Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of the creation of our world — a time to return to who we are at our best. Tradition speaks of three threads woven through the day: Malchuyot (Sovereignty) — choosing a life aligned with purpose; Zichronot (Remembrances) — honoring the stories that shape us and the legacy we create; and Shofarot (Awakenings) — the call to begin again.
At the festive meal, many communities taste simanim, symbolic foods whose names echo blessings for the year. With each taste we speak a hope and kindle a practice: to pursue peace, multiply kindness, uproot harm, proclaim the good, and lead with dignity. Use the texts aloud, or simply read and reflect together.
Translation Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has sanctified us with commandments and commanded us to kindle the light of the Festival. |
Transliteration Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Yom Tov. |
Hebrew בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב. |
Translation Wine: Blessed are You... who creates the fruit of the vine. Sanctification: Blessed are You... who chose us and lovingly gave us Sabbaths for rest and Festivals for joy... this Day of Remembrance, a holy convocation, a memorial of the Exodus from Egypt. For You have chosen us and sanctified us... Blessed are You, Eternal, who sanctifies Israel and the seasons. |
Transliteration Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ri hagafen. Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher bachar banu mikol am v’rom’manu mikol lashon, v’kideshanu b’mitzvotav. Vatitén lanu Adonai Eloheinu b’ahavah Shabbatot lim’nuchah v’mo’adim l’simchah, chagim u-zmanim l’sason, et yom haZikaron hazeh, mikra kodesh, zecher litziat Mitzrayim. Ki vanu vacharta v’otanu kidashta mikol ha’amim. U’mo’adei kodshecha b’simchah u’v’sason hinchaltanu. Baruch Atah Adonai, mekadeish Yisrael v’ha-zmanim. |
Hebrew הַגָּפֶן: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן. מְקַדֵּשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהַזְּמַנִּים: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בָּנוּ מִכָּל עָם וְרוֹמְמָנוּ מִכָּל לָשׁוֹן, וְקִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו. וַתִּתֶּן לָנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּאַהֲבָה שַׁבָּתוֹת לִמְנוּחָה, וּמוֹעֲדִים לְשִׂמְחָה, חַגִּים וּזְמַנִּים לְשָׂשׂוֹן, אֶת יוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן הַזֶּה, מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ, זֵכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם. כִּי בָנוּ בָחַרְתָּ וְאוֹתָנוּ קִדַּשְׁתָּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים. וּמוֹעֲדֵי קָדְשֶׁךָ בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְשָׂשׂוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּנוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְקַדֵּשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהַזְּמַנִּים. |
Translation Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season. |
Transliteration Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higianu lazman hazeh. |
Hebrew בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה. |
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Translation
May it be Your will, Eternal our God and God of our ancestors, that our enemies, our haters, and all who seek our harm come to an end.
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Transliteration
Yehi ratzón Adonai Elohéinu ve-Elohé avotéinu sheyitámu oyvéinu v’son’éinu v’khol m’vakshei ra’atéinu.
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Hebrew
יְהִי רָצוֹן ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁיִתַּמּוּ אוֹיְבֵינוּ וְשׂוֹנְאֵינוּ וְכָל מְבַקְשֵׁי רָעָתֵנוּ.
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Translation
May it be Your will… that our merits increase and be as abundant as the seeds of the pomegranate.
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Transliteration
Yehi ratzón Adonai Elohéinu ve-Elohé avotéinu she-nirbéh z’khuyót ka-rimón.
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Hebrew
יְהִי רָצוֹן ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁנִּרְבֶּה זְכֻיּוֹת כָּרִמּוֹן.
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Translation
May it be Your will to renew for us a good and sweet year.
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Transliteration
Yehi ratzón Adonai Elohéinu ve-Elohé avotéinu she-t’chadésh aléinu shanah továh u-metukáh.
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Hebrew
יְהִי רָצוֹן ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁתְּחַדֵּשׁ עָלֵינוּ שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה.
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Translation
May it be Your will… that those who oppose us be cut off.
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Transliteration
Yehi ratzón Adonai Elohéinu ve-Elohé avotéinu she-yikartú oyvénu.
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Hebrew
יְהִי רָצוֹן ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁיִּכָּרְתוּ אוֹיְבֵינוּ.
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Translation
May it be Your will… that our adversaries depart from us.
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Transliteration
Yehi ratzón Adonai Elohéinu ve-Elohé avotéinu she-yistalkú oyvénu.
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Hebrew
יְהִי רָצוֹן ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁיִסְתַּלְּקוּ אוֹיְבֵינוּ.
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Translation
May it be Your will… that our merits increase.
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Transliteration
Yehi ratzón Adonai Elohéinu ve-Elohé avotéinu she-yirbú z’khuyotéinu.
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Hebrew
יְהִי רָצוֹן ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁיִרְבּוּ זְכֻיּוֹתֵינוּ.
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Translation
May it be Your will… that the harshness of our decrees be torn up, and that our merits be proclaimed before You.
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Transliteration
Yehi ratzón Adonai Elohéinu ve-Elohé avotéinu she-tikrá ro’a g’zar dinéinu v’yikar’éu l’fanécha z’khuyotéinu.
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Hebrew
יְהִי רָצוֹן ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁתִּקְרַע רוֹעַ גְּזַר דִּינֵנוּ וְיִקָּרְאוּ לְפָנֶיךָ זְכֻיּוֹתֵינוּ.
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Translation
May it be Your will… that we be as the head and not the tail.
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Transliteration
Yehi ratzón Adonai Elohéinu ve-Elohé avotéinu she-nihyéh l’rosh v’lo l’zanáv.
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Hebrew
יְהִי רָצוֹן ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁנִּהְיֶה לְרֹאשׁ וְלֹא לְזָנָב.
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Together, we have tasted the symbols of renewal: sweetness, abundance, peace, and blessing. May we carry into the year the courage to cut away what harms, the wisdom to grow what is good, the compassion to lift others, and the gratitude to savor each moment.
This year, may our prayers rise especially for peace in Israel and throughout the world — that all who dwell in this land, and all people everywhere, may know safety, healing, and hope.
Shanah Tovah U’Metukah — a good and sweet year for us, for Israel, and for all humanity.