Tashlich comes from the Hebrew word meaning "to cast," referring to the intent to cast away our sins via this meaningful and ancient Jewish custom that I found helpful for us as Messianic Believers as well. I will explain why with a testimony on this tradition at the end.
Tashlich is usually performed on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Special verses are recited next to a body of water, such as a sea, river, stream, lake or pond, preferably one that has fish (though when no such body of water was available, some rabbis were known to do Tashlich next to a well, even one that dried up, or next to a bucket of water). Upon concluding the verses, the corners of one's clothes are shaken out; for males, this is usually done with the corners of the tallit katan (tzitzit garment).
Tashlich's earliest reference appears to be in the book of the Prophet Nehemiah (8:1) which states, "All the Jews gathered as one in the street that is in front of the gate of water." This gathering is known to have taken place on Rosh Hashanah, and for this purpose.
Many reasons are given for this custom:
One reason for saying Tashlich next to water goes back to Abraham's trip to sacrifice his son, Isaac (which took place on Rosh Hashanah). On the way to the designated location, the Satan tried several times to undermine Abraham's progress. One of the Satan's tricks was to have a river materialize and block Abraham's path. Undeterred, Abraham forged on straight into the river followed by his small entourage. Upon reaching the middle of the river when the water reached his neck, Abraham prayed to YHWH and the river dried up. We commemorate the self-sacrifice of Abraham by going to a river bank.
Another reason for saying Tashlich next to a river is because Rosh Hashanah is the day when we coronate YHWH as King of the Universe. Jewish kings are always anointed next to rivers, and so it is appropriate that we crown YHWH as our King next to a river, as well.
Going to a river bank or sea shore is also awe inspiring as we contemplate YHWH's mercy in preventing the waters from flooding the dry land. The realization of YHWH's omnipotence inspires us to repent.
Though we do Tashlich beside an earthly river or sea, this watery entity actually represents its Heavenly counterpart. Jewish traidition teaches that water corresponds to the attribute of kindness. On Rosh Hashanah, we beseech YHWH to treat us with kindness during the new year.
Water with fish is optimal since fish are not subject to the "evil eye" and are also known to have many offspring. Fish do not have eyelids, so their eyes are always open. This is likened to YHWH's constant supervision over us, and we pray that He mercifully care for us. Also, just as fish may be caught in a fisherman's net, so, too, we are caught in the net of judgment. This awareness helps awaken us to repent.
While there are different versions and verses of the Tashlich liturgy depending upon community, what are common to all are the verses from the book of Micah (7:18-19) "Who is a god like You..." These words correspond to YHWH's thirteen attributes of mercy which we seek to arouse on Rosh Hashanah as we are being judged; the allusion to these thirteen attributes is known to always be beneficial.
The goal of Tashlich is to cast both our sins and the Heavenly prosecutor (a.k.a. the Satan) into the Heavenly sea. And when we shake our clothes after the Tashlich prayer, this is a tangible act to achieve the spiritual goal of shaking sins from our soul.
Needless to say, the physical motions near the water and fish of Tashlich are not what grant us atonement. But if we pay attention to the symbolism and apply the sincere desire to heal our relationship with YHWH as portrayed in the physical demonstrations of Tashlich, then it serves as a crucial part in the process of repenting and returning to YHWH in purity.
Tashlich:
(YHWH, Adonai, benevolent God,)
1) Who is a God like You,
(compassionate)
2) who pardons iniquity
(and gracious,)
3) and forgives transgression
(slow)
4) for the remnant of His heritage?
(to anger)
5) He does not maintain His wrath forever,
(and abounding in kindness)
6) for He desires [to do] kindness.
(and truth;)
7) He will again show us mercy,
(He preserves kindness)
8) He will suppress our iniquities;
(for two thousand generations,)
9) and You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
(pardoning iniquity,)
10) Show faithfulness to Jacob,
(transgression)
11) kindness to Abraham,
(and sin,)
12) which You have sworn to our fathers
(and He cleanses.)
