On Rosh Hashanah, one of my favorite activities growing up was the ritual and tradition of tashlikh, throwing bread crumbs into flowing water to symbolize the throwing away of sins. There was a lake by my house, and a group of about six families who went to my synoguage would set a time and we would all meet for tashlikh. It’s become be a bit of a joke that almost everyone brings their leftover matzah from Passover! I can’t quite explain why, but there seems to be a connection between the “bread of affliction” and the notion of absolving sins. It seems to fit so well!
This year (incidentally during Passover) we thought we’d add a new twist—specifically using junk food for the tashlikh tradition. Given all of the crazy ingredients in Oreos, Twinkies, and Doritos, and the struggles that so many of us have with eating healthy, it only seems to make sense! It’s like a literal manifestation of the “casting away” of sin—including junk food eating habits!
So at this year’s Rosh Hashanah, we’ll be adding this new little ritual!
