Hasidim in Uman “shake off” their sins: how Tashlich was held on Rosh Hashanah (video)
23 September 22:15
Hasidim in Uman performed the Tashlich ritual, a symbolic throwing of sins into the water. This year, more than 35,000 Hasidim who came to Uman to celebrate Rosh Hashanah took part in this traditional rite. Iryna Rybnytska, executive director of the Historical and Cultural Center of Uman, told about this in an exclusive commentary for "Komersant Ukrainian".
What is the Tashlich rite?
Traditionally, the ritual is performed on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, in the afternoon. If the holiday coincides with a Saturday (Shabbat), the ceremony is postponed to the next day.
Hasidim gather on the banks of a river, lake, or any body of water with fish. Participants read passages from the Bible and special prayers, and perform symbolic actions such as shaking the edges of their clothes, which symbolizes getting rid of sins that are not part of the human essence.
“Tashlich is a special ritual that includes prayer and a request for forgiveness of sins. The word tashlich means “cast away,” and the rite was named after a passage from the book of Micah that reads, “You will cast away all our sins into the depths of the sea,” said Iryna Rybnytska.
She explained that water symbolizes life and purity:
“When a person repents, their sins are washed away by water. It is an elevation and spiritual renewal.”
How Hasidim celebrated Tashlich in Uman in 2025
This year, the rite took place near two ponds near the places of pilgrimage. Thousands of believers prayed, read psalms from the book of Micah, which contain the words: “You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
Some pilgrims threw small crumbs of bread into the water to symbolize getting rid of negativity.
The first day of Rosh Hashanah
The first day of the year 5786 according to the Jewish calendar for Hasidic pilgrims in Uman began traditionally with prayer and a ban on work.
In the Hasidic quarter near the grave of Rabbi Nachman, the sounds of ram’s horns, the shofar, could be heard from early morning. The rabbis showed the pilgrims Torah scrolls.
Because of the Sabbath, the pilgrims did not speak to the camera, as it is a day of rest dedicated to prayer.
Most Hasidim plan to return home immediately after the end of the holidays on September 24.
