Mini-Rosh Ha’Shanah Talmudic Seder

Monday, September 23, 2019

In Sephardic Jewish homes there are several ways to prepare and conduct the Rosh Hashanah seder. To conduct the seder, you’ll need seven bowls placed in the center of the table. Each bowl is filled with one of the following:

Dates
Pomegranates
Apples and honey
String beans
Pumpkin
Spinach and scallions
Fish head (or head of lettuce)
The leader begins the seder.

Leader: Seder Yehi Ratzon

The group responds: Seder Yehi Ratzon … Baruch HaShem.

– Dates (T’marim)

Pass around the bowl and have each person take one date.

Leader: May It be your will, G-d, that all fighting will end. May we date this New Year with Peace and Happiness.

Group: Ken Yehi Ratzon.

All take a bite.

Leader: “Baruch atah Adonai, elohenu melech ah-olam, borei p’re ha-etz. Blessed are you, Adonai, Ruler of the universe who has created the fruit of the tree.”

– Pomegranate (Rimon)

Pass the bowl around and have each person take a piece of pomegranate or one fig.

Leader: May it be your will, G-d, that in this new year we keep your commandments.

Group: Ken Yehi Ratzon.

All take a bite.

– Apples and honey (Tapuah ba-d’vash)

Pass around the apple slices and have each person hold a dipped slice.

Leader: May it be Your will, G-d, to renew for us a year that is as good and sweet as honey.

Group: Ken Yehi Ratzon.

Eat the apples.

– String Beans (Rubia)

Pass around the beans.

Leader: May it be your will, G-d, that we increase our merits.

Group: Ken Yehi Ratzon

Leader: Baruch atah Adonai, eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p’ri ha-adamah. Blessed are you, Adonai, ruler of the universe, who has created the fruit of the earth.

– Pumpkin or Gourd (K’ra)

Pass pumpkin around.

Leader: As we eat this pumpkin, may it be Your will, G-d , to guard us. Tear away all evil decrees against us and remember the good things we have done in the past and will do in the new year.

Group: Ken Yehi Ratzon.

Eat the pumpkin.

– Spinach or Beetroot Leaves (Selek)

Pass them around, each person taking a leaf.

Leader: May it be Your will, G-d, to banish all the enemies who might beat us.

Group: Ken Yehi Ratzon.

– Leeks or Scallions (Karti)

Pass these around the table.

Leader: May it be Your will, G-d, that mazel (good fortune) find us in the year to come.

Group: Ken Yehi Ratzon

Fish head/Head of lettuce

Pass the head around with each person taking a piece.

Leader: May it be Your will, G-d, that we be heads, not tails. Leaders, not followers, never stragglers but at the head of what is right and what is good in the year to come.

Group: Ken Yehi Ratzon.