What is Tashlich? The word Tashlich comes from the Hebrew meaning “to cast,” and refers to the intent to “cast away” our sins via this meaningful and ancient Jewish custom, common to both Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities.

Tashlich is usually performed on the first day of Rosh Hashana. If the first day of Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbat, Tashlich is done on the second day of Rosh Hashana. It may be performed throughout the 10 Days of Repentance, or even until Hoshanah Rabba (the last day of Sukkot), though not on Shabbat.

Special verses are preferably recited next to a body of water, such as a sea, river, stream, lake or pond, preferably one that has fish, or even facing a distant view of water.  When no such body of water is available, one can in many cases get creative and visit a neighbor’s pond, and the last resort is to do it with a bucket of water, but do ask your Rabbi first. Upon concluding the Tashlich verses, the corners of one’s clothes and pockets are shaken out.

Cardboard-waves-craftWhile of course the kids can use the waves for all kinds of imaginative play, one can also decide to create a holiday skit of sorts together with large sea horses and fish as well!