What are the Rosh Hashanah prayers and blessings?

Rosh Hashanah Prayers and Blessings

Rosh Hashanah features a rich and distinctive liturgical structure centered on three central themes: Malkhuyot (Kingship), Zikhronot (Remembrances), and Shofarot (Shofar verses). The prayers span multiple services — Maariv (evening), Shacharit (morning), and Musaf (additional) — each with unique insertions and expansive piyyutim (liturgical poems) not found during the rest of the year.

Key Takeaways

The Musaf Amidah of Rosh Hashanah has a unique seven-blessing structure incorporating Malkhuyot, Zikhronot, and Shofarot, each accompanied by shofar blasts.
The prayer Aleinu L'Shabei'ach ("It is incumbent upon us to praise") was originally instituted specifically for the Rosh Hashanah Musaf, and carries deep kabbalistic significance.
During the Aseret Yemei Teshuva (Ten Days of Repentance, beginning with Rosh Hashanah), the Kaddish is modified by doubling the word le'ela ("on high").
The Rosh Hashanah prayers focus on God's sovereignty, His memory of creation and humanity, and the shofar call that awakens the soul to repentance.
Special Psalms of distress and supplication are incorporated into fast-day and High Holiday prayers to heighten awareness of divine judgment.

Overview of the Prayer Services

Maariv — Evening Service

The evening service on Rosh Hashanah night opens in a special fashion. The Mateh Efrayim (582:1) describes:

"The chazan (prayer leader) recites 'Barechu' and extends it somewhat with a holy melody, and the congregation responds after him loudly and with great intent, 'Baruch Hashem...'"

Key features of Maariv:

Kriat Shema and its blessings are recited, concluding with "U'Fros"
The verse "Tik'u bachodesh" ("Blow the shofar at the new month," Psalm 81) is added
Some communities also add "U'veyom simchatchem"
All Kaddish recitations from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur include a doubled "le'ela le'ela" ("on high, on high"), even in Kaddish Yatom (the mourner's Kaddish) [Mateh Efrayim 582:1]

The Amidah — Standing Prayer

Standard Insertions (All Services)

During the Aseret Yemei Teshuva, special phrases are inserted into the regular Amidah:

"Zochreinu l'chayyim" — "Remember us for life" (in the first blessing, Avot)
"Mi khamokha" — "Who is like You" (in the second blessing, Gevurot)
"U'khetov l'chayyim" — "And inscribe for life" (in the blessing of Modim)
"B'sefer chayyim" — "In the Book of Life" (in the concluding blessing Sim Shalom)
The third blessing's conclusion changes from HaEl HaKadosh to "HaMelech HaKadosh" — "The Holy King"

The Musaf Amidah — The Heart of Rosh Hashanah Prayer

The Musaf (additional) service contains the most distinctive and elaborate prayers of Rosh Hashanah. Instead of the standard middle blessing, it expands into three special blessings, making the Musaf Amidah seven blessings total.

The Three Central Blessings

The Mishnah (Rosh Hashanah 4:5) records the dispute between Rabbi Yochanan ben Nuri and Rabbi Akiva about their order:

Rabbi Yochanan ben Nuri's view [English Explanation of Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 4:5:2]:

"He says 'patriarchs,' 'powers,' and the 'sanctification of the name,' and includes the kingship verses with them and does not blow. The sanctification of the day and blows, the remembrance-verses and blows, and the shofar-verses and blows. Then he says the blessing of the Temple service and 'thanksgiving' and the blessing of the priests."

Rabbi Akiva's view [English Explanation of Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 4:5:4]:

"First he should recite the normal three blessings which begin each Amidah, without any deviation. Then he includes 'kingship' with the sanctification of the day and blows the shofar, then he says the remembrance-verses and blows, and the shofar-verses and blows."

The accepted halacha follows Rabbi Akiva's arrangement, which is the structure used in all communities today.

1. Malkhuyot — Kingship (מַלְכֻיּוֹת)

This section declares God as the universal King over all creation. It contains ten verses from Tanakh — three from Torah, three from Ketuvim (Writings), and three from Nevi'im (Prophets), plus one final verse from Torah.

This is where Aleinu L'Shabei'ach (עָלֵינוּ לְשַׁבֵּחַ) is recited in its original context. The Sha'arei Orah (Fifth Gate, Sixth Sefirah, 112) explains its profound significance:

"This is why in the Rosh HaShanah prayers it was established to recite 'It is incumbent upon us to praise the Master of all — Aleinu L'Shabei'ach.' If you contemplate the words of this prayer, you will discover that the matter of the seventy nations, which are the seventy families of the children of Noach, is mentioned in it."

The prayer thus encompasses Israel's unique covenantal relationship with God while simultaneously acknowledging God's ultimate sovereignty over all humanity and all nations.

2. Zikhronot — Remembrances (זִכְרוֹנוֹת)

This section calls upon God to remember His covenant — with Noah, with the Patriarchs, and with the Jewish people. It contains ten verses evoking divine memory and providence.

The Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Fasts 4:5) indicates that Zikhronot "relate to the difficulty facing the people," showing that remembrance-verses are intrinsically tied to calling out to God in times of need and judgment.

3. Shofarot — Shofar Verses (שׁוֹפָרוֹת)

This section contains ten verses referencing the shofar — at Matan Torah (Sinai), in the context of ingathering of the exiles, and at the end of days. Each of the three central blessings is accompanied by the actual blowing of the shofar.

Special Psalms and Prayers

The Rosh Hashanah machzor (holiday prayerbook) incorporates several Psalms specifically chosen to evoke the themes of divine judgment and mercy. The Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Fasts 4:5) lists psalms used in times of communal need:

Psalm 120 — "I called to God in my distress and He answered me"
Psalm 121 — "I lift up my eyes to the mountains"
Psalm 130 — "Out of the depths, I called to You, O God" (Min hama'amakim)
Psalm 102 — "A prayer of the afflicted, when he becomes faint"

These psalms of supplication are woven into the High Holiday season to deepen the experience of standing before the Divine Judge.

The Unetaneh Tokef Prayer

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