The Reason for Tashlich

Q. Why do we recite Tashlich on Rosh Hashanah?

A. The first written source for this custom is found in the Maharil (14th century; Minhagim – Rosh Hashanah 9), though the Maharil indicates it was a much earlier custom.

The Maharil presents the custom as follows: “On Rosh Hashanah, after the meal, it is customary to go to a river or sea to throw away our sins.” He does not explain how the sins are discarded. The Rama (OC 583:2) explains that the sins are expunged by reciting the phrase, “V’sashlich bi’metzulos yam kol chataseinu…” (based on Michah 7:19 – “and You will cast into the depths of the sea all their sins”).

The basis for the custom of going to a river is the Midrash Tanchuma (Parshas Va’yeira): When Avrohom Avinu went to perform Akeidas Yitzchok, the Satan attempted to prevent him from reaching his destination by placing a deep river in his path, but Avrohom was undeterred. When the water reached his neck, Avrohom cried out to Hashem and the river disappeared. According to the Zohar (Parshas Tetzaveh), Akeidas Yitzchok took place on Rosh Hashanah. Therefore, on Rosh Hashanah we go to a river to commemorate the mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice) of Avrohom, and in this merit, we ask Hashem to grant forgiveness to his children.

Although this is the primary reason for Tashlich, there are many other reasons offered for this custom. For example, in the Rosh Hashanah machzor of Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, z”tl, the Rav suggests based on Rav Sadya Gaon, that since the shofar of Rosh Hashanah is sounded as part of the coronation of the King, and it was customary to anoint a king by a river as a sign that his reign should continue, so too on Rosh Hashanah, when we proclaim Hashem as King, we do so at a river [also found in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (129:21)].

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.