Symbolic prayers for Rosh Hashanah seder, also known as Yehi Ratzones, named after the beginning of each blessing.
On Rosh Hashanah we eat dates. Tamar in Hebrew, related to the word “tam” (to end):
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹהינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץיְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁיִּתַּמּוּ אוֹיְבֵינוּ וְשׂוֹנְאֵינוּ וְכָל מְבַקְשֵׁי רָעָתֵנוּ
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha’olam borei pri haetz. Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v’elohei avoteinu she’yitamu oyveinu v’soneinu v’kol m’vaskshei ra’ateinu.
May it be Your will, God and the God of our ancestors, that there come an end to our enemies, haters and those who wish evil upon us.
Haricots verts, green beans or black-eyed peas. Lubiya or rubiya in Aramaic, related to the Hebrew words “rav” (many) and “lev” (heart):
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁיִּרְבּוּ זָכִיּוֹתֵינוּ וּתְלַבְּבֵנוּ
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v’elohei avoteinu she’yirbu zakiyoteinu u’t’leivavenu.
May it be Your will, God and the God of our ancestors, that our merits shall increase and that You hearten us.
Leeks. Karti in Aramaic. A play on the Hebrew word “karat” (to cut):
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁיִּכָּרְתוּ אוֹיְבֵינוּ וְשׂוֹנְאֵינוּ וְכָל מְבַקְשֵׁי רָעָתֵנוּ
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v’elohei avoteinu, she’yikartu oyveinu v’soneinu v’kol m’vakshei ra’ateinu.
May it be Your will, God and the God of our ancestors, that our enemies, haters, and those who wish evil upon us shall be cut down.
Swiss chard or beets. Silka in Aramic or selek in Hebrew, respectively. Related to the Hebrew word “silek” (to depart):
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁיִּסְתַּלְּקוּ אוֹיְבֵינוּ וְשׂוֹנְאֵינוּ וְכָל מְבַקְשֵׁי רָעָתֵנוּ
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v’elohei avoteinu, she’yistalku oyveinu v’soneinu v’kol m’vakshei ra’ateinu.
May it be Your will, God and the God of our ancestors, that our enemies, haters and those who wish evil upon us shall depart.
Gourd or squash. Karaa in Aramaic. Related to the Hebrew words “karaa” (to rip apart), and also “kara” (to announce).
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁתִּקְרַע רוֹעַ גְּזַר דִּינֵנוּ, וְיִקָּרְאוּ לְפָנֶיךָ זָכִיּוֹתֵינוּ
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v’elohei avoteinu, she’tikra roah gezeira dineinu, v’yikaru l’fanecha zakiyoteinu.
May it be Your will, God and the God of our ancestors, that the evil of our verdicts be ripped, and that our merits be announced before you.
Apples and honey. Tapuach b’dvash in Hebrew, for a sweet new year.
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁתְּחַדֵּשׁ עָלֵינוּ שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה כַּדְּבָשׁ
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v’elohei avoteinu, she’t’chadesh aleinu shanah tovah u’metukah ka’devash.
May it be Your will, God and the God of our ancestors, that You renew for us a year good and sweet like honey.
Pomegranate. Rimon in Hebrew. To be filled with mitzvot as numerous as the pomegranate’s seeds.
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁנִּהְיֶה מְלֵאִים מִצְוֹת כָּרִמּוֹן
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v’elohei avoteinu, she’nihiyeh m’lei’im mitzvot ka’rimon.
May it be Your will, God and the God of our ancestors, that we be filled with mitzvot like a pomegranate [is filled with seeds].
Ram’s head, or the head of another animal or fish. Rosh in Hebrew.
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁנִּהְיֶה לְרֹאשׁ וְלֹא לְזָנָב
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai eloheinu v’elohei avoteinu, she’nihiyeh l’rosh v’lo zanav.
May it be Your will, God and the God of our ancestors, that we be a head and not a tail.
Adapted from the Chabad website.
