Quick Guide to Entering 5787 Right

Rosh Hashanah preparation is not only about knowing what to do on the holiday itself. It is also about preparing our Tefillah, our relationships, our commitments, our thoughts, our actions, and the way we want to enter the new year.

SAY SELICHOT 

Show up to Selichot with all your heart. Reflect on your past year. Apologize to Hashem genuinely. Open your heart. Prepare for the new year by doing true Teshuva. 

REVIEW THE MACHZOR

Know the tefillah before you begin.

• HaMelech HaKadosh replaces HaKel HaKadosh
• HaMelech HaMishpat replaces Melech Ohev Tzedakah U’Mishpat
• Review the additions to the Amidah & more

CHOOSE ONE REAL CHANGE

List what you want to improve this year, B’H. Pick at least one goal and make a practical game plan.

DO HATARAT NEDARIM

Go to shul and do Hatarat Nedarim. The idea is to annul any good practices you have taken on that may have acquired neder status, and to state that any future good practices are bli neder.

CHOOSE YOUR PATH

Do mitzvot and fix your middot willingly rather than waiting for yissurim to bring your tikkun.

CHOOSE TZEDAKAH

Money may leave either way. Choose to give it and earn a mitzvah rather than lose it through an unwanted expense.

REMOVE THE NEGATIVITY

Like a spiritual brit milah, remove the “peel” of negativity from your mouth, speech, ears, eyes and actions.

SHABBAT IS OUR SHOFAR

In 5787, the first day of Rosh Hashanah is Shabbat, so we do not blow shofar that day. We hear it on the second day. This teaches the importance of learning the halachot and guarding every detail of Shabbat.

STOP MAKING EXCUSES

Even valid excuses do not move you forward.

REPLACE THEM WITH ACTION

For mitzvot, waking on time, and bein adam lachavero: seek solutions. Do. Solve. Start. Work.

GUARD THOUGHT AND SPEECH

Negative thoughts and words about others can create kitrug. Be careful and mindful of what you think and say.

FIND THE NEKUDOT TOVOT

Choose ayin tovah and kaf zechut. See the good, speak positively and release high expectations of those around you.

ASK FOR FORGIVENESS

Apologize to anyone you may have hurt or spoken badly about. Ask sincerely for selicha and mechila.

REPAY WHAT YOU OWE

If you owe someone money, now is the time to return it.

PRAY FOR PARNASSAH

Ask Hashem for the parnassah you need. Commit to giving maaser and begin now with what you can.

JUDGE FAVORABLY

See someone doing an aveirah? Think: perhaps he does not understand its seriousness. What Hashem shows you is a mirror of your own actions; if you were shown it, you have something in that area to fix. The way you judge another is really how you judge yourself. Judge favorably, and you will merit to be judged favorably from Above.