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Rosh Hashana, What Is It?

September 8, 2010 By 2 Comments

Rosh Hashana, literally head of the year, is accepted as the New Year within the Jewish calendar.

Jewish concept of a new year is somewhat different from Christian concept. Rosh Hashana is part of a longer period known as the High Holidays. It begins about a week earlier, includes Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukkoth.

Since Rosh Hashana symbolizes the beginnings, a traditional belief has it that this day is the sixth day of Creation (the day man was created and all creating completed). Rosh Hashana is also seen as the day of God inscribing you into the Book of Life, which is sealed on Yom Kippur.

A period preceding Rosh HaShana is known as Shlihot (forgiveness). For many this entails getting up earlier than usual, as the shlihot prayers are usually said at midnight or before sunrise. There are areas in Jerusalem where this has become a great tradition, attracting Jerusalemites from all its neighborhoods. [Read more...]

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Honey – Nectar of Rosh Hashana

September 5, 2010 By 1 Comment

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. [Read more...]

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Pomegranate The Fruit from The Garden of Eden

November 21, 2009 By 2 Comments

171120091121When visiting Israel in the fall, one of the most prominent fruits to be seen in the markets and in fruit and juice stands is the pomegranate (rimon in Hebrew).

The pomegranate is native to the Middle East, and so grows abundantly and with very little effort on the part of the farmers. In the last decade or so it has become more and more popular despite the difficulty in getting the seeds out. But this is also the time of the year for enjoying fresh orange juice, [Read more...]

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