Your Holiday Checklist

by Rabbi Naftali Citron

1. Elul Reading: Select a book about self-improvement. While these books may not be typical reading material, the month of Elul is an essential time for introspection and spiritual growth. For example:
   a. Benei Mahashavah Tova – a guide to conscious community by the Piaseczno Rebbe
   b. Teshuva – Adin Steinsaltz
   c. The Sabbath – Abram Joshua Heschel
   d. Mesilat Yesharim – Rabbi Moshe Luzzato
   e. 60 Days – Rabbi Simon Jacobson
2. Listen to the Shofar. Everyone knows the Shofar is the main event on Rosh Hashanah, but starting on Thursday, August 25th (the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul this year), a one-minute version of Shofar blowing ends the morning service. Of course, it is just a reminder to do Teshuva, while the actual Mitzvah of Shofar blowing takes place on Rosh Hashanah, Tuesday, September 23rd.
3. Attend Selichot Service. While Sephardim recite Selichot the entire month of Elul every year, Ashkenazim begin this year on Saturday night, September 13th. In addition to our amazing Selichot with Yehuda Green, our Shul offers Selichot from Sunday, September 14th, through the following Sunday, September 21st, after our 10:00 p.m. Maariv service.
4. Shopping for Rosh Hashanah
   A. Get your High Holiday seats.
   B. Score an invitation for a Rosh Hashanah meal.
   C. Make your own Rosh Hashanah dinner. The custom for the first night is to include specific foods that signify blessings for the Holiday. While you may have these foods both nights of Rosh Hashanah, most people have all these foods the first night. The custom is to dip the Challah in the honey (not salt) through the end of Sukkot. On the second night of Rosh Hashanah, the custom is to have the new fruits right after eating the Challah. For the appropriate blessings and instructions on how to recite them, please refer to the Artscroll Machzor. Your list should include:
   i. Round Challah and honey (skip the salt)
   ii. Apples dipped in honey
   iii. Fish head
   iv. Carrots
   For extra credit, you can add:
   v. Beets
   vi. Fenugreek
   vii. Leeks
   viii. Gourds
   ix. Dates.
   D. Sign up for dinner at the Carlebach Shul. The Shul will offer carefully curated dinners on the first and second nights of Rosh Hashanah, with the special foods integrated into select recipes, and tell the related stories.
5. While Rosh Hashanah is a spiritual time, we also take care of our bodies so that the soul can celebrate with them.
   Three things you can do to integrate body and soul:
   A. When you go to the river or pond for Tashlich, spend some extra time in solitude with personal reflection.
   B. When walking to Shul, walk with the intention that each step is a movement in sync with being created with a purpose.
   C. Enjoy eating something you love, and while doing so, be aware you are enjoying G-d’s Holiday. For man, that would be a nice brisket; for other people, that would be apples dipped in honey.
6. Tashlich – Join a group to say Tashlich (a prayer by the water’s edge). Please refrain from bringing bread to feed the ducks or fish. Not only is it dangerous for the wildlife, but many authorities find Halakic problems with it. This year, Tashlich is on Tuesday, September 23rd.
7. Hatarat Nedarim – Erev Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur, it is appropriate to convene a Bet Din after morning services to nullify oaths. Women usually use the Kol Nidrei service to undo their vows rather than a Bet Din. Note: Any promise you made to someone still must be kept, since a Bet Din cannot undo it.
8. Shabbat Shuva – The Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur has a special Haftarah and a special sermon from the Rabbi, known as the Shabbat Shuva Drasha.
9. Erev Yom Kippur – on Wednesday, October 1st, 2025, we begin preparing for our most holy day by eating the best foods. Many people have two almost festive meals, one around lunchtime and one in the early evening, that must conclude before the fast begins. Make sure to keep eating and drinking hydrating foods and avoid salt and sugar. Pomegranate juice is great for fasting.
10. Yom Kippur Attire – Dress for Spiritual Success. Wear white for purity or a reminder of the shrouds we will be buried in. Men wear a Kittel (after marriage). Many women wear white. No leather shoes are permitted, but belts are okay. Some people don’t wear excessive jewelry.
11. Yom Kippur Restrictions – Although the fast on Yom Kippur is very serious, it is not more serious than your life. If you have a medical condition or are elderly, pregnant, or nursing, please consult with your doctor and Rabbi about your health. Many times, the mitzvah of taking care of yourself overrides the mitzvah of fasting. Then again, healthy people who just like food should be fasting. In addition to fasting, we don’t bathe or anoint ourselves. We don’t wash ourselves in any way from which we derive pleasure. Removing dirt or germs is okay. In addition, no marital intimacy, and no leather shoes.