Tashlich - Throwing bread in the water?

Hi,

A custom has developed in America, with some scattered precedent elsewhere, of bringing bread to throw to the fish at Tashlich. [The custom is not mentioned in any of the numerous works of Jewish law that discuss Tashlich. There are some communities with customs of shaking out the corners of their cloaks, to symbolize ridding ourselves of sin.]

Apparently, the custom did not originate with Tashlich itself, but rather was a way to entertain children while adults recited Tashlich.

This custom is problematic, though, for we may not feed animals/fish/birds, other than those that depend on us for food, on Yom Tov. [This is because of a concern that one might try to catch one of the creatures, and trapping is prohibited on Yom Tov. Most authorities rule that this applies even where one stands at a distance from the fish, so that trapping is unlikely.]

Therefore, I do not recommend bringing bread.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Tashlich, Part II

Hi,

We generally recite Tashlich next to a flowing body of water, such as a well or river, rather than a standing pool.

We try to use a body of water containing fish, indicating that we should flourish and multiply as do the fish.

(Mishneh Berurah 583:8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Tashlich

Hi,

On the afternoon of Rosh HaShanah, we go to a body of water to perform Tashlich. At its core, Tashlich is simply the act of reciting the verse, “And You shall throw all of our sins into the depths of the sea.”

Performing this practice evokes the memory of the Akeidah (binding of Isaac), because the midrash teaches that Avraham and Yitzchak passed through a neck-deep river on their way to the Akeidah, thereby demonstrating their faith and perseverance.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 583:2; Mishneh Berurah 583:8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai