What Prayers Can I Say On Rosh Hashanah?
On Rosh Hashanah, while the Torah doesn't prescribe specific prayers, Jewish tradition has developed a rich liturgy over the centuries. These prayers focus on themes of God's sovereignty, judgment, remembrance, and the desire for forgiveness. Many of these prayers are found in the Machzor (holiday prayer book), and they emphasize repentance, the blowing of the shofar, and the renewal of the covenant between God and His people.
Here’s a summary of the most important prayers and themes for Rosh Hashanah, along with relevant Bible verses that inspire them:
1. The Shofar Service (Malchuyot, Zichronot, and Shofarot)
The shofar is central to Rosh Hashanah prayers. The Musaf (additional) prayer service on Rosh Hashanah includes three key sections: Malchuyot (Kingship), Zichronot (Remembrances), and Shofarot (Trumpet Blasts). Each section includes relevant Bible verses and focuses on different themes.
a) Malchuyot (Kingship)
This section acknowledges God’s sovereignty over all creation and declares His kingship.
- Bible Verses:
"The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all." (Psalm 103:19)
"The LORD shall reign for ever and ever." (Exodus 15:18)
b) Zichronot (Remembrances)
In this section, God is asked to remember His covenant with Israel and show mercy. It reflects on God’s faithfulness and His remembrance of His people in the past.
- Bible Verses:
"And God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob." (Exodus 2:24)
"I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and also My covenant with Isaac, and also My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land." (Leviticus 26:42)
c) Shofarot (Trumpet Blasts)
This section highlights the significance of the shofar, from its role at Mount Sinai to its future role in the coming of the Messianic Age. The shofar symbolizes the call to repentance and the ultimate redemption.
- Bible Verses:
"And it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the shofar exceedingly loud." (Exodus 19:16)
"And the LORD shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth as the lightning; and the Lord GOD shall blow the shofar." (Zechariah 9:14)
2. The Amidah (Standing Prayer)
The Amidah is recited multiple times throughout the day. On Rosh Hashanah, the Amidah includes special additions that reflect the themes of the holiday.
- Zochreinu L’Chaim (Remember Us for Life): A request for God to remember us and inscribe us in the Book of Life.
- Mi Kamocha (Who Is Like You?): This part praises God’s majesty and mercy.
- Unetaneh Tokef: A powerful prayer describing the judgment process that takes place on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, with the famous lines:
"On Rosh Hashanah it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed, who shall live and who shall die..."
This prayer is deeply reflective of God’s role as judge and the fragility of life.
3. Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father, Our King)
This is one of the most famous and beloved prayers of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In it, the community asks God for mercy, forgiveness, and blessings. It emphasizes God’s dual roles as both a loving Father and a sovereign King.
- Bible Verses:
"Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us?" (Malachi 2:10)
"For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God." (Deuteronomy 10:17)
4. Aleinu (It Is Our Duty)
Aleinu is a prayer recited at the conclusion of every service, but it holds special significance on Rosh Hashanah as it speaks of the eventual recognition of God’s sovereignty over all nations.
- Bible Verses:
"And the LORD shall be king over all the earth; on that day the LORD shall be one and His name one." (Zechariah 14:9)
5. Tashlich (Casting Off Sins)
Tashlich is a symbolic ritual performed on the first afternoon of Rosh Hashanah (unless it falls on Shabbat, in which case it’s done on the second day). In this ceremony, people gather by a body of water and symbolically cast off their sins by throwing pieces of bread or pebbles into the water, based on a passage from Micah:
- Bible Verses:
"He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19)
6. Psalm 47
Before the shofar is blown, Psalm 47 is recited, which speaks of God’s kingship and includes references to the shofar.
- Bible Verses:
"God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet." (Psalm 47:5)
Conclusion
While the Torah itself doesn't mandate specific prayers for Rosh Hashanah, Jewish tradition has developed a comprehensive liturgy filled with prayers that align with the biblical themes of God's kingship, remembrance, repentance, and judgment. The central biblical verses related to Rosh Hashanah emphasize the blowing of the shofar and God's role as judge, creator, and redeemer.
These prayers reflect the themes of the Torah's descriptions of Yom Teruah (Leviticus 23:24-25, Numbers 29:1), and they incorporate Bible verses such as Micah 7:19, Exodus 19:16, and Psalm 47:5 to highlight the deep connection between this sacred day and God's relationship with His people.