Rosh Hashana Simanim Reimagined

In the Syrian tradition we start the Rosh Hashana evening meals with a series of blessings for the year ahead. Originally these blessings were formulated using language that felt oppressive to my modern sensibilities. I have changed the language from father to parents to create a blessing that removes the gender binary and have tried to bring our own internal work to the forefront of this ritual. In working to maintain the play on words integral to the structure of these hopes I was assisted by Rabbi Irwin Keller who masterfully crafted the English to align with the hebrew puns.  I pray that this rereading of these ancient hopes will bring a new level of intention for this new year. Please feel free to add your own puns and share them in the comments below. A printable formatted pdf can be found below.

May this year bring us all closer to embodying our personal values inside and out.
Rabbi Esther Azar
Elul 5781


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Apple and Honey תפוח בדבש- Tapuach b’devash 
.יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי הורינו שֶׁתְּחַדֵּשׁ עָלֵינוּ שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה

Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v'elohei horeinu sh’techadesh aleinu shanah tovah u’metukah.
May it be your will YHWH our God and the God of our ancestors that You renew for us a year good and sweet like honey.
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Dates- תמרים–Tamarim

.יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי הורינו שֶׁיִּתַּמּווּ השיפוט עצמינו
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v'elohei horeinu shYitmu hashifut atzmeinu

May it be your will YHWH our God and the God of our ancestors that we not fall into the pit of self-judgment.
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Rubiya, Lubiya-רוביא—לוביא-Small Beans 
​רב–, multiply, expansiveness, many
לב–heart
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי הורינו, שֶׁיִּרְבּוּ ליבינו וזָכִיּוֹתֵינוּ.
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v'elohei horeinu sh’yirbu libeinu u’zachuyoteinu.
May it be your will YHWH our God and the God of our ancestors that our hearts expand and that we be worthy human beans.
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Karati-כרת-Leekכרת—to cut. 
.יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי הורינו שֶׁיִּכָּרְתוּ סיפורי חיינו שכבר לא משרתת אותנו
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v'elohei horeinu sh’yekartu sipurei chayeinu sh’kvar lo meshartet otanu. 
May it be your will YHWH our God and the God of our ancestors that we root out the life stories that no longer serve us.

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Gourd-קרא-qara
Related to the word קרע—to rip apart, and also קרא
—to announce.
.יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי הורינו שֶׁתִּקְרַע ספק   עצמי וקרא זָכִיּוֹתֵינוּ
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v'elohei horeinu she’tiqra safek atzmeinu v’qara bechol ram zachiyoteinu
May it be your will YHWH our God and the God of our ancestors  that our self-doubt be squashed under the weight of our kindnesses.
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Pomegranate -רימון- Rimon 

.יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי  הורינו, שֶׁנִּהְיֶה מְלֵאִים מִצְוֹת כָּרִמּוֹן
Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu v’Elohei Horeinu, sheniheye melayim ka’rimon.

May it be your will YHWH our God and the God of our ancestors that our souls be seeded with sweet mitzvot.
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Rams Head (tongue)- ראש כבש- Rosh Keves

Ram's Head (or the head of another kosher animal or fish).
.יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי הורינו, שֶׁנִּהְיֶה לְרֹאשׁ וְלֹא לְזָנָב
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v'elohei horeinu shniheyeh lerosh ve’lo le’zanav. 
May it be your will YHWH our God and the God of our ancestors race ahead to perform acts of goodness.
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Swiss Chard-סלק–Salek

Related to the Hebrew word  “silek” (to depart):

.יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי הורינו שֶׁיִּסְתַּלְּקוּ אשמותינו ומילו אהבתינו

Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v'elohei horeinu she'yistalku ashamoteinu ve’miluu ahavahteinu
May it be your will YHWH our God and the God of our ancestors that we leave our shame in the charred ruins of the past, and move forward fresh with love.
 
Printable Simanim Cards for your table- 
Print double sided on 8.5x11 cardstock and then cut in half