Regarding the Minhag that we have on Rosh Hashana called Tashlich. This Minhag is brought down by the Rama, (Rabbi Moshe Isserles, 1530 - 1572), the Kaf Hachayim (Rav Yaakov Chaim Sofer 1870-1939), and most importantly it’s brought down by The Arizal (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria Ashkenazi ben Shlomo, 1534-1572). The custom is to go on the first day of the Holiday to a body of water, and to make a special Tikun and Tefilah. The question is why, and what’s the reason?
Some correlate the minhag of Tashlich to the events of Akedat Yitzchak which took place on Rosh Hashana. We learn from the Midrash that when Abraham Avinu was on his way to the Akeda, he was confronted by a body of water, which actually was the Satan trying to deter Abraham Avinu from going to fulfill this great act. Abraham Avinu forged ahead through the water, and when the water level reached above his neck by his mouth, at that point he prayed to G-d, and beseeched G-d to save him for the water, which was about to take his life. G-d subsequently told the Satan to leave Abraham alone, as he had passed the Satans test. Since Abraham Avinu made a prayer by the water on that day of Rosh Hashana, we also have a Minhag to make a prayer by the water.
Another explanation is brought down that we are following the custom of coronating the King by he water, by a flowing stream. It’s as if to bless the King that his kingdom should flow forever like the water of the stream. And since on the day of Rosh Hashana, we are pronouncing to the world that G-d is the King, it is therefore proper to hold a coronation ceremony of the Malchut (Kingdom) of Hashem.
Lastly, some bring the reason down that water is a symbol of humility, as the water always seeks its level. It always goes from a high place, and it comes down. Therefore on the Holiday we are showing subjugation to G-d, and we are saying that we are like water, that we are trying to subjugate our will and our bodies to G-d.
There is a custom also brought down in Shear Hakavanot, to put fish into the water. There are different reasons as to why we put the fish in the water. Some say that since the fish are under water, they are protected from the Ayin Hara (the evil eye). Nobody can see fish, and so they don’t have any evil eye on them. As if to symbolize that we should be saved in the coming year from the evil eye, we pray Tashlich with fish in the water.
Another explanation for the fish is that fish multiply at a very rapid rate. So it’s a symbolism that we should have Beracha, that we should flourish and multiply like the fish.
There is also a Musar (ethical teaching) behind the fish that are swimming in the waters of Tashlich. A fish lives in a fool’s paradise. A fish swims in the water comfortably without any problems in the world. Everything is going good, and all of a sudden, without any warning, without any pre-notice, he’s plucked out of the water and his life is over. Therefore, we put the fish in the water to remind us of this symbolic lesson on Rosh Hashanah. There is no warning when exactly the lease on life is over. So therefore, when one sees the fish, it’s a Musar. One should learn from the fish by comprehending how fragile life is. Things can change at any moment without any prior notice.
