Rosh Hashana is both a festive and solemn occasion. Its joy is spiritually disciplined by the sacred traditions of home and synagogue. Although the observance of the High Holy Days is centered primarily in the synagogue, the home is where the family prepares to meet the New Year in a spirit of faith and in a mood conducive to prayer and soul-searching.

                The table is set with a white cloth and a centerpiece of flowers symbolic of purity and joy, candlesticks, wine and challot to symbolize a full, round year, as well as a dish of honey and sliced apples.

Candlelighting
                The family gathers together for the lighting of candles and the Kiddush which precedes the festive meal on both Rosh Hashana nights. The following blessings are recited over the candles:
                Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam, asher kid-shanu b'mitz-votav, v'tzivanu l'hadlik neyr shel yom tov.
                Blessed are Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe,Who has sanctified us by Thy commandments and instructed us to kindle the Festival lights.
                Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam, Shehe'cheyanu, vekiyemanu, vehigiyanu lazeman hazeh.
                Blessed are Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has kept us in life, preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.
                The following private prayer is adapted from the Art Scroll Machzor, and may be recited at candlelighting.
                May it be Your will Adonai my God, and God of my ancestors, that You show favor to me (my husband, my sons, my daughters, my father, my mother) and all my relatives; and that You grant us and all Israel a good and long life; that You remember us fondly and with blessing; that You make our household complete; that You cause Your Presence to dwell among us. Grant me the privilege of raising children and grandchildren who are wise and understanding, who love You and revere You; people of truth and kindness who will brighten the world with Torah and good deeds. Let Your countenance shine on us and grant us a year of peace.             Amen

 Kiddush
The Rosh Hashana Kiddush is recited (reprinted here from the Machzor):
                Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam, borey p'ri ha-gafen.
                Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam, asher bahar banu mi-kol am v'rom'manu mi-kol la-shon v'kid-shanu b'mitz-votav. Va-titen lanu Adonai Elohaynu b'ahava, et yom ha-zikaron ha-zeh, yom t'rua, mikra kodesh, zeyher liy-tzi-at mitz-ra-yim. Ki vanu vaharta v'otanu kidashta mi-kol haamim, u-d'varha emet v'ka-yam la-ad. Baruch Atah Adonai, Melech al kol ha-aretz, m-kadeysh Yisrael v'yom ha-zikaron.
                Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam, Shehe'cheyanu vekiyemanu, vehigiyanu lazeman hazeh.

                Praised are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
                Praised are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has chosen us of all peoples for Divine service and distinguished us by teaching us the way of holiness through the Mitzvot. In love have You given us, O Lord our God, this Day of Remembrance, a day for the sounding of the Shofar, a holy convocation, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt.
                You have chosen us for Your service, and have given us a sacred purpose in life; for Your word is truth and endures forever. Praised are You, O Lord, Sovereign over all the earth, who hallows Israel, and this Day of Remembrance.
                Praised are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has kept us in life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.
                (Continued on page 2)
After the Kiddush Ha-Motzi is recited over the challot. Some dip the challah in honey.

Apple in Honey
                Then all members of the family dip the apple in honey and recite the following blessing and prayer:
                Yehi ratzon milefanekha Adonai Elohaynu veElohay avotaynu, sheta-hadesh alaynu shana Tovah u'metukah.
                May it be Thy will, Lord our God, God of our fathers, to grant us a year from first day to last, goodly as the apple, sweet as the honey.
               

Second Night of Rosh Hashana
                On the second night of Rosh Hashana it is customary to introduce a new fruit (mango, cactus pear, ripe fig, etc.) so that in addition to the blessing over the fruit, the shehecheyanu may also be recited. We recite the shehecheyanu whenever we celebrate a "first" in life, or even in doing something enjoyable which we haven't done since last year. Fresh Market and Harris Teeter Friendly will have unusual fruits the week preceding Rosh Hashana.
                The following is taken from the David deSola Pool Sephardic Siddur. It may be used at the meal on either or both nights, and you may substitute your own blessing and symbolic foods (original Hebrew version available from Rabbi Havivi).
                It is customary in many households to precede the family meal with special foods chosen symbolically and eaten with appropriate blessings and wishes suggested by their name or quality. The leader or all family members recite:

Dates – Yehi ratzon milefanekha Adonai Elohaynu veElohay avotaynu sheyetamu soni’ainu.
                As we eat this date, may we date the new year that is beginning as one of happiness and blessing, and peace for all people everywhere.

Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who createst the fruit of the tree.                                                                                          (DeSola Pool)

Pomegranates – In the coming year, may we be as rich and replete with mitzvot inspired by religion and piety as this pomegranate is rich and replete with seeds.
                Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech Ha’olam boreh peri ha’etz.

Pumpkin or Gourd – May the coming year grow as a gourd in fullness of blessing. In the year to come, if enemies gird at us, mayest Thou guard us as we eat of this gourd with the prayer: Blessed are Thou, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the earth.
                Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech Ha’olam boreh peri ha’adamah.

Leek – Like as we eat this leek may our luck never lack in the year to come.

Beetroot – As we bite this beet, may those who in the past have beaten us or sought our harm beat to cover in the coming year.

Sheep or Fish Head (use Gefilte) - May it be Thy will, Lord our God, God of our ancestors, that in the coming year we may go ahead in all we undertake. As it is written "and the Lord will set Thee ahead and not back, and Thou shalt go only upwards and not down, when Thou wilt hearken to the commandments of the Lord Thy God which I command Thee this day to observe, and to do them."

                The Rosh Hashana greeting - in its brief form - is L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu - "May you be inscribed for a good year."