Tashlikh Traditions

These are photos from the Tashlikh service 5766 at Baylands Nature Preserve. It is a warm day with the community together as we sing 'Return Again' and other songs and prayers to set the mood. Each person is given a hand full of crumbs and goes out on their own on the bridge to contemplate the meaning of Tashlikh and to cast the crumbs into the flowing waters below. Then we come back together and conclude as a community with more song.

Some choose to let all the crumbs fly at once into the stream and others just a little at a time, it is a symbol of renewal that starts the days of awe Yamim Noraim. Parents reflect alone and with their children. Young and old alike continue the tradition. This is the beginning of the time we reflect on what has happened and how things get better in the next year. As we do this each year we should feel that we all become better people and better community.

According to R. Scheinerman: Tashlikh derives from verses from the book of the prophet Micah, which are read as the crumbs are scattered on the water:
"Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? Adonai does not retain anger for ever, because God delights in mercy. Adonai will again have compassion upon us; Adonai will suppress our iniquities; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-20 You will show truth to Jacob, and loving mercy to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old."

Originally, the only requirement was that the water must be flowing -- not stagnant -- to carry away sins. Later rabbis required presence of fish: Like fish caught in nets, we are constrained by the web of sins we weave we are held down weakens our sense of self sin becomes a habit that leads us further down. Similarly, guilt can sometimes prevent us from rising above the past to become better people. Having repented throughout Elul, on Erev Rosh Hashanah, and on Rosh Hashanah morning, Tashlikh provides an opportunity to unburden ourselves of guilt that no longer serves a purpose so we can move on with our lives.