Rosh Hashanah’s primary service is the submission to the sovereignty of heaven. Therefore, on these days, even great and prestigious individuals serve G‑d in a manner which appears to be “simple”: constant recitation of Psalms, minimal sleep on both nights (to the extent possible), and particular care not to speak idle chatter . . .

—Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch.



Wednesday October 2—29 Elul
  • Make an eruv tavshilin in order to be able to cook on Friday for Shabbat.

Women and girls light Holiday candles tonight to usher in the holiday. See Light Festival Candles for the blessings, and Candle-Lighting Times for Holidays for local candle-lighting times.

After the evening services we wish one another, “Leshanah tovah tikateiv v’teichateim—May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year!”

After reciting the holiday kiddush benediction over wine (or grape juice), we eat the challah bread dipped in honey. It is then customary to eat a sweet apple dipped in honey; the head of a fish, ram, or other kosher animal; and a pomegranate. In different communities there are other traditional foods eaten at this meal. See Rosh Hashanah Eve Meal for more about this holiday meal.
Thursday October 3—1 Tishrei
First Day of Rosh Hashanah

Torah reading: Genesis 21:1–34; Numbers 29:1–6.
Haftorah: I Samuel 1:1–2:10.

The priests bless the congregation with the priestly blessing during the Musaf prayer.

All men, women and children should go to the synagogue to hear the sounding of the shofar.

Festive lunch meal; the challah is dipped in honey.

Afternoon prayers.

In the afternoon, the Tashlich prayer service, in which we ask G‑d to “cast away our sins into the depths of the sea,” is recited at a body of water (sea, river, lake, pond, etc.) containing fish. See What is Tashlich? for more on the Tashlich ceremony.

No preparation for the evening meal may take place until night has fallen. Women and girls light holiday candles using an existing flame tonight after dark to usher in the holiday. Click here for the blessings, and here for local candle-lighting times. A "new fruit" should be present on the table when the candles are lit. When reciting the shehecheyanu blessing, the kindler should have in mind the new fruit which will be eaten after kiddush. The same applies when the shehecheyanu is recited during kiddush.

After the holiday kiddush, before washing for bread, the new fruit is eaten. See Rosh Hashanah Eve Meal for more about this holiday meal.

The challah is again dipped in honey.
Friday October 4—2 Tishrei
Second day of Rosh Hashanah

Torah reading: Genesis 22:1–24; Numbers 29:1–6.
Haftorah: Jeremiah 31:1–20.

All men, women and children should go to the synagogue to hear the sounding of the shofar. See the High Holiday Services and Events Directory to find a synagogue near you. Not able to leave home? Contact your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center. They will do their best to arrange for a shofar-blower to pay you a personal visit.

The priests bless the congregation with the priestly blessing during the Musaf prayer.

Festive lunch meal; the challah is dipped in honey.

Afternoon prayers.

18 minutes before sunset, women and girls light candles for Shabbat, using an existing flame. Click here for the text of the blessing, and here for local candle lighting times.

Evening prayers, followed by Kiddush and the Shabbat meal.
Shabbat October 5—3 Tishrei
Shabbat Teshuvah (Shuvah)

Torah reading: Parshat Haazinu, Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52.
Haftorah: Hosea 14:2–10; Micah 7:18–20.

Shabbat kiddush and meal. Challah is dipped in honey.

Afternoon and evening prayers are followed by havdalah.
Sunday Fast of Gedaliah October 6—4 Tishrei

All men and women over the age of bar or bat mitzvah fast from dawn until nightfall, in commemoration of the assassination of Gedaliah, governor of Judea. See Today in Jewish History for more about Gedaliah. Click here for fast beginning and end times in your location.

  • Pregnant and nursing women do not have to fast on this day. Someone who is ill should consult a rabbi.
  • During the morning prayers we recite selichot (penitential prayers).
  • The Torah is read during the morning and afternoon prayers (Exodus 32:11–14; 34:1–10). After the Minchah (afternoon) Torah reading, a special fast-day haftorah is read (Isaiah 55:6–56:8).
  • During the Amidah of the Minchah prayer, all those who are fasting add a small section, “Aneinu,” to the “Shema Koleinu” blessing.