TASHLIKH—CAST YOUR SINS INTO THE WATER

This is a tradition that began hundreds of years ago in the medieval period of Jewish history.  On Rosh Hashanah, late in the afternoon, Jewish people gather around a body of water, preferably a stream or river with fish.  Their pockets are filled with hallah or other pieces of bread.  A few prayers are recited including a beautiful verse from the Prophets:  "God will take us back in love and will cover up our iniquities; You will hurl (the Hebrew: vetashlikh, pronounced:  vi-tash-LEEH) all our sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:18).

Of course, we’re very close to the sea, but it’s still a bit too far to walk.  The good news is that we have a body of water closer to the synagogue.  It is Tinker’s Pond in Woodbury, just behind the Integrated Cardio Vascular Therapeutics / Sterling & Sterling Insurance building (43 & 45 Crossways Park West, respectively).

Does the pond have any fish?  This is a good question and I confess, I do not know.  During my few visits there, I found no one fishing.  But it does have many geese.  Many, many geese—and if any living creature is best designed to gobble up our symbolic sins, the goose is uniquely qualified, holding an esteemed position in Jewish literature and having a healthy appetite.

One caveat: tossing sins into our newly designated Tashlikh pond does not bring to a conclusion the work of teshuvah.  We still must examine our deeds, seek forgiveness of others, and pray with all our heart.  But by participating in Tashlikh, we create powerful memories for our children and grandchildren of just how seriously we take the High Holidays.

This year, Tashlikh is scheduled for the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Sunday, September 20, 5:15 PM.  If you drive on the holidays, feel free to drive to the pond.  If you would like to engage in an invigorating walk, we will gather in front of the synagogue for a communal walk, at 4:45 PM.  You may come dressed as you might dress for synagogue, or more casually, but please don’t wear your good shoes.  Click Here for more details.