13) from the days of yore.
(YHWH is slow)
1) in From out of distress I called to YHWH;
(to anger)
2) with abounding relief, YHWH answered me.
(and abounding in kindness,)
3) Adonai is with me,
(pardoning iniquity)
4) I do not fear
(and transgression,)
5) what can man do to me?
(acquitting [the penitent])
6) YHWH is with me among my helpers,
(and not acquitting the impenitent],)
7) and I will see [the downfall of] my enemies.
(remembering the iniquity of the fathers for the children,)
8) It is better to rely on YHWH than to trust in man.
(for the third and for the fourth generation.)
9) It is better to rely on YHWH than to trust in nobles.
Sing joyously to YHWH, you righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to offer praise. Extol YHWH with a harp; sing to Him with a ten-stringed lyre. Sing to Him a new song; skillfully play sounds of jubilation. For the word of YHWH is just; all His deeds are done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the kindness of YHWH fills the earth. By the word of YHWH the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their hosts.
He gathers the waters of the sea like a mound; He stows away the deeps in vaults. Let all the earth fear YHWH; let all the inhabitants of the world tremble before Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it endured. YHWH has annulled the counsel of nations; He has foiled the schemes of peoples. The counsel of YHWH stands forever, the thoughts of His heart throughout all generations. Fortunate is the nation whose God is YHWH, the people He chose as a heritage for Himself. YHWH looks down from heaven; He beholds all mankind. From His dwelling-place He watches intently all the inhabitants of the earth. It is He who fashions the hearts of them all, who perceives all their actions. A king is not saved through a large army; a warrior is not rescued by means of great strength. A horse is a false guarantee for victory; with all its great strength it offers no escape. But the eye of YHWH is directed toward those who fear Him, toward those who hope for His kindness, to save their soul from death and to sustain them during famine. Our soul yearns for YHWH; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, for we have put our trust in His holy Name. May Your kindness, Adoanai, be upon us, as we have placed our hope in You.
They shall do no evil nor shall they destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of YHWH, as the waters cover the sea.
May it be Your will, Adonai our God and God of our fathers, exalted God, crowned with thirteen attributes, qualities of mercy, that this shall be a propitious time before You; and may You consider the recitation of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy in the verses "Who is a God like You..." which correspond to the thirteen attributes "benevolent God, compassionate and gracious...," that we recited before You, as if we had comprehended all the esoteric meanings and the combinations of the holy Names that are formed from them, and the joining of their attributes, which, one by one, shall approach to "sweeten" the severe judgments. And so, cast all our sins into the depths of the sea, and bestow upon us from them the bounty of deliverance and mercy. Remember us for life, King who desires life; inscribe us in the Book of Life for Your sake, O living God. May we merit to attain teshuvah ila'ah ("higher level repentance"), for Your right hand is stretched forth to receive penitents. Rend the evil [aspect] of the verdict decreed against us; may our merits be stated before You, and may You have forbearance for us for good. Amen.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, L-rd, my Strength and my Redeemer.
(Throw the stone into the water and shake off your garments. over the water)
TESTIMONY:
Many years ago, when I was in prison, we discovered this tradition when preparing to celebrate YHWH Appointed Days. We obviously did not have rocks or rivers or lakes in prison. So we took a piece of paper and wrote on it the words "PAST INIQUITIES". Remembering Micah 9:17 (I will cast your sin into the sea of forgetfulness), we confessed all of out sins before YHWH, said the Tashlich, then took the paper, wrinkled it up, threw it into the toilet and flushed it.
It was a reminder to us that our sins are gone. Once YHWH forgave them, they were forgotten by Him, never to be remembered again - thanks to our Redeemer, His Son Yeshuah (Jesus), who took our sins upon Himself. This symbolic tradition is an important reminder to all of just what YHWH has done for us.
May we all shake ourselves from sin and be signed and sealed in the Book of Life for a good and sweet new year!
#yomtaruah
#roshhashanah
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