From: preffer@helix.mgh.harvard.edu Subject: Bread for Tashlich 5761 Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 22:36:56 EDT
On Rosh Hashanah , there is a ceremony called Tashlich. Jews traditionally go to the ocean (or a stream or river), pray, and then throw bread crumbs onto the water, so the fish can symbolically eat their sins. Some people have been known to ask what kind of bread crumbs should they throw:
| ordinary sins | white bread |
| exotic sins | french bread |
| particularly dark sins | pumpernickel |
| complex sins | multi-grain |
| twisted sins | pretzels |
| tasteless sins | rice cakes |
| sins of indecision | waffles |
| sins committed in haste | matzo |
| sins of chutzpah | fresh bread |
| substance abuse/marijuana | stoned wheat |
| substance abuse/heavy drugs | poppy seed |
| committing auto theft | caraway |
| committing arson | toast |
| passiveness when action is warranted | milk toast |
| being ill-tempered/sulky | sourdough |
| cheating customers | shortbread |
| risking one's life unnecessarily | hero bread |
| excessive use of irony | rye bread |
| telling bad jokes | corn bread |
| being money hungry | raw dough |
| war-mongering | kaiser rolls |
| immodest dressing | tarts |
| causing injury or damage to others | tortes |
| promiscuity | hot buns |
| promiscuity with gentiles | hot cross buns |
| davenning (praying) off tune | flat bread |
| being holier than thou | bagels |
| indecent photography | cheese cake |
| over-eating | stuffing |
| gambling | fortune cookies |
| abrasiveness | grits |
| cheating | baked goods with nutrasweet and olestra |
| impetuousness | quick bread |
| negligent slip ups | banana bread |
| dropping in without warning | popovers |
| perfectionism | angel food cake |
| being up-tight and irritable | high-fiber bran muffins |
Remember, you don't have to show your crumbs to anyone.