Link to Rosh Hashanah Home Blessings

(Because Yom Kippur is a fast day, the Erev Yom Kippur meal must technically be eaten before Yom Kippur and its fast begins. The candles are therefore lit after the meal to mark the formal beginning of Yom Kippur and the beginning the fast. Kiddush is also not said at this meal because kiddush can only be said after the lighting of the candles. Once the candles are lit, however, the fast has begun and so the wine for kiddush and hence the kiddush are not appropriate.)

MOTZI

Before the Meal

According to Maimonides (of the twelfth century) "Free will is given to every human being. If we wish to incline ourselves towards goodness and righteousness, we are free to do so; and if we wish to incline ourselves towards evil, we are also free to do that. By our own faculty of intelligence and understanding we can distingish between good and evil, doing as we choose. The power for this choice between good and evil is altogether in our hands."

As we approach Yom Kippur, we pray for the power to make worthy choices all through this year. May our hands do good. May our hands always lead us towards blessing.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

LIGHTING OF HOLIDAY LIGHTS

After the Meal

The holiest day of the year is about to begin. Let us use it well. May it be for each one of us a day of renewal. May it help us overcome what is evil in us and strengthen what is good. May it bring us closer to our real selves and make us more loyal to our people and our traditions.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who has made us holy with commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of (Shabbat and) Yom Kippur.

SHE-HE-CHE-YA-NU

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this moment.

May each of us be sealed in the Book of Life for a good year!