29 Elul, Erev Rosh Hashanah, 5785
MONDAY
After davening, say Hataras Nedarim before ten people (or at least before three).
The shofar is not blown today. If you need to practice for Rosh Hashanah, do so in a closed room.
It is customary to visit kivrei tzaddikim today. It is customary to write a pa”n and send it to the Ohel; those who are able, should visit the Ohel in person.
Take a haircut and immerse in the mikvah in honor of Yom Tov.
“Typically, a person preparing for judgment gets dressed in black, because he does not know what the outcome will be. We, however, do not do so: we put on our finery and eat and rejoice on Rosh Hashanah, because we know Hashem will perform a miracle [and judge us compassionately].” (Midrash, quoted in Tur §581)
The Rebbe Rashab would accept a new hiddur each year before Rosh Hashanah. (Sefer Haminhagim, p. 56)
Give tzedakah today for the two days of Rosh Hashanah.
Beginning from one hour before Minchah, use every spare moment to say Tehillim.
Today’s Minchah, the last tefillah of the year, should be said with extra concentration.
Before Yom Tov light a long-burning candle, from which the Yom Tov candles can be lit tomorrow night.
Ideally, women and girls should light candles before shekiah. Two berachos are said: Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom Hazikaron and Shehecheyanu.
A man lighting candles should not make the berachah of Shehecheyanu when lighting, as he will say this berachah later when making Kiddush.
Throughout the two days of Rosh Hashanah, use every spare moment to say Tehillim.
The energy for the entire year is included within Rosh Hashanah. This is one of the reasons we are directed to view every hour and minute during these two days as being especially precious. They can influence the entire year, just as the head directs the body. (Igros Kodesh vol. 3, p. 468)
On Rosh Hashanah, avoid mundane speech as much as possible.
The Frierdiker Rebbe writes that even those who smoke on Yom Tov should not do so on Rosh Hashanah.
MONDAY NIGHT
Before Maariv we say Tehillim. The Rebbe would enter 770 and everyone would begin saying Tehillim together for at least ten minutes, until the Rebbe would signal to start singing Avinu Malkeinu.
During Shemoneh Esrei (tonight and throughout the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah), we add Zachreinu lechaim, Mi chamocha, Uchsov lechaim tovim, and Uvesefer chaim, and we replace Hakel hakadosh with Hamelech hakadosh, and Oseh shalom with Oseh hashalom. See below, “Hosafos,” for the halachos that apply if any of these sections were omitted/not replaced.
After Maariv, we wish each other Leshanah tovah tikaseiv veseichaseim (to a man) or Leshanah tovah tikaseivi veseichaseimi (to a woman).
Rosh Hashanah Meal
Say the nusach of Kiddush for Rosh Hashanah. After Kiddush, wash and make lechem mishneh, dipping the challah into honey. The challah is dipped into honey at the rest of the Rosh Hashanah meals as well.
After eating a piece of challah, eat a piece of apple dipped into honey. First say Borei Peri Ha’eitz, then say the Yehi Ratzon, and then eat the apple.
It is customary to eat pomegranates, the head of a (ram or) fish, and carrots. However, do not say a Yehi Ratzon when eating them. It is preferable to eat the pomegranates immediately after the apples.
Avoid eating foods with a bitter or sharp taste on Rosh Hashanah. Additionally, avoid eating nuts.
When bentching, add Yaaleh Viyavo, inserting the words beyom hazikaron hazeh, beyom tov mikra kodesh hazeh. Additionally, say the Harachaman for Yom Tov, followed by the Harachaman for Rosh Hashanah. See below, “Hosafos,” for the halachos that apply if you forgot to say Yaaleh Viyavo.
Over the course of the two days of Rosh Hashanah, we go out and blow the shofar for those who have not had a chance to fulfill the mitzvah. Those who are able should refrain from eating until after tekios (today and tomorrow).
