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Checklist for Rosh Hashanah

1. Maariv:

• Recite Tehillim between Mincha and Maariv.
• Have extra Kavana in Maariv prayer of first night.
• Recite in Shemoneh Esrei: Hamelech Hakadosh; Zachreinu; Mi Chamocha; Ukesov; Ubisefer; Oseh Hashalom.
• Recite Ledavid Mizmor after Shemoneh Esrei and intend on Parnasa.
• Wish each other Kesiva Vechasima Tova after Davening.

2. The Rosh Hashanah night meal:

• Set up the table before Yom Tov. On the second night, set up the table after nightfall.
• It is a Mitzvah to eat, drink and rejoice on Rosh Hashanah. Be joyful as a good omen!
• One is to eat rich meat and drink sweet beverages.
• One is not to fully satiate oneself.
• One is to establish his meal on wine.
• One is to invite the needy to one’s meal.
• One is to use round Challahs.
• One recites Kiddush with Shehechiyanu
• Second night-On the second night place a new fruit on the table before Kiddush
• First night Shabbos-When [the first night of] Rosh Hashanah falls on Friday evening, read the following in an undertone: shalom aleichim, eishes chayil, mizmor ledavid Hashem ro’i, da hi se’udasa.
• Second night Motzei Shabbos-When the second day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Motzei Shabbos one says Yaknaha”z in the order of Kiddush of the second night.
• Second night-On the second night also the people who listened to the Kiddush eat the new fruit, saying a blessing of Shehechiyanu and Haeitz over it.
• After saying the blessing of Hamotzi, one dips the Challah in the honey [three times].
• First night-On the first night, after eating the Challah after Hamotzi, one is to eat a sweet apple dipped in honey saying first the blessing on the apple and immediately afterwards the “Yehi Ratzon” printed in the Machzor. At the time of the blessing one should have in mind all the fruits to be eaten during the meal.
• The Simanim: Karti [Leek]; Silka/Tradin [Beets]; Tamri [Dates]; Kara [Squash]; Carrots-“Tzimis”; Fish; Pomegranate;  Head of a ram or fish.
• Yehi Ratzon is only recited upon eating the apple.
• Simanim are not customarily eaten by the second night meal.
• Don’t eat: Nuts; Sour foods.
• Avoid smoking
• Birchas Hamazon: Yaleh Veyavo; Harachaman for Yom Tov; Harachaman for Rosh Hashanah; On Shabbos Rosh Hashanah one recites first Harachaman for Shabbos.
• Study Miseches Rosh Hashanah after each meal.
• Diminish in sleep as much as possible during both nights of Rosh Hashanah in order to use the time for recital of Tehillim.
• Avoid cohabitation on both nights.

3. Shacharis

• Awaken prior to Alos and do not return to sleep on Rosh Hashanah day.
• Don’t eat before Davening. Some fast until after Shofar.
• Have extra Kavana in Adon Olam

4. Shofar:

• Spiritually prepare before the blowing in any method that arouses you.
• Have in mind to be Yotzei the Biblical Mitzvah
• Do not say Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo by Hashem’s name in the blessing.
• Don’t think of other matters during the blowing.
• Don’t talk until after Musaf
• Look at the face of the Baal Tokeia after the blowing.

5. Musaf

• Bend slightly upon saying Aleinu in the silent prayer.
• Prepare a cloth for the bowing by Aleinu.
• Leave Shul in happy spirits.

6. The day meal:

• It is a Mitzvah to eat, drink and rejoice on Rosh Hashanah.
• Eat rich meat and sweet beverages.
• One is not to fully satiate oneself.
• One is to establish his meal on wine.
• One is to invite the needy to one’s meal.
• On the 1st day begin the meal prior to the 10th hour of the day. When the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Erev Shabbos begin also the 2nd day meal before the 10th hour.
• The day Kiddush: One says the verse Tiku and Ki Chok etc. One does not say Aleh Moadeiy or Askinu. When Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbos, the following passages are said prior to the verse of Tiku. They are to be said in an undertone: Mizmor Ledavid; Askinu; Veshamru; Im Tashiv; Da Hi; Zechor; Al Kein.
• After saying the blessing of Hamotzi, one dips the Challah in the honey [three times].
• The Simanim: Not customarily eaten by day meal.
• Don’t eat: Nuts; Sour foods.
• Avoid smoking
• Birchas Hamazon: Yaleh Veyavo; Harachaman for Yom Tov; Harachaman for Rosh Hashanah; On Shabbos Rosh Hashanah one first recites Harachaman for Shabbos.
• Study Miseches Rosh Hashanah.
• After eating the day meal one should return to Shul and say Tehillim.
• One is to learn all of one’s set Shiurim. [Seemingly one is to study his chapter of Tehillim with Rashi as is to be done on every Rosh Chodesh]
• Avoid sleeping on Rosh Hashanah day [even after midday], although some have the custom to sleep after midday.

7. Mincha

• Mincha is recited prior to Tashlich.
• It is forbidden to prepare anything on the 1st day of Yom Tov on behalf of the 2nd day until nightfall. Even in a scenario that Shabbos falls after the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah, it is forbidden to prepare on the 1st day of Yom Tov for Shabbos even when Eruv Tavshilin has been done.

8. Tashlich:

• Recite after Mincha, prior to sunset, on the first day of Rosh Hashanah.
• Recite near a river, well, or spring that contains live fish.
• At the conclusion of Tashlich one shakes the ends of his Tallis Katan.

9. The Second day of Rosh Hashanah

• Candles are lit after nightfall.
• Wear new garment or prepare new fruit for Shehechiyanu

10. Second day of R”H that falls on Motzei Shabbos:

• Say Bein Kodesh Lekodesh before Melacha or candle lighting.
• Say Vetodieinu in Shemoneh Esrei
• Say order of Yaknaha”z in Kiddush.
• Meoreiy Haeish is said over the Yom Tov candles that were lit. We simply look at the candles after the blessing.

11. Motzei R”H:

• One is to learn Chassidus towards the end of Rosh Hashanah.
• Shemoneh Esrei: In Shemoneh Esrei one must remember to add the following statements: Zachreinu; Mi Kamocha; Hamelech Hakadosh; Hamelech Hamishpat; Ukesov; Ubesefer, Oseh Hashalom.
• Veata Chonantanu: On Motzei Rosh Hashanah one needs to recite Havdala [Ata Chonantanu] in the blessing of Chonen Hadaas, just like on Motzei Shabbos.
• Havdala on Motzei Yom Tov: We do not say a blessing over Besamim or Haeish.

12. Conclusion of Rosh Hashanah that falls on Friday/Erev Shabbos:

• On Erev Shabbos one is to read Shnayim Mikra after midday before Shabbos.
• One must prepare the food before Shabbos with enough time for the food to be hot and cooked before Shabbos.
• One lights candles for Shabbos from a pre-existing flame at the usual time of candle lighting.
• Hodu is not said before Mincha although Patach Eliyahu is recited as usual before Mincha.
• Avinu Malkeinu is omitted by Mincha.
• The evening service begins with מזמור לדוד instead of נרננה לכו.
• In Lecha Dodi the normal Nussach of Berina is recited.