Rosh HaShanah Evening Honor Details
WHEN is Rosh HaShanah this year? CLICK HERE for schedule
*RHE01 (10 & 11) Bless the Candles (Hebrew and English)
The Rabbi will call the Blessers to the Bimah. The candles should already be lit. The Machzor has a few options of readings for before the candle blessing. See pages 10 and 11. The candle blessing is on page 11. Add the blue "Shel Shabbat" only during years when the holy day falls on Shabbat. It is followed by a Shehecheyanu - note that the choir sings the blessing and the Shehecheyanu after you finish.
Page 10 Page 11
*RHE02 (79-80) Lead the Kiddush (Hebrew or English)
The Rabbi will call the Blessers to the Bimah (with the Candle Blesser). After the person finishes with the candle blessing and the choir finishes singing the blessings, lift the Kiddush cup and remove the cover. Please hold the cup the whole time you say the blessing. Note that the blessing is not the same as a Shabbat Kiddush. If you are familiar with this blessing in Hebrew, and want to chant or read it - that is great. However, most people do the first line "Borei P'ri Hagafen" in Hebrew, read the whole thing in English (skip the blue words, because it is not Shabbat this year), and then end with the final Hebrew sentence "M'kadesh Yisrael v'hazmanim." There is a Shehecheyanu at the end - and then you can drink. The choir is not singing this blessing.
Page 79 Page 80
RHE03 (15) Blow the Shofar
Come to the Bimah when people are doing personal prayers at the bottom of page 14. Stand on the bimah and be ready to blow the Shofar at the end of page 15 after the Rabbi calls, "T'kiah!" This is the only blast of the evening.
RHE04 (74-77) Open and Close Ark for Avinu Malkeinu [2 People]
Bring your book, and walk up to the bimah while we are reading page 74 to be ready to open the Ark by the time we turn the page to 75. When the Rabbi says, "Please rise when the Ark is open" open the doors to the Ark. NOTE: The door on the left is difficult to open in the middle of the opening - it starts out easy, gets difficult, and then is easy again. Continue to open it beyond the difficult part. Two people will be doing this honor: one for the left door and one for the right. If you have weakness in your arms, please choose the door on the right. Face the Torah Scrolls and read with the Congregation. The Rabbi will indicate when to close the doors. Please return to your seats.
RHE05 (82) Open and Close Ark for Aleinu [2 People]
Rabbi will ask you to come up to open the Ark after the sermon and announcements. Bring your book, and walk up to the bimah. When the Rabbi says, "Please rise when the Ark is open" open the doors to the Ark. NOTE: The door on the left is difficult to open in the middle of the opening - it starts out easy, gets difficult, and then is easy again. Continue to open it beyond the difficult part. Two people will be doing this honor: one for the left door and one for the right. If you have weakness in your arms, please choose the door on the right. Face the Torah Scrolls and read with the Congregation. The Rabbi will indicate when to close the doors. We continue on page 84. When the Song ends, you may close the Ark, and return to your seats.
For an explanation of the codes at the beginning of the name for each honor CLICK HERE.