MY TASHLICH EXPERIENCE YESTERDAY
Tashlich ceremony is done on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Tashlich means ‘to cast off’. ‘cast away’ and is a ritual doen as a physical reminder of the human efforts to cast away one’s sins.
Micah 7:19 reads, “God will take us back in love; God will cover up our iniquities, You [God] will hurl all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
Nehemiah 8:1, “All the Jews gathered as one in the street that is front of the gate of water.” This was believed to be on Rosh Hashanah and the Tashlich ceremony was being observed.
The ceremony is performed beside a body of flowing water, or if there is not flowing water a large bowl of water is used or a mikvah. First you reflect on your short comings or unpaid vows to God the past year and then confess each sin as they have come to your mind and ask forgiveness from God. Next, empty pockets of any lint or crumbs as a symbol of God taking your sins away and throw it into the water.
Prayer, “Who is like You, God, who removes iniquity and overlooks transgression of the remainder of His inheritance. He does not remain angry forever because He desires kindness. He will return and He will be merciful to us, and He will conquer our iniquities, and He will cast off our sins into the depths of the seas. Give truth to Jacob, kindness to Abraham, like that you sore to our ancestors from long ago.”
I did this yesterday on the Texas City Dike beside the ship channel of the Gulf of Mexico. I took communion following my Tashlich observance. The reason this observance is so helpful to me is because I am very introspective, hard on my self and I end up beating myself up and feel I condemn myself. As I observe this ceremony I take communion, receiving the full assurance of my salvation, purchased in full by Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary.
When I got home it was pouring rain at the front of my home, no other place, just over the front door. And there was a huge rainbow over our home!!!! How awesome is that??? What a great God we serve.
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