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YAMIM NORA’IM READING

Rabbi Shalom Rosner Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody

Tashlich on Rosh Hashanah

he earliest recording of Tashlich, 8:1-2). Maharil himself speculates that custom with potentially problematic
performed on the first afternoon the waters recall Abraham’s alacrity meaning. In a detailed study on this
Tof Rosh Hashanah, was by the to bind Isaac, which, according to one custom’s history, Prof. Jacob Lauterbach
early 15th-century German scholar Midrash, included him being neck-deep speculated that this rite stemmed from
Rabbi Ya’akov Molin, the Maharil (Min- in a river that was created by “Satan” to an attempt to pacify certain Satanic
hagei Maharil RH 9). He describes how stymie him. forces and protect children from undue
the masses would walk to rivers and harm. Historians have further pointed
“cast away their sins” by reciting the last While the earliest depictions of Tash- to a medieval ritual with similar themes
th
verses from the prophet Micah, which lich vary, most require using water and rites documented in Rashi’s 11
include, “He will take us back in love; that contains fish. Rabbi Mordechai century Talmudic commentary (Shab-
th
He will cover up our iniquities, You will Jaffe (16 century, Poland) explained bat 81b). Suspicious of Tashlich’s ori-
hurl all our sins into the depths of the that fish, constantly in danger of being gins, the Gra abstained from the entire
caught by fishermen, warn us of the
sea” (7:19). Yet the ritual is undoubtedly ritual (Ma’aseh Rav 202), a position
older, with much speculation about its snares of death and therefore inspire which my family and others of Lith-
repentance (Levush OC 596). Others
origin and meaning. uanian descent continue to maintain
believe that because fish are always alert (see Aruch HaShulchan, Orach Chaim
G-d reveals Himself near water in with their roving eyes, they remind us 583:4).
several Biblical stories, including the of the ever-watchful gaze of G-d (Shlah
vision of the Divine Chariots (Ezekiel RH 23). Alternatively, fish might ward Be that as it may, the ritual clearly con-
1:3) and Daniel’s end-of-days prophe- off the evil eye, and represent the tinues to have widespread observance.
cies (Daniel 10:4). One Midrash even blessing of fecundity (MB 583:8). Here in Jerusalem, the lack of bodies
claims that all prophecies took place Some early sources also allude to the of water has not deterred its citizens
near water (Mechilta Rashbi 12:1). As ritual of throwing bread or other food from flocking to empty ancient wells,
in the story of Creation (Bereishit 1:2), into the water, possibly signifying the artificial ponds, Ir David’s wellspring,
G-d’s presence, so to speak, is said to casting away of our sins. Many Sages, and even kiddie pools in synagogue
hover over water, making it an appro- however, deemed this a violation of the courtyards! Nonetheless, no interpre-
priate place for prayer (Ba’al HaTurim holiday restrictions, especially if Rosh tation of the ritual has been universally
Bereishit 16:7). Indeed, many medieval Hashanah falls on Shabbat when car- embraced. While the famed 16th-cen-
European synagogues were built close rying food and prayer books in unen- tury mystic Rabbi Isaac Luria ordained
to waterfronts. closed public domains is prohibited. shaking out one’s clothing to aid the
extraction of harmful forces, more
The Shulchan Aruch omits any refer-
Great bodies of water connote maj- ence to throwing food or fish (OC 583). rationalist scholars shunned this embel-
esty and glory. Riverfronts are deemed lishment, instead framing Tashlich as
appropriate sites for royal coronations In his lesser-known philosophical work, a mere tool to inspire repentance – to
Rabbi Moshe Isserlis describes how the
since they symbolize the new reign’s mighty waters make us contemplate the stimulate us to genuine introspection
perpetuity (Horayot 12a). Some later grandness of G-d’s creation and His and change.
writers speculated that Tashlich sim- dominance over nature, leading us to
ilarly celebrates G-d’s kingship over repentance and the casting away of sins
the world, a central theme in the Rosh (Torat HaOlah 3:56).
Hashanah prayers (Yabia Omer OC
4:47). Others alternatively contend These creative interpretations notwith- Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody is the author of
A Guide to the Complex: Contemporary
that the ceremony recalls Ezra’s Rosh standing, the diverse and conflicting Halakhic Debates (Maggid) and runs the
Hashanah assembly that rededicated practices and interpretations most “Jewish Law Live” YouTube channel and
the Torah by the water gates (Nehemiah likely reflect emendations of a folk Facebook group.

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