Honey – Nectar of Rosh Hashana

JNF helps stimulate greater honey production

One of the most traditional and symbolic foods for Rosh Hashana is honey. Months before the holiday bee keepers all over Israel prepare themselves and their hives.

Honey, sweet honey, is used to bless the New Year. May the year ahead be as sweet as the honey. Tradition is to eat apples dipped in honey during the festive evening meal.

Only thing is Rosh Hashana falls at the end of the hot Israeli summer. There are no flowers to speak of, so how are the bees supposed to supply the growing demand for honey.

According to a report in the Jerusalem Post a new innovative project has begun to solve this problem. The JNF (Jewish National Fund) has for more than 100 years been responsible for planting trees all over Israel. With the changed awareness of what trees to plant, the JNF started a project some 10 years ago, under the directorship of David Brand, to identify “mega trees”, that will flower all year round and produce the nectar so needed for honey.

When these trees have been identified, the saplings are grown in nurseries throughout the country. They are then planted throughout the country.

Though the trees are still young, bee keepers report a increase in honey production. They also report that they no longer have to move the hides, and can leave them for most of the year near the new groves.

As different species of trees are used, each with its own unique flavor, we can still get honey with its own unique flavor. No losers here. More groves adorn the country, the bees are kept busy, the bee keepers are happy, and we have no shortage of honey for Rosh Hashana.

Shana Tova u’metuka (A good and sweet year) to all my readers

For full Jerusalem Post article