Rosh Hashanah 2014

Rosh Hashanah Foods and Their Spiritual Meaning

Rosh Hashanah 2014

With Rosh Hashanah starting soon, we take a look at the some of the tasty holiday foods you can look forward to and what symbols they represent.

Beginning on the evening of September 24, 2014, Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Jewish New Year. This holiday is a time of reflection and planning to improve one’s own life in the coming year. It is also a time of joyful celebration.

One of the most important parts of any celebration is the cuisine. Rosh Hashanah’s selection of foods is actually of vital importance to the festivities. Each served dish has its own biblical significance that has survived thousands of years.

Sweet Foods of Rosh Hashanah

Honey is enjoyed throughout this holiday, especially with apples. Honey’s sweetness represents the hope for a sweet new year with wealth and healthy living. However, it is also mentioned extensively throughout the Bible. Israel is labeled the land of milk and honey, and honey is referred to as the sweetener of choice. The challah is dipped into this special sweet syrup and followed by apples to say blessing and pray.

What is Challah? And Why is it Shaped like that?

Challah is another significant element of the Rosh Hashanah menu. This is a form of egg bread that is enjoyed by Jews across the world on many special occasions. Even the shape of this delightful treat holds significance. The most common shape is simply round; however, for Rosh Hashanah, challah is often wrapped in spiral rounds to symbolize never ending creation, braided rounds for representing the ascension into Heaven, and crowns for showcasing God as king. Honey is added to the challah to further emphasize the sweetness of these religious representations.

Honey cake, new fruit, and fish are also quite commonly eaten to highlight life and the appreciation for being alive to enjoy the gifts God has granted us. The significance behind each piece of food is founded in many centuries of practice. Each hopes to bless celebrants with fruitful lives in the coming year.

To all our Jewish friends, Shana Tova! and have a happy, and tasty, Rosh Hashanah!

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