Rabbi Asher
Vaknin
Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Judgment, the day of crowning Hashem as King, a day filled with both awe and joy. Our sages teach us that every detail of this holy day is full of depth and meaning. Let us explore five central themes of Rosh Hashanah – the Shofar, Prayer, the Symbolic Foods, the Recitation of Tehillim, and Tashlich – through the lenses of peshat (simple meaning), remez (hint), drash (interpretation), and sod (mystical secret), while weaving in stories and inspiring insights.
Shofar
First, the Shofar. On the level of peshat, the Torah commands, “It shall be a day of sounding the shofar.” The shofar is a simple, unadorned sound – reminding us to return to our essence, our soul, without masks or distractions. Rambam writes that the shofar calls out: “Awake, sleepers, from your slumber, and return in teshuva.”
On the level of remez, the shofar hints at the Binding of Isaac, for the ram was offered in his place. It is an eternal symbol of our loyalty to Hashem.
In drash, the sages say that the shofar confuses the Satan, for he sees our devotion and is silenced.
In sod, the mystical dimension, the breath that passes through the shofar is like the inner breath of the soul, rising up to the Heavenly Throne and arousing great mercy. It is told that when Rabbi Yisrael Salanter would hear the shofar in Elul, he would sometimes faint from awe, for he felt the very cry of the soul within its sound.
Prayer
Second, prayer. On the level of peshat, Rosh Hashanah is a time of prayer – especially the blessings of Kingship, Remembrance, and Shofarot. We declare: “Reign over the entire world in Your glory,” for it is the day of Hashem’s coronation.
As remez, every prayer of Rosh Hashanah is an “Avinu Malkeinu” – blending love with awe.
In drash, the prayers are filled with moving liturgy, especially “Unetaneh Tokef,” describing the opening of the Book of Life and the trembling of judgment.
And in sod, these prayers arouse the higher worlds, raising up the sparks of Malchut and Zichronot. A story is told of a simple Jew in a small Ukrainian village who could not read the prayers. On Rosh Hashanah he stood in shul and simply said: “Father in Heaven, I do not know how to pray, but I love You.” The tzaddik of the town later revealed that it was this sincere prayer that opened the gates of Heaven for the entire congregation.
Apples & Honey
Third, the symbolic foods (simanim). On the level of peshat, we eat apple with honey, pomegranate, dates, and more, as signs for a good and sweet year.
On the level of remez, each fruit carries a message: the pomegranate full of seeds hints at many mitzvot; the date symbolizes the righteous who flourish like a palm tree.
In drash, the foods strengthen our faith that just as we taste sweetness, so Hashem will sweeten the year for us. And in sod, the Arizal taught that each food of Rosh Hashanah channels spiritual abundance and opens gates of blessing. A story is told of a Jew in Tzfat who ate a pomegranate with a broken heart, praying: “Just as this fruit is full of seeds, so may my life be filled with mitzvot.” That year he was uplifted and became a teacher of Torah to many.
Tehillim
Fourth, the recitation of Tehillim. On the level of peshat, Tehillim are the heartfelt prayers of King David, filled with praise, thanks, and pleas.
On Rosh Hashanah, we increase in Tehillim because their simple sincerity raises our prayers.
As remez, Tehillim is an acronym in Hebrew: “Tefillah Yekara Le Kol Yisrael Tamid” – a precious prayer for all Israel always.
In drash, each psalm speaks to a different life situation – joy, sorrow, or hope – and King David embedded the voices of all Jewish souls within them.
On the mystical level, sod, the Arizal revealed that every word of Tehillim repairs the soul and elevates it to higher worlds. It is told of the Baal Shem Tov that when a severe judgment hung over Israel, even the prayers of the angels could not overturn it, until a young child recited Tehillim in innocence, not understanding the words, but speaking from the heart. That prayer ascended directly before Hashem and brought salvation to the people.
Tashlich
Fifth, Tashlich. On the level of peshat, we go to a river or sea and symbolically cast away our sins, expressing our desire to be cleansed and renewed.
On the level of remez, water is always flowing, reminding us to move forward and not remain stuck in the past.
In drash, Tashlich reflects the verse “And You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
On the mystical level, sod, standing by the water draws upon the root of chesed (loving-kindness), arousing mercy above. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev once stood by the river on Rosh Hashanah and cried: “Master of the World, You know Your people are stubborn, yet here they stand, asking forgiveness. Just as the waters never cease to flow, so may Your mercy never cease from Israel.”
Thus, we see that Rosh Hashanah is not only a day of judgment, but also a day of love, renewal, and divine abundance. The Shofar awakens us, prayer connects us to the King, the symbolic foods fill us with hope, Tehillim open the gates of Heaven, and Tashlich symbolizes letting go of the past and beginning anew. May we all merit a good and sweet year, to be written and sealed in the Book of Life, for blessing, health, and peace.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom and Sweet New Year,
Rabbi Asher Vaknin
BJCC Rabbi of the Bukharian Youth
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