Tashlich with Teens Discussion Ritual Guide
BACKGROUND:
Tashlich is a High Holiday ritual of throwing into a river breadcrumbs (or an ecologically friendly alternative, such as rice paper), as a symbolic casting out of our misdeeds from the past year.
The ritual takes its name from Micah 7:19, in which the prophet described God as forgiving the people: “You shall throw away (ךְילִשְׁתַ - tashlich) into the deep sea all of our sins.” This ritual guide, designed for parents and teens, can be used anytime through Sukkot near a body of water.
DISCUSS WITH YOUR FAMILY:
1 According to tradition, tashlich ideally takes place by a body of water where fish are present. One reason for this is that fish always have their eyes open, watching what’s happening around them. How can parents and teens watch out for each other?
2 In the verse from Micah, it is God who is casting our sins into the sea, not us. Are there any wrongs from this past year – either in your life or in the world – that you feel need the help of a higher power?
3 The ritual of tashlich is not enough by itself. We must also apologize and make sure we do not repeat the mistake in the future. Think about one of your wrongdoings from the past year, whether accidental or intentional. What is one thing you can do to make it right, or to make sure you do something different next time?
REFLECT AND SHARE:
Now respond in writing to these prompts. For the first prompt, we recommend using washable markers or dissolvable paper; for the second prompt, we recommend blank cardstock, a small piece of cardboard, or a note in your phone.
1 On paper: What do you want to cast off from the past year? A mistake you made accidentally that nevertheless caused harm, or a wrongdoing you did on purpose?
2 On cardstock: What do you want to take with you into the coming year? Something you want to watch out for, or continue doing, or a way that you want to be a better person?
This writing is private and does not need to be shared. We suggest, however, taking turns sharing what support you might need to accomplish what you wrote.
RITUAL
1
Read aloud:
2
3
We now prepare to throw away our misdeeds, mistakes, and sins from the past year.
For some of us, saying sorry and forgiving ourselves comes naturally. For others, perhaps because of our upbringing, our identities, or our experiences, this is very hard. We can recall that the “you” in tashlich (“You will throw away,”) is not actually us, but God.
Whether or not you believe in God, it may be helpful to remember that, according to the text, it is a higher power who unburdens you from your regrets.
Take the paper and crumple it into a ball. Read aloud:
We say together the words of the prophet Micah:
You will throw away into the deep sea all of our sins.
Toss the paper into the water. Read aloud:
V’tashlich bimtzulot yam kol chatotam.
We also know that casting out sin, no matter how sincere, is not enough. We must also affirm ourselves as doers of good. For some of us, this may be the harder task: to see the good in us and to believe that we, the flawed humans that we are, are capable of the greatest goodness imaginable.
We say together the words of the prophet Micah:
What does God want from you?
Only do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.
Mah Adonai doresh mimkha? Ki im asot mishpat, ahavat hesed, v’hatzneah lechet im Elohecha.
4 Fold up the cardstock and place it in your pocket (or sock or purse if you don’t have a pocket). Keep it someplace you can refer it as a reminder throughout the year.
Happy New Year!
Shanah Tov
