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Why is Rosh Hashanah Called Yom Hazikaron?

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Question

Shalom Rav, 

A. Why is Rosh Hashanah referred to in the Torah as "Yom Hazikaron" (Day of Remembrance)? 

B. Concerning the tying of shoelaces - should one start with the left shoelace, or is there no significance to this? Wishing you a good year and thank you in advance, Hadas

Answer

Shalom u'vracha

1. It is written in the Torah, in the book of Leviticus chapter 23:

24) Speak to the children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first of the month, there shall be for you a solemn rest, a day of remembrance, a holy convocation:

Rashi explained in Leviticus, Parashat Emor, chapter 23, verse 24:
(24) A day of remembrance of the shofar blast - Remembrance of scriptural passages of memories and verses of shofars, to remember the binding of Isaac, which was brought under him by a ram:
And the Rashbam explained in Leviticus, Parashat Emor, chapter 23, verse 24:
(24) A day of remembrance of the shofar blast - By the blast, you will remember before the place. As it is written, and you shall sound the trumpets, etc., and you will be remembered, etc.:
The Ramban adds there:

The text does not explain the reason for this commandment, why the sounding is needed, and why we need to remember before Hashem on this day more than on other days, and why it is commanded to be a holy convocation altogether. But since it is the beginning of the Day of Atonement, on the first of the month, it seems that there will be judgment before Him, as He judges the nations; on Rosh Hashanah, He sits on the throne of righteous judgment, and thereafter, during the Ten Days of Repentance, He will bear the iniquities of His servants. This matter is hinted at in the text as known to Israel from the mouths of the prophets and holy forefathers:

B. One should tie the left shoelaces first, and then the right shoelaces.

Be blessed,

Benjamin Shmueli


Tags:Yom HazikaronRosh Hashanah

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