Rosh Hashanah

At the beginning of the Jewish New Year, on Rosh Hashanah, one is being judged for his deeds and is encouraged to do Teshuva, or repentance. When coming home from synagogue services on the first night of the High Holiday, there are several symbolic foods called Simanim which are eaten as reminders of our requests to G-d for our needs this coming year. These foods are mentioned by the Gemara in the tractate of Kerisus.

When eating fruits which grow on a tree, one must first say the blessing over fruit:

The first one is K’ra (gourds). The Hebrew word Kera can either translate to “read/proclaim”, or “tear”. We proclaim that G-d is King over the whole world and beseech him to “tear” up any bad decrees.
Blessing: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu shetikra roa gzar dineinu veyikaru lefanecha zechuyoteinu..

According to Sefardic custom: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu shetikra roa gzar dineinu veyikaru lefanecha zechuyoseinu..

Secondly is Rubia (Lubia) (Fenugreek, but can also be recited over carrots). The first blessing recited is the blessing over vegetables. This word is reminiscent of the Hebrew word “yirbu”, or increase, may our merits increase.
Blessing: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu sheyirbu zechuyoteinu..

According to Sefardic custom, small beans are eaten. The letters of the word Lubia hint to the words “lev” and “rav” – many hearts. The first blessing recited is over vegetables, the second is recited thus: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Anonai Eloheinu Ve’Elohei Avoseinu sheyirbu zechuyoseinu vetilabiveinu (hearten us)..

Third is Karsi (leeks or cabbage), which sounds like the word “kareis”, meaning “cut off/destroy”, may our enemies be destroyed.
Blessing: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu sheyikartu soneinu..

According to Sefardic custom: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu sheyikartu oyveinu vesoneinu vekol mevakshei ra’aseinu..

Then comes Silka (beets or spinach) which sound like “siluk” meaning “removal”. We request that our enemies be removed.
Blessing: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu sheyistalku oyveinu umastineinu..

According to Sefardic custom: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu sheyikartu oyveinu vesoneinu vekol mevakshei ra’aseinu..

The fifth food is Tamni (dates) which sound like “tamu”, or be consumed, may our adversaries be consumed.
Blessing: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu sheyitamu soneinu..

The Blessing according to Sefardic custom: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu V’Elohei Avoseinu, Sheyitamu Oyveinu vesoneinu vekol mevakshei ra’aseinu..

We also eat honey which is sweet, requesting a sweet new year, and dip apple slices in honey asking that G-d send us a good and sweet year.
Blessing: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu shetichadesh aleinu Shana Tova Umetuka..

According to Sefardic custom one dips the apple in honey and recites: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu shetichadesh aleinu shana tova umetuka kedvash..

A pomegranate is also eaten, as we pray that our merits increase as the seeds of a pomegranate. This fruit is also symbolic of bounty and is one of the Seven Species of the Land of Israel.
Blessing: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu sheyirbu zechuyoteinu cerimon..

According to Sefardic custom: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu sheniyhiyeh meleim mitzvos carimon..

There is a prayer requesting that we be always the head and never the tail. According to Sefardic tradition, the head of a ram is eaten (the meat of the cheek). Ashkenaz custom is to eat the head of a fish. Another prayer said over eating the head of a fish is that we be fruitful and multiply like fish.
Blessing: Yehi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu VeElohei Avoseinu sheniheyeh lerosh velo lezanav..

According to Sefardic custom when eating the head of a ram: Vetizkor lanu akeidaso ve’eilo shel Yitzchak avinu ben Avraham avinu aleihem hashalom..

How to de-seed a pomegranate quickly and easily:
Ever wonder how to enjoy the delicious pomegranate seeds without having them fly in all directions, leaving magenta stains on your walls! Here’s an easy and clean method for removing these arils.
Make a cut in the pomegranate around the center in width (not from the crown). Pry the pomegranate apart and hold one half over a bowl, seeds facing down. Gently knock the outside peel with the back of a large spoon and the arils will start falling into the bowl. Continue for a few seconds until all the seeds have fallen out. Enjoy!.

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