Rosh HaShana, like many Jewish holidays is filled with symbolism. Much of the symbolism centers around the idea of ensuring that we have a sweet new year. I love how central the symbolism is to this holiday and the way it can shape customs.
Apples and Honey
One of the most well-known parts of Rosh HaShana is the apples and honey. We dip apples into honey and make a blessing, asking for a year filled with sweetness. It's our family's custom to find new and unique honey flavors to try each year. It's always a fun, sweet adventure!
New Fruits
On the 2nd night of Rosh HaShana, it's customary to eat a fruit we haven't eaten in a year or a new to us fruit. It symbolizes our gratitude for new possibilities in the new year. This year we had kumquats, rambutans, dragon fruit, and starfruit.
Pomegranetes
It is said that a pomegranate has 613 seeds, the number of commandmants in the Torah. By eating the fruit, we hope to merit that many good deeds this year.
Round Challah
Our challahs are usually braided into a straight plait. But, on Rosh HaShana, we form them into road loaves to represent a full round year. Often they include raisins or a cinnamon sugar topping for added sweetness
There are other symbolic foods like the head of a fish, leeks, beets, carrots, and more! We eat a lot over yontiv and it's amazing how each food can hold such special meaning! Shana tova!
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