Torah Thoughts for the New Year

​​Among the many beautiful Sephardic traditions, we practice is the recitation of the Yehi Rasones on Rosh Ha-Shana. What is the meaning of this practice? When and how is it performed?

On the nights of Rosh Ha-Shana, as we gather around our table before the meal, we recite the Kiddush, the blessing of the day over wine. After the Kiddush, we wash our hands and we make the blessing of Hamosi over the bread, then the table is set with various foods. Apple slices dipped in honey, leek patties, spinach casserole, dates, pumpkin or squash, black eye peas, and lamb cheek meat or fish head. Then, prior to eating any of these foods, the corresponding blessings are made followed by a short prayer, asking God to bless our coming year. Each one of these prayers begins with the words, “Yehi Rason Milefanekha…” or “Let it be Your will…,” and since these prayers are translated into Ladino, we know them in Ladino as the Yehi Rasones. 

This practice seems to originate from the Talmud, which states, “Said Abaye: Now that you have said that a sign is something, a man should accustom himself to eating squash, beans, leeks, beets and dates on Rosh Hashana” (Keritot 6a). The Talmudic passage addresses how a sign might be used as a symbol of something to come in the future. Based on this quote, the practice began to emerge. During the Geonic Rabbinic period of the 10th century, a basket would be brought in front of Rav Haye Gaon, where he would pick up each item and make a short request based on the name of each of these items as a place on words.

Black eyed peas are called “Rubya” in Hebrew, which also means “much or many,” so our request is that our merits become many. Since dates are called “Tamar,” and “Tam,” the word also means end or complete; our request is that our transgressions be ended in front of God. This practice further grew in 14th century Spain, where Rabbi David Abudarham said that before eating each one of these items, one is to recite a short request starting with the words, “Yehi Rason Milefanekha.” This indeed is the practice that is kept in our community today. (Please, visit our website, zemirot.org to listen to these prayers.)

What is the meaning of our practice today? We start with an apple dipped in honey, we continue by looking to multiply our merits and minimize our transgressions, and we end by eating a piece of meat from the head of an animal or from fish. In our prayers, our requests are that our year becomes sweet, that we are filled with good deeds and that we remain free and owners of our own destiny. Indeed, we are creating a mindset for the year to come.

Our prayers for all members and friends of the Sephardic Brotherhood, Ke sea la veluntad de Muestro Dyo, for a sweet year, filled with good deeds and with many blessings.

Para Munchos Anyos

Rabbi Nissim Elnecavé