Happy Rosh Hashanah

Today is the Jewish New Year. All the best for 5768! The traditional greeting on Rosh Hashanah is “Shana Tova”, Hebrew for “A Good Year”.

For those not familiar with this celebration here is a bit of background:

Rosh Hashanah extends over the first two days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Rosh Hashanah occurs 163 days after the first day of Passover. This holiday is characterized by the blowing of the shofar, a trumpet made from a ram’s horn. The sound of the shofar is intended to awaken the listener from his or her “slumber” and alert them to the coming judgment.

And here is the Cheap Ethnic Eatz part:

Rosh Hashanah meals often include apples and honey, to symbolize a “sweet new year”. Various other foods with a symbolic meaning may be served, depending on local custom, such as tongue or other meat from the head (to symbolise the “head” of the year). Other symbolic foods are dates, black-eyed beans, leek, spinach and gourd, all of which are mentioned in the Talmud. Pomegranates are used in many traditions: the use of apples and honey is a late medieval Ashkenazi addition, though it is now almost universally accepted. Typically, round challah bread is served, to symbolize the cycle of the year. On the second night, new fruits are served to warrant inclusion of the shehecheyanu blessing, the saying of which would otherwise be doubtful (as the second day is part of the “long day” mentioned above).

Hugs and Biscuits,

Evelyne