive thinking can help shape our year for the good. According to Rebbe Nachman, we need to be wise and think only good thoughts that God will be good to us.

SPEAK AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE What we talk about on Rosh HaShanah deeply inluences the year to come. On the first day of Rosh HaShanah, one should greatly minimize their speech, some even have the custom of "fasting" from speech completely. "The greater the person, the more meticulous they must be about speaking unnecessarily."

GIVE A PIDYON What is a Pidyon?

On the day before Rosh HaShanah, it is customary to give a pidyon (monetary redemption to a Tzaddik). The Tzaddik conducts a spiritual "transaction" and after the pidyon is presented before the Heavenly Court, the money is distributed as tzedaka. This practice helps to sweeten harsh judgments. Along with the pidyon, the person's Hebrew name followed by their mother's Hebrew name are given. Family member names can also be added in the same format: Hebrew name ben/bat mother's Hebrew name.