On the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, there is a ceremony called Tashlich. Traditionally people go to the ocean, stream or river to pray and throw bread crumbs into the water.
The scripture says,
Who is a God like you, pardoning the sin and overlooking the crimes of the remnant of his heritage? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in grace. He will again have compassion on us, he will subdue our iniquities, You will throw all their sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:18, 19).
Symbolically, the fish devour the sins.
Occasionally, people ask what kind of bread crumbs should be thrown.
Here are suggestions for breads which may be most appropriate for specific sins and misbehaviors:
Type Of Sin |
Type Of Bread |
| For ordinary sins | White Bread |
| For dark sins | Pumpernickel |
| For complex sins | Multigrain |
| For twisted sins | Pretzels |
| For tasteless sins | Rice Cakes |
| For sins of indecision | Waffles |
| For sins committed in haste | Matzah |
| For sins of chutzpah | Fresh Bread |
| For substance abuse | Stoned Wheat |
| For use of heavy drugs | Poppy Seed |
| For petty larceny | Stollen |
| For committing auto theft | Caraway |
| For timidity/cowardice | Milk Toast |
| For ill-temperedness | Sourdough |
| For silliness, eccentricity | Nut Bread |
| For not giving full value | Shortbread |
| For chauvinism | Yankee Doodles |
| For excessive irony | Rye Bread |
| For unnecessary chances | Hero Bread |
| For war-mongering | Kaiser Rolls |
| For causing injury to others | Tortes |
| For being holier than thou | Bagels |
| For abrasiveness | Grits |
| Dropping in without notice | Popovers |
| For overeating | Stuffing |
| For impetuosity | Quick Bread |
| Raising your voice too often | Challah |
| For pride and egotism | Puff Pastry |
| For laziness | A long loaf |
| For trashing the environment | Dumplings |
| For telling puns | Corn Bread |
Learn more about the holiday of Rosh Hashana.
Messianic Times September/October 2008
