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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12 thoughts on the matter:
These foods are so organic looking to celebrate the special day of the year
...enjoy sweet adventures in the new year.
Happy new year ! I like theses exotic fruits. Especially, rtambutan et dragon fruit
Wonderful symbolism for a "Sweet New Year."
Definitely a way to remember and live in gratitude.
Thanks so much for sharing these traditions with us! Those "new" fruits are so neat. I'm often intimidated by fruits I haven't encountered before since I am clueless on prepping them.
Rambutans are the bomb. THey're so expensive here but in Singapore (or Malaysia) I eat them by the tonne....I love them.
Love it! Happy Holiday!
thank you so much for sharing these symbols and traditions with us. So interesting. And no doubt comforting to you all in the continual of rituals. Thank you for sharing, stay safe, enjoy your week, and thankyou again for the link up.
We love the meaning behind the foods!
I love reading about all of the traditions, symbolism and customs for the holiday!! Those fruits look so fun to try!
Shana Tova! I've never heard of trying a new fruit but I LOVE starfruit. And this year we had strawberry honey which was really good!
I love learning about these traditions, and I love the sweetness of this one! This reminds me, too, of the classes I took on the feasts a couple of years ago. So much richness in them!
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