By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
Should you take a nap on Rosh Hashanah? It is a praiseworthy custom not to sleep during the day on Rosh Hashanah, as the day is considered the “New Year” and a time for spiritual preparation. The Talmud notes that if one sleeps at the beginning of the year, “his good fortune also sleeps.”
The custom is to engage in Torah study, recite Tehillim, or other mitzvot instead of sleeping.
When is a nap permitted? If one is very tired and will have difficulty reciting Minchah with proper kavanah (intention), a brief nap in the afternoon is permitted. Some authorities, including the Arizal, would take a short nap after chatzot (midday) on Rosh Hashanah. Elderly or weak individuals may sleep before chatzot if needed for strength.
Practical considerations: It is better to wake up early to pray at netz (dawn) even if you will nap later, rather than waking up later to join a later minyan and missing the earlier prayer. If waking up early would make it difficult to concentrate in prayer, you may pray with a later minyan. Some communities have the custom to read Torah or study mussar during the day to avoid idleness.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Temple-Emanu El’s Torah School presents its “Field Trip” at 10 a.m., Sunday, September 13 at Louis A. Stelzer County Park, Lakeside. This family event includes a morning of nature, hiking, and friends. Organizers say families should pack their own snacks, lunch, water bottles, and a blanket if they would like, and there are limited picnic tables reserved. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth El announces its “Celebrating Our Jewish Journey in America” at 11 a.m., Sunday, September 13. This service will include a conversation between Joellyn Zollman, Ph.D., and Rabbi Ron Shulman as they explore the American Jewish Experience.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue presents its “Tashlich” at 5 p.m., Sunday, September 13, at Lake Murray. This all-ages event is a gathering at the edge of Lake Murray to symbolically “cast our sins” into the water. Organizers say they will provide duck pellets, which are environmentally friendly, as bread can be dangerous for the ducks and fish. Click here for more information.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces its “Selichot Bonfire and Breakfast: with Rabbi Gross” at 7:30 p.m., Monday, September 14 at a private residence. This event includes a soulful Selichot experience and will explore the themes of forgiveness through song, prayer, story, and s’mores around a fire. Click here to rsvp.
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Temple Emanu-El announces its “Music with Michelle Jirkovsky” at 11 a.m., Tuesday, September 15. These sessions, led by Jirkovsky, include a journey through Jewish music history, from ancient melodies and cantorial greats to Broadway composers, camp songs, contemporary Jewish artists, and secular musicians with Jewish roots. Participants are encouraged to listen, learn, reminisce, sing, and share memories of the music that shaped our identities and communities. Organizers say bagels and coffee will be available. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth El presents its “Jewish Meditation Cohort” at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15. Craig Parks will lead these sessions, which will provide going into a deeper and more spiritual practice alongside a caring community. Click here for more information.
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Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “Break-Fast: Sponsored by the Brooklers and Doris Jaffe” at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. September 21. Organizers say join for a fun and celebratory Break-Fast meal. Click here to rsvp.
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Beth Jacob Congregation presents its “Sukkos Dinner Under the Stars” on Friday, September 25. Rsvp coming soon.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces its “Shabbat Kehillatit Dinner in the Sukkah” at 6:15 p.m., Friday, September 25. This family-friendly service and community dinner will celebrate Sukkot together as a community. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth Israel announces its “Mending Hearts: Finding Hope and Meaning After Loss” at 10 a.m., Session 1: Sundays, October 4, 11, 18, 25, and November 1 and 15. Session 2: Sundays, January 31, February 7, 21, 28, March 7, and 14. This small support group, facilitated by Rabbi Aliza Berk, LMFT, Jewish Educator, Chaplain and Spiritual Director, and Gail Braverman, LMFT, Certified Art Therapist, Certified Amherst Writers and Artists Facilitator, and Yoga Instructor, will guide participants through the healing process with love and support. Click here to register.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
East County announces its “Rosh Hashanah Dinner” at 7:30 p.m., Friday, September 11. Click here to save your seat.
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Downtown presents its “Shofar by the Bay” at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, September 13, at the Marriott Marina. This event is a meaningful Tashlich service and shofar blowing ceremony. Click here to rsvp.
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ONLINE OFFERINGS
Congregation Beth Israel’s Men’s Club announces its “Men’s Discussion Group” at 10 a.m., Monday, September 14, on Zoom. This forum is for men who are members to meet together, enjoy camaraderie, and discuss relevant issues. Meetings are held every second and fourth Monday of each month. Click here to receive the Zoom link.
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Young Israel of San Diego presents “Let’s Talk Parsha with Rabbi Eddie Rosenberg” at 8:30 p.m., Monday, September 14, at San Diego Kollel and on Zoom.
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Congregation Beth Israel announces “Morning Mindfulness with Julie Potiker” at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays on Zoom. Potiker will lead these sessions to start the day and move from a place of fear to a place of calm. In these sessions, participants will experience bringing their attention to the present moment without judgment. Click here to register.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Beth Jacob Congregation reports that the orders of Lulav and Etrog should be received by Tuesday, September 15. Click here to order.
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Temple-Emanu El’s High Holy Drive reports that its Social Action Committee is collecting non-perishable food and grocery store gift cards to be donated to the Jewish Family Service Hand Up Food Pantry. Donations can be received in the temple lobby.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.