Rosh Hashana Preparations
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Rosh Hashana Preparations

Laws and Customs | June 27, 2025

One writes and sends a Pan on behalf of himself and his family. Those within proximity visit the Ohel.

One should remember to prepare: Round Challos, sweet apples, honey, new fruits, pomegranates, Tzimmes, head of a ram or fish, meat, sweet foods and drinks.

On Rosh Hashana, it is customary not to eat any foods that are perceptibly bitter, sour, overly sharp, vinegary, or that contain nuts.

One should ensure that the pages of a newly purchased Machzor aren’t attached to each other (due to being uncut), as it is prohibited to separate them on Rosh Hashana.

One should take a haircut, bathe and cut one’s nails, as necessary.

On Erev Rosh Hashana, one should not donate blood or undergo any procedures or tests involving blood loss. [This does not apply in cases of great need, and certainly not when it is Pikuach Nefesh.]

Prior to every Yom Tov, the Rebbe emphasized that the Yom Tov requirements of the needy be met. (Online donations for Melbourne can be made at http://mjcf.com.au.) Yom Tov is also an especially appropriate time to host guests.

The Chazanim should familiarize themselves in advance with the meaning of all of the Piyuttim and Tefillos – even if they already did so the previous year. Similarly, one should train his children regarding the order of davening beforehand, so as to minimize any distractions during davening.

One writes and sends a Pan on behalf of himself and his family. Those within proximity visit the Ohel.

One should remember to prepare: Round Challos, sweet apples, honey, new fruits, pomegranates, Tzimmes, head of a ram or fish, meat, sweet foods and drinks.

On Rosh Hashana, it is customary not to eat any foods that are perceptibly bitter, sour, overly sharp, vinegary, or that contain nuts.

One should ensure that the pages of a newly purchased Machzor aren’t attached to each other (due to being uncut), as it is prohibited to separate them on Rosh Hashana.

One should take a haircut, bathe and cut one’s nails, as necessary.

On Erev Rosh Hashana, one should not donate blood or undergo any procedures or tests involving blood loss. [This does not apply in cases of great need, and certainly not when it is Pikuach Nefesh.]

Prior to every Yom Tov, the Rebbe emphasized that the Yom Tov requirements of the needy be met. (Online donations for Melbourne can be made at http://mjcf.com.au.) Yom Tov is also an especially appropriate time to host guests.

The Chazanim should familiarize themselves in advance with the meaning of all of the Piyuttim and Tefillos – even if they already did so the previous year. Similarly, one should train his children regarding the order of davening beforehand, so as to minimize any distractions during davening.

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