The shofar is our ancient, animalistic alarm clock. Hearing it tells us to wake up and it's a mitzvah, a commandment to hear its call. We say the first blessing before the shofar is sounded, then we say shehecheyanu, the blessing for milestones, to mark the occasion.
 

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu lishmoa kol shofar.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who has made us holy with commandments, and who has commanded us to hear the voice of the shofar.

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam shehecheyanu v’kiyimanu v’higiyanu lazman ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.

“I think it's beautiful. A word for remembering small moments destined to be lost.”  --Robyn Schneider, The Beginning of Everything

The term Sillage (see-yazh), derived from the French word for a boat’s wake, can refer the scientific degree to which a perfume’s fragrance lingers or can poetically refer to having a lingering impression of something having passed.  Our memories are not files of events saved on a hard drive.  Memories contain the movement of a moment, can be electrifying to the senses, and are meant to stay with us.  Each time we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, as we have done for years and generations, we create new collective memories to be passed down. 

What are three moments in the past year (or further back) seemed small at the time but linger with you? What ways are you planing on being more mindful in the year to come?

Blessing of Memory
Zichronam livracha, tzedek v’shalom 
May the memories of those we have lost be for a blessing of righteousness and peace.

As we sit at our Seder table tonight to celebrate the Exodus of our ancestors from slavery in Egypt,

The words “Let My People Go” resonate in the depths of our souls.

Our hearts are with our Israeli brothers and sisters who have been kidnapped by Hamas.

The bitter taste of Maror is on our tongues, our tears are in the salt water.

On this night of freedom we cannot rejoice until every soul heartlessly held captive is released.

Help us, God, to bring them home.

Fill Israel’s leaders with the strength, the wisdom and the power

to negotiate the release of the hostages who are waiting and praying for deliverance.

Until that day, watch over the hostages, God.

Let them know they are not alone, and not forgotten.

Fill them and their families with courage, perseverance, strength

and hope for the blessed day of freedom that is coming.

We pray the seas will part, the hostages will walk free,

and we will welcome a new time of peace for Israel!

On that day we will sing a new song to You, O God, Who frees the captives,

A song of rejoicing and gratitude.

May that day come soon.

When Israel was in Egypt’s land,

Let My people go!

Oppressed so hard they could not stand,

Let My people go!

Refrain:

Go down, Moses,

Way down in Egypt’s land;

Tell old Pharaoh

To let My people go!

No more shall they in bondage toil,

Let My people go!

Oh, let us all from bondage flee,

Let My people go!

Refrain:

Your foes shall not before you stand,

Let My people go!

And you’ll possess fair Canaan’s land,

Let My people go!

Refrain:

Nearly all Jewish holiday begin with lighting candles, and so this one will, too. After we light the candles we wave our hands in three big horizontal circles to symbolically bring the light closer to us, and then cover our eyes while we say the blessing. When the blessing is over take a moment of silent reflection with your eyes covered, and then open your eyes and enjoy the beauty of candlelight, bringing you into the new year.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּֽנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁלְיֹוםטֹוב

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam
asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel yom tov.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe,
who has sanctified us with commandments, and commanded us to light festival candles